Constantine, Belt Drive & Used Bike Shopping? | Fixed Gear Q&A

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1. What are your thoughts on Constantine fixed gears? (0:33)
2. What’s your opinion on threaded to threadless stem adapters? (2:47)
3. Climbing is so much harder with a front load. Is it just me? (3:15)
4. Is there a difference between straight and curved blade forks? (4:18)
5. What would you recommend for keeping your stem and seatpost safe at lockups? (5:13)
6. Thoughts on belt drive singlespeed and fixed gear bikes? Is it faux pas in the fixed gear community? (6:04)
7. Are Continental Gatorskins good for skids as an effective way for stopping, not for looks? (7:54)
8. What would be the first thing to upgrade on a stock fixed gear such as a Pure Fix? (8:32)
9. What do you think about the Critical Harper with upgraded components? Is it worth, or am I putting money down the drain? (9:05)
10. How to valuate used bikes? (10:13)
11. How do you not over torque when working on your bike? How to tell what settings to use on a torque wrench? (11:13)

Constantine Bike Videos:
콘스탄틴 디스페랄 픽시자전거 2019년 제품 소개

Rob from FTWCRW x Constantinebikes 의 콘스탄틴 어베인 픽시영상

Song: Noir Et Blanc Vie - Straight Out Cold

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[ZachGallardo]

What’s your best advice for cycling in winter? I’ll compile the best advice into an upcoming video.

[jakehosfelt]

*Comfortable ride !! Easy to assemble my new **Latest.Bike** ! Looks cool, love the colors!! And getting me back in shape after years at the desk !! Get bike !!*

[JBVG]

I have a belt drive for almost two years and it's the best thing ever. No maintenance, no rust, no grease, no noise, still perfectly tight, never drops off. I never want a chain again.

[ZachGallardo]

Questions and timestamps for your convenience:

1. What are your thoughts on Constantine fixed gears? (0:33)
2. What’s your opinion on threaded to threadless stem adapters? (2:47)
3. Climbing is so much harder with a front load. Is it just me? (3:15)
4. Is there a difference between straight and curved blade forks? (4:18)
5. What would you recommend for keeping your stem and seatpost safe at lockups? (5:13)
6. Thoughts on belt drive singlespeed and fixed gear bikes? Is it faux pas in the fixed gear community? (6:04)
7. Are Continental Gatorskins good for skids as an effective way for stopping, not for looks? (7:54)
8. What would be the first thing to upgrade on a stock fixed gear such as a Pure Fix? (8:32)
9. What do you think about the Critical Harper with upgraded components? Is it worth, or am I putting money down the drain? (9:05)
10. How to valuate used bikes? (10:13)
11. How do you not over torque when working on your bike? How to tell what settings to use on a torque wrench? (11:13)

[grahamwid]

I ride fixed through Minnesota winter. 100+ miles per week. My tips for ice and snow:
1. RIDE FIXED. There are so many practical benefits of fixed gear bikes that are even more important in winter: low maintenance, minimal moving (or seizing) parts, direct and fail-proof braking, and an enhanced feel for tire traction
2. You probably don't need a new bike. But you do need a bike that has clearance for about 32c tires. Why? Because the smallest studded tires are 30c (45nrth brand) or 32c (nokian brand). And yes, you will need studs.
3. You need studs, but only on the front tire. If your front tire slips on ice, you'll hit the deck before you have time to react. If the rear slips, it's just a spontaneous skid.
4. Bar mitts. They are better than any gloves and pretty cheap. These have kept my hands warm at -10 degrees F.
5. Consider a winter beater. Winter slush and road salt will slowly rust and corrode every single component on your bike. You'll have to replace everything (from chain to frame) more frequently. So if you want to keep your "nice bike" nice, let it hibernate.
6. Gear way down. It is much harder to spin on snow. You might need to drop 10 gear inches.

[justineaves]

I'm a year-round Richmond Virginia and Washington DC single speed cyclist and here are my top five winter must-haves. 1. balaclava 2. Waterproof winter cycling gloves 3. Base layer medium and heavy 4. Neck Gator or buff and most important 5. Purchase 2 $6 Bell bicycle chain from Walmart or eBay and use one for the first two months of winter and the other for the last 2 months and then save them for spare.

[eduardolucio]

Every time I've been watched your videos I'm learning a lot. Not only about bikes, but also in style, history and culture.

[Crazybird]

I've been riding year-round in Wisconsin for 5 years. That's not that long, but I have figured out a lot of tricks from my own experience, older riders, and sheldon brown.

-riding single speed will greatly reduce the amount you have to clean your drivetrain
-riding fixed gear will prevent cable-freeze emergencies and further reduce your drivetrain maintenance
-riding brakeless will prevent you needing to clean your brakes and rims after every ride

WIND (in order of importance)
-cover your neck with a scarf or neck gaiter that has an elastic band on the top part. this allows you to cover your neck/chin/mouth/nose as necessary
-cover your ears
-tape the holes in your helmet; this is better than a hat or cycling cap
-wear ski goggles around the back of your helmet for those deep-winter, eye-freezing wind tunnels

TEMPERATURE
-your body will self heat. if your ride is more than a mile or two, you'll want to start your ride feeling cold. resist the temptation to bundle up.
-this^ does NOT apply to hands, feet, neck, or head
-hands are very difficult to keep warm. Bar Mitts work, but look ridiculous. a pair of thin 2-layer mittens with a glovelike liner works for me. cover those with bigg ass waterproof mittens and you're (probably) all set.
-sheldon says use clipless sandals and socks to keep the blood flowing in your feet. he recommends this in conjunction with full fenders, but i use hiking boots and toe clips & straps on wet days.
-you will need high-quality long socks. bombas or smartwool are my faves
-you can wear whatever pants, but to keep warmest i like jeans that are on the loose side, or flanel-lined jeans. soccer pants work ok

ICE
-having good balance will prevent you from wiping out in most cases. i run 28mm continental gatorskins and have stayed mostly dry and alive. experience with skidding will help you to stay up. there are maybe 2 rides per year where having a fat bike or winter tires would actually help; every other day they make you slow, heavy, and sweaty.
-there is usually enough road grit sprayed everywhere to keep your wheels down.
-running a bigger gear ratio will help you keep traction in heavy or wet snow

MAINTENANCE
-run an old drivetrain. for the winter, i use a chain that is stretched and a chainring and cog that are worn down. I lose efficiency, but i don't have to worry about the salt and sand on the road making my components any worse.
-either way, degrease and wet lube once a week.
-check your pressure every day
-reinstall your primary drivetrain, or treat your self to a new drivetrain, when the roads get swept in the spring.

SWEAT
-you will get hot during your ride
-wear a wool shirt, they wick moisture. sweaty cotton is dangerous, especially if you have to be outside for any amount of time not riding. sometimes a thick enough wool shirt can replace having to wear a coat altogether.
-avoid wearing a backpack. instead, use frame bags or panniers if you can afford them.
-pack a spare shirt if you can. this is in case yours gets too wet after your ride into work, for the ride home

MISCELLANEOUS TIPS
-you may think that having upper lip hair will keep your upper lip warm, but really it just lets nose condensation freeze onto your face
-having a spare bike will save you in any season
-get new tires at the beginning of winter every year, if you replace them that often.

and that's my fricken 8 dollars worth of pennies

[uwerthere]

Ive been saved by a $2 clear rain poncho that I leave in my bag a few times. They take up very little space are super light and are generally big enough to cover a backpack

[dirtjumpbikes]

Hey I ride in the winter everyday. My advice is to have a spare wheel with studs in the front. Don’t use derailers, use internal gear hub.

I bought the thermal goretex Windstopper pants From amazon, merino wool long sleeve Baselayer, and balkava mask, neck wormers, etc..
Most important was mittens. With 2 layers of gloves, I still couldn’t feel my fingers in -10 degrees Celsius with all the wind. I use mittens but it’s hard to use on the hoods or flat bars. I use them only on the drops and I can reach my brakes easily. Fenders are a must! racks with waterproof bag, I use Thule commuter bag and it was epic through all of winter biking to school. Lights are even more important since you need them in the day if it gets too dark and cloudy.

[benmagee]

For understanding the feel of over-tightening fixtures, get some old nuts and bolts and deliberately ruin them! Strip the threads, cross thread them, try mixing metric and imperial. That way you'll get to feel the way they behave when damage is occurring without ruining your day! :)

[lindzee]

This was the best video for me, by you, so far. It was packed full of answers to questions I had in my head. Thank you for this. I ride in winter snow and ice in Ohio and I choose my ride according to the snowfall and ice. I ride with fenders, when wet. I ride a mountain bike set up to single-speed for winter snow (with fenders and brakes). The fatter tires I can run lower pressure when necessary.

[wallonthefloor]

every video is good and old videos arent outdated love it!

[palicar]

For winter riding, shell out on quality base layers and thin, windproof gloves - maybe even a balaclava. Also, prepare for a drop in performance. All the grease in the bike will be like tar and the rubber that was supple in August will feel stiff and noisier. I get the coughs if I go too deep and start breathing heavily in cold weather. It's a great time to work on long-distance endurance at a lower intensity. An added bonus is the trails and paths are almost empty, but road debris is especially gritty. CHARGE YOUR LIGHTS!

[christophercarson]

hi my name is Christopher Herman and i live is Canada Saskatchewan and riding fixed is honestly the best in winter just have to take your time i road all winter on a 2015 back alley Raleigh completely stock didnt whip out once the connection between you and the bike really makes it easier than a coaster or casset a

[joshuamajeski]

For winter riding Schwalbe Marathon tires with studs are amazing on icy roads. 38c is what I use and I've never slid on ice (half-packed snow is another story). What I do when getting dressed for winter riding is:
T-shirt
Flannel
Fleece
Light windbreaker
These things keep me warm and sometime even sweat a little if it's not in the teens for temps. Face, fingers and feet are the defini g factors if your ride is a fun cruise in a wintry wonderland or a miserable slog through the frozen tundra. Double up socks, lined leather choppers and a face mask/hat combo covering as much skin as possible will save you from the kind of suffering you might associate with winter cycling

[timboha]

Clean your chain after every wet ride, you don’t have to do a full degrease and scrub clean, but at least run a wet sponge over it, then run it through a dry cloth A LOT!
it’s the drying bit that’s most important.
I then give it a quick squirt with GT85 or similar.
I only use a thin spray in winter, as I’m applying a little at the end of each day and the thick stuff just gunks up everything and attracts dirt.

[marshack]

Bar Mitts are a huge plus for winter cycling.

[manueldavila]

In New York winters are tough but what i do is put fenders on my bike the clip on one's in the front/rear wheels, and my essentials are sunglasses so your eyes don't dry in the cold, waterprove gloves, face mask so you don't get cold, and especially a beanie because the hoodies in the sweater doesn't turn with your head so you can't see back for cars or anything else and lastly judge how cold it is and wear something thermal under like a thermal under shirt or pants depending how cold it is, a good jacket that warms you up but is not to bulky or puffy to make riding feel uncomfortable. And keep your drivetrain clean so it doesn't feel crunchy to ride. Or if u have money to spend get a second beater bike, and protect your favorite bike lol.

[kaylinkelly]

A good tip for winter cycling is layers, gloves and fenders