Elio Trapani wrote...
Before:

Ollie Allen wrote...
Real nice ride. Did you have to use an eno hub to get the chain tight or are you one of those lucky people? Southampton. There a few of us here. Haven't been riding as much recently thougfh as I snapped the dropouts on my aqua machine. I have something in pipe line though. :) You're from SOuthsea?

Ollie Allen wrote...
Why's your aerospoke not as useful?

Elio Trapani wrote...
Thank you. Chain tension isn't a problem as the drops are vertical. I would have gotten some track dropouts welded onto the frame but I couldn't part with the Campagnolo chrome drops that were already on there. I sourced the bike from your way, a guy on ebay with one too many projects on the go. Damn that's sad about the dropouts on your frame. You could get them repaired? Last time I was in Southampton I saw a couple of people on Fixed Gear bikes; a nice white lugged frame from memory. Is there a good scene? Yeah I'm from Southsea, there's some guys who set up the Southsea Fixed Gear Fight Club around but I haven't had the courage to mingle. They'd probably snuff and mock my lack of skills. The Aeropoke is well known for being a bit of a fashion accessory and not really useful on the roads, but like you said on your Tri Spoke there's less drag. Gets a hell of a lot of attention!

Ollie Allen wrote...
Aerospokes are dope. If you want to swap just let me know!? There were three of us in Southampton last summer. Dan - Bianchi Pista, Duncan Raleigh Record Sprint conversion and me Dawes conversion (now dead) but I also have a white Schwinn Madison. The Schwinn doesn't have nice lugs though so I guess you may have seen some other scally. Dan now lives in Sweden but a mate of mines just bought a Dolan so there's three again. When the weathers better we're gonna have a regular night ride so you're welcome to come up here and join in...? Peace

Matt Howarth aka. hellomatt wrote...
Tidy build man, you done a good job!! Where'd you get the Aerospoke from?

Elio Trapani wrote...
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/olliebopsa/] Yeah I'd be up for some of that Ollie, not sure how I'd get to Southampton but I've been meaning to go all over the place to meet fellow fixed riders. Keep me updated… maybe we could get a big South Coast ride on the go? [http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellomatt/] Cheers Matt, the Aerospoke I got off ebay. It was painted black but I had it prepped and repainted not only to go with the build but because Aerospoke paint finishes are terrible. If you were interested in one I'd recommend getting a unpainted carbon composite and getting it painted.

Matt Howarth aka. hellomatt wrote...
I keep an eye out for one on the bay now and then, just dunno if i could afford a brand spanking new one....

Ollie Allen wrote...
How much did you pay for the repaint? I am thinking of getting the trispoke painted white but don't really know where to start. Big South Coast ride would be sick.

Elio Trapani wrote...
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellomatt/] The guy I bought mine off was in Amsterdam, so I didn't have to go through paying customs, that's the biggest killer. I emailed KingKog before I bought mine on ebay and they said they would ship to the UK, despite their web site saying otherwise. They might do a customs 'gift' for you? If that fails, Brick Lane Bikes had them in stock as well but they'll have your trousers down with their prices! [http://www.flickr.com/photos/olliebopsa/] Nada, my brother works in a car bodyshop and he painted the wheel and frame for me, it made the build that bit sweeter. It goes to show that it's quite a simple job though, there's tutorials on Flickr of somebody painting an Aerospoke. [http://www.flickr.com/photos/donalrey/sets/72157605546167121/]