#ProjectOneGear – Building My Dream Fixie

This is the first of a series of articles covering a fixed gear project bike. Check back for more on the build process and reviews of all the gear we use in the project.

I’ve always been curious about riding a fixed gear bike. There is something very pure about it. No shifters, no derailleurs, no freehubs, just the chainring, rear cog, and chain, using your legs to control your speed. I’ve had a single speed before, a Felt Breed that was my introduction to cyclocross, but it had a freewheel on the back that allowed me to coast when needed. So, I decided to pick a cheap commuter and dive into the fixie life.

If you are thinking about taking the plunge into buying a single speed/fixed gear bike, there are some decisions you’ll need to consider. The biggest is the type of frame, one with horizontal dropouts, maybe a vintage frame with long, semi-horizontal dropouts, or even a more modern frame with short dropouts. Horizontal dropouts are the standard for track bikes and many time trial bikes, but long, semi-horizontal dropouts still give you some room to adjust chain tension. You can also use eccentric hubs or bottom brackets, or chain tensioners to convert modern road frames. From there, it’s a matter of finishing the build to your preference. It could be drop bar, flat bar, bull horns, fixed gear, single speed, or a flip-flop hub allowing you to ride both, what gear combination, etc. It can be a little daunting, but it can also be a ton of fun, allowing you to express your creativity and create the bike that is perfect for you. You can buy complete bikes for just a few hundred dollars for a basic, entry level bike, or spend into the thousands for a track ready beast.

For me, it has been a bit of an evolution. On a whim, I picked up a Retrospec Beta from Facebook Marketplace for cheap from a local guy. It’s a value-oriented bike, but I wasn’t looking for anything special. Unfortunately, though, even after I swapped out the stem to a 130mm, and extended the seat post to the max line, the frame was just too small. I like a small frame, but this was probably two sizes small for a 6’ tall rider.

I was keeping an eye out, and happened to find someone with a 6KU Urban Track that was looking to swap for a smaller frame. The 6KU was a much better fit, and the Retrospec worked for him, so everyone was happy on a bike that fit them.

The 6KU Urban Track is a 6061-aluminum frame and fork. The geometry and aero shaped downtube show the track inspired design of the bike. It is another value-oriented bike, retailing at $399 new. Components wise, it is nothing special, but, it fit, which is the most important part of any bike.

Once I had it home, it was time to make it my own. I went to work right away with parts from the spare parts bin. That meant adding brakes and levers, swapping the stem, post, saddle, and moving to a drop bar. It didn’t end there. Eventually, I swapped the fork, crank, pedals, bottom bracket, tires, and added pedals straps. The only thing that was still stock was the headset, wheelset, and the frame.

The more I rode the bike, the more I enjoyed it. At first, I was a little intimidated to go fixed, even with brakes, so I started with the freewheel. Then one day I flipped the wheel and went fixed and haven’t looked back. I still have the brakes onto be safe, but I try to use them as little as possible.

That’s how #ProjectOneGear started, and here is where it is going. While maybe someday I’ll find a Cannondale Track frame or Bianchi Super Pista, the 6KU punches well above its price. It might not be the lightest, but it’s still stiff and fun to ride. So why not build it up the way I want to?

There were two directions I could go, lightweight or practical. Since it is my commuter, I figured practical is the way to go, but I wanted to make sure it was fun too. That’s when I started reaching out to some friends to see what we could put together.

So here is the planned build:

• Frame – 6KU Urban Track
• Fork – Airwolf full carbon rim brake fork
• Headset – FSA
• Handlebars – TBD, but for now, the stock riser bar.
• Handlebar Bag – Ornot Handlebar Bag
• Grips – SQLab 711 Tech & Trail 2.0
• Stem – Paul Components Boxcar
• Post – Paul Components Tall and Handsome
• Saddle – SQLab 612 Ergowave R
• Brakes – Paul Components Racer Medium with Funky Monkey Cable Hangers
• Levers – Paul Components e-Lever
• Crank – Essor Aerodash
• Chainring – TBD
• Bottom Bracket – TBD
• Pedals – VP VP-503
• Pedal Straps – Restrap Pedal Straps
• Hubs – Paul Components High Flange Hubs
• Chain – Izumi or YBN with Finish Line Halo Wax
• Cog – Shimano Dura Ace SS-7600
• Freewheel – TBD
• Spokes – Pillar Wing
• Rims – DT Swiss
• Tires – Hutchinson
• Accessories – Knog Scout, Wahoo ELEMNT

The white frame is nice, but it does have some scratches I’d like to cover up, so the plan is to follow Spray.Bike’s instructions on sanding the frame and cleaning it thoroughly, and then repainting it. I also picked up a few of their paint pens to add 6KU branding back to the bike, but also add a special touch that you’ll have to wait and see. From there, I’ll build it back up, and have some fun.

We have a handful of articles planned for this build. Part one will be stripping it, painting it, and rebuilding it, along with why I chose the parts I did. We’ll also have review articles for all the Paul Components parts we use, another for the wheel build, and another for the rest of the non-Paul parts. Follow us on Instagram at @bikeworldnews to follow the build, and watch for the future articles.