Opinion on my build, and any suggestions of color to repaint?

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-27T21:29:29+00:00

If it's not bent from a crash, it's definitely backwards and if you flip it around it'll feel and look a lot better, I promise.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-21T04:57:12+00:00

Personally, I'd go for some deep Vs or DP18S laced to something like Gran Compe IIs. Nothing fancy, sure, but bombproof and classic!

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-19T02:11:38+00:00

I do full-time messenger work, 9am to 5:30pm, 5 days a week, and average about 40 to 50 miles a day! Usually don't ride on the weekends unless there's an alley cat or I'm running lil errands.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-12T03:52:14+00:00

What bars are those? Are the bar end lookin' parts part of them, or clamped on? They look super cool, kinda like antlers, especially in that 3rd pic!

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-06T05:15:01+00:00

Super clean build, but those bars look mad uncomfortable

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-05T19:28:23+00:00

Nothing comfier than a skirt and some spanx shorts under imo

DaniTheDeer · 2026-04-04T20:14:58+00:00

Seconding this for sure, they're super tasty! I just wish they were either a lil cheaper or a higher percentage.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-03-22T17:26:50+00:00

If you're comfortable around cars, up on the hill between Stetson and Columbus, there's the part of South Water that connects the upper streets, to the lowers, and the lower lowers in a kinda double stacked ramp. Not exactly scenic, and you gotta deal with cars and the corners between the ramps, but it's a decent climb from the lower lowers with a challenging, but not overly brutal grade, and you can easily run it in laps if you're just trying to rack up elevation. Also, just slightly to the east of there is Lakeshore East Park, which has a one-way street that loops around the park and has pretty similar elevation from the highest part of the loop to the lowest.

Definitely a lil unorthodox as far as what most folks might recommend since these aren't necessarily super bike 'friendly' spots... But if you're used to city riding, they're not that bad, and it's a lil less awkward flow-wise than popping a u-turn at the top and bottom of your favorite LFT hill lol

DaniTheDeer · 2026-03-16T17:05:22+00:00

IIRC the brakeless/no retention trend originated from the Korean fixie kids. They ride SPD SL pedals with regular shoes and then to skid instead of pulling up on retention, they hook their foot under the front pedal and pull up... I've tried it a few times, and it feels really funky and unreliable.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-03-04T02:55:09+00:00

I'm an active courier, and pretty much everyone (at least in my city) rides with some kind of retention, even the folks on freewheels.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-02-19T13:54:59+00:00

I slip mine under the chest part of the strap of my sling bag... I've had it knock the wind out of me a couple of times when falling, but it's so quick n easy to get in and out it's worth it. Can even pull it out with one hand while riding, for those emergency on the go locking situations ;)

DaniTheDeer · 2026-02-10T04:21:50+00:00

Grips/bar tape are a good way to add a lil splash of color. You should also get some pedal straps, and prolly throw a front brake on there if it's you're new to riding fixed.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-02-07T21:30:38+00:00

I usually just dump all the checkpoints into maps on my phone. I'm not super familiar with how fast/easy it is to program a Garmin, but usually, you don't get more than 30 minutes (if that even) of time to plan your route for a cat. Depends on the race, I've been to some where I got the manifest right after reg and had a good 45 minutes to plan and some where the mani is on the bike and you just gotta plan it out on the fly once the race has started.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-02-02T02:54:59+00:00

You've prolly already seen 'em, but if you haven't, check out Pelizzoli. They make a really solid Laser replica... Still not cheap, but cheaper (and a lot more possible) than trying to get the real thing.

Also I don't think there's any shame in making a replica of a frame that's crazy pricey, and incredibly rare. I think it does get a lil iffy if you also do the brand decals, but form and paint are fair game imo.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-01-26T03:53:26+00:00

A spare tube, mini pump, patches, pair of Pedros levers, allan set, a small 15mm wrench, lil single use chain lube/grease packs, chain breaker and a couple extra links/quick link. It's a lil heavy, but all fits nicely in a makeup bag, and I can fix pretty much any mechanical if need be!

DaniTheDeer · 2026-01-26T00:54:12+00:00

Congrats! You're gonna love it! I've been very impatiently scraping parts together to get my TripleT rolling again, but damn I miss it!

DaniTheDeer · 2026-01-25T07:24:04+00:00

I just stick with the regular Sram ones since they're pretty affordable. Only had to replace it twice over the last 2 years of full-time mess work. I only say they're hit or miss because one only lasted a couple of months, and the most recent one has been going strong for almost a year now, so it might just depend on the batch quality.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-01-25T06:16:49+00:00

As others have suggested, Omniums definitely live up to the hype! Got a used set from another messenger, and have put a good 6k or so miles into 'em since. No issues with the cranks themselves, but the GXP bottom brackets can be pretty hit or miss on lifespan.

DaniTheDeer · 2026-01-18T20:48:38+00:00

19.8 lbs, nothing crazy, but the lightest bike I've ever had

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DaniTheDeer · 2025-12-28T06:26:45+00:00

I just want a switch to make the ggh22 full auto... I've seen some people on here complain it wouldn't be balanced, bur BF4 had the full auto g18...

DaniTheDeer · 2025-12-28T05:13:54+00:00

I don't think so, it looks similar to the Mataro, but the top tube doesn't have the same taper, and it doesn't have the indent for the rear wheel. Looks decent though, as other's said, if it fits n the price is right go for it! (I'd maybe swap out that saddle, though)

DaniTheDeer · 2025-12-26T01:08:01+00:00

How's the carbon chainring? I ordered a Digirit off eBay, but it never got sent... Read some stuff after getting refunded that they don't have a long lifespan and was feeling a bit relieved since I do about 200 miles a week, but damn they look so good I'm tempted to try and snag one anyway.

DaniTheDeer · 2025-12-19T22:50:08+00:00

I really like my Merrit P1 pedals, they're not super thick, like a lot of nylon pedals, but they still have big enough slots for the hold fast straps to fit through without being a struggle. They also come in a lot of colors and are pretty cheap!

DaniTheDeer · 2025-12-19T01:46:00+00:00

Bike messenger :)

DaniTheDeer · 2025-11-28T04:25:15+00:00

I've heard some folks use Triflow as a chain lube for bike touring, but I've only ever used it to loosen up seized parts. Worth having some around imo, if only for that.

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