Do you change your own chain rings? Is it hard to do. I've always guessed that the tightest bolts in the world must be crank arm bolts and submarine rivets. I'm just asking because they seem to be giving crank arms away on Ebay; a set of Ultegra's or Chorus for about 30 bucks. What do you think.

Also do you have any favorite online sources for buying fixed/single speed stuff?

Thank you,
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1) Businesscycles (http://businesscycles.com/) for excellent selection of top components, followed by 2) Harris Cyclery for info (Sheldon Brown) and wide selection, followed by 3) Nashbar (great hubs, cranks, BBs and everything else real cheap). Good luck.

I do and I am a puny 130 pound 5'11" rider.

So if I can do it, I think most people can.

It's all about the right tools. Some cranks require a crank puller tool to remove the arm while others are self extracting cranks where all you need is the right size hex tool. Make sure the tool has a good size length arm so you can generate enough leverage to loosen the crank.

Chain rings are a snap. Hex tool on the outside and a chain ring spanner-like tool on the inside and that's it.

Cranks and chainrings are easy, it's pedal removal that gets me ;)

Do you change your own chain rings? Is it hard to do. I've always guessed that the tightest bolts in the world must be crank arm bolts and submarine rivets. I'm just asking because they seem to be giving crank arms away on Ebay; a set of Ultegra's or Chorus for about 30 bucks. What do you think.

Also do you have any favorite online sources for buying fixed/single speed stuff?

Thank you,
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Crank arms are given away because the rings are the wear points and they are expensive. It is easier to buy a new set of cranks with rings and then sell the arms off.

Everything you could ever want to know about wrenching on your bike is at the park website...makes buying one of those "how to fix your bike" books a complete waste of money. EVERYTHING is on their website...print out what you need, take it down to the garage, and have some fun.

if you can turn a wrench, you are capable of pulling cranks and removing the rings. you can do it!!!! :) buy the right tools and you are good to go.

After a while you get to the point that you won't trust anyone to work on your bike but yourself.

Pulling cranks isn't too bad...just remember to remove the bolt before trying to pull them. I tried doing it without removing the bolt one time, and it didn't work too well.

I'd rather do that than change a chainring...I always tear the crap out of my knuckles. Those stupid little tools that hold the back of the chainring bolt in place while tightening the allen key side suck.

...I always tear the crap out of my knuckles...

Good point. Wear leather work gloves if you have any laying around the garage. I know a shop mechanic with some nasty scares from slipping on wrenches and cutting themselves on chainrings.

I do and I am a puny 130 pound 5'11" rider.

Geez man. Have a cheeseburger ;).

I'm 5' 11" and about 160 lbs. (Under 160 these days, but not by much.) and figured I was pretty slim. You're giving me a complex over here.

Does this fixie make my ass look fat?

Must be a hell of a climber eh?

-Trevor

Geez man. Have a cheeseburger ;)

Trust me... I've had many cheeseburgers from In-N-Out to Fat Burgers to Johnny Rockets, nothing works on me. It's these skinny Vietnamese genes that I have inherited and an upbringing of rice, veggies and fish.

I've even resorted to those nasty tasting Joe Wieder Muscle Mass 3000 shakes where each shake was 1000 calories and you drink three a day in supplement to meals. I think I only gained 10 pounds after drinking that horrid stuff for a whole summer.

I come from family of just thin folks. In my adult years now, I have just accepted it and consider it blessing in disguise.

It is funny when I walk into the local triathlon store to buy brake cables or something and people assume I am some dedicated Iron Man racers because of my thin build and ask me about if I am racing in the next triathlon. I say, "No, I am just a commuter cyclist"

Thanks everybody. I appreciate the help.
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Sounds like you need some Beefcake 3000.

BEEFCAKE! BEEFCAKE!