Rims/tyres/crankset/BB questions from the UK :-)

[seadragon]

Hi All,

This is probably the site to ask, so here goes with the silly questions. Not the site for silly questions but for bike help .

I have a Felt Cruiser (Little B) and want to custom it a bit. I currently have on Brooks Plump grips and a Brooks Team Pro Vans saddle but have more to do. The last owner put on some non-original skinny rims about 35mm, with 24x3 Thick Bricks but I hate the rims. I want to make them as wide as possible and I am told I can go up to about 63mm on my Little B but will be happy with anything from 50-60mm (2 - 2.5in).

Can someone please recommend a place I can get some extra wide rims, Felt or otherwise and front hub as on the Felt Cruisers, Double Star I think its called. I am in the UK and finding Felt parts is hard as I cant get any help from the distributor or dealers as they dont have a clue about Cruisers or are not willing to bother to help.

I also want some really aggressive looking fat/slick tyres and so far the ones they look the part are the 3G bikes Hoggy G, (24x345 I think). There is a Felt Chief on here with some cool slicks but I cant get the guy who has the bike to reply to my message, so I assume he doesnt want to tell me what he got for the bike . Since I am in the UK I wont be cramping anyones style.

I my main question thought is the one pc crank. I want to replace it with a 3pc set and dont know what to do. I am informed that a BMX crankset will fit as they are the same BB size but I would prefer a MTB crankset but I believe I need to covert the BB somehow. I have some new 9/16 pedals and want the crankset to fit those. I obviously dont know what I am talking about and would appreciate any help/insight.

Many thanks

Seton

 

[MplsCoaster]

Hey Seton,
Not silly questions at all, and this is a great place for help
Try this shop in Germany, trying to remember who posted the link (from your side of the pond)
http://classic-cycle.de/en/home/
I really want some of the stuff they have. You may need an offset hub gear (which they have too)

Quite a few people have done a 3 piece swap so I'm not the only source
Parts don't have to be too expensive either, Not sure about Felt conversion, Here's mine
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=39726&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15
Adapter was about $20, BB for $20, Origin 8 crank set for $65,and used chain ring for $10
Shouldn't have the same tube/frame problems I did. Measure well before ordering.
Or try a search in the RRB Build Offs from the past, I'm sure its here somewhere...

Maybe post some pics so we can see what you're thinking
Good Luck!

 

[seadragon]

Great, many thanks, I will post a pic or 2. I see you are in the Twin Cities, I lived there from 1998-2001, in NE. Mpls, then Golden Valley and Crystal

I think I have a pic in the Felt bicycles pics thread but I will take pic of the crank etc .I might have resource in the UK on a BB and crank and although their stuff isnt cheap some of it looks good and is good quality(http://www.customriders.com). I will still shop around through, I am not in any rush, its my winter project.

I have found another site in Germany last night that sells Felt cruisers and other cruiser bits and their prices are pretty good, shipping costs too. I cant remember what they are called as I am at work now but I can get a Felt Red Baron 2012 shipped to the UK for about 40% less than if I bought it through a Felt dealer here in England, not bad. They have about 8 different Felt Cruisers for sale, incl the new Shelby, which I already have.

I really want the 50mm Felt rims and double 5-star hub too, so hopefully when the U.K. Felt distributor is back from Christmas break I can get him to order me some bits or I will need to find a place in the USA to order them from

Thanks again, I will post a pic or 2 later

Hey Seton,
Not silly questions at all, and this is a great place for help
Try this shop in Germany, trying to remember who posted the link (from your side of the pond)
http://classic-cycle.de/en/home/
I really want some of the stuff they have. You may need an offset hub gear (which they have too)

Quite a few people have done a 3 piece swap so I'm not the only source
Parts don't have to be too expensive either, Not sure about Felt conversion, Here's mine
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=39726&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=15
Adapter was about $20, BB for $20, Origin 8 crank set for $65,and used chain ring for $10
Shouldn't have the same tube/frame problems I did. Measure well before ordering.
Or try a search in the RRB Build Offs from the past, I'm sure its here somewhere...

Maybe post some pics so we can see what you're thinking
Good Luck!

 

[gcrank1]

Just a thought, if those Felt prices are all that good, maybe you could buy one with the wheels you want and 'customize both bikes out, then sell the other?
Silly question for you , if your LBSs dont want to deal/talk criusers, what are they into these days (just a curious Yank with some old Brit bikes)?
And BTW, Ive been wondering about that crank stuff too for my GT Dyno Deuce.

 

[seadragon]

Hiya gcank1

Your thought on the German site is pretty fair, I have attached a link below.

The bike scene here in the UK is pretty varied, road/TT bikes, touring, mountain bikes, BMX's and there is a relatively strong Chopper/Musclebike scene, some of them are members of this forum but Chopper owners here dont seem to back up the cruiser guys. Most cruiser owners tend to be posers at classic VW car shows/meets who use their bikes to accessorise their beetles or vans.

With regards to the old brit bikes the scene is a lot better. I am a member of the club, link below (Veteran Cycle Club) and they have loads of info on old bikes, history, also another members only library with details info on some bikes, books, badges etc etc. They also go on lots of rides. It mainly caters to bikes from the 80's and earlier, lightweights etc etc. You might find it of interest if you want to take a look.

I have a contact in the US (CA) who is a Felt Specialist and besides selling stock bikes, he also customises them a lot too. He has replied to me and can supply what I need, ie, 3pc crankset, Felt double 5-star front hub, slick tires on 24in x 2.5in/65mm black rims with 12 gauge spokes. Thats exactly what I need. I might need to sell one of my others Cruisers to fund it but I will try to hang onto all 3 of my bikes

I will be sure to keep you all updated and thanks for the help so far.


http://www.profirad.de/
http://www.v-cc.org.uk/

Just a thought, if those Felt prices are all that good, maybe you could buy one with the wheels you want and 'customize both bikes out, then sell the other?
Silly question for you , if your LBSs dont want to deal/talk criusers, what are they into these days (just a curious Yank with some old Brit bikes)?
And BTW, Ive been wondering about that crank stuff too for my GT Dyno Deuce.

 

[seadragon]

Going to get my wheels built in the US I think, if I can get the guy to reply to emails. Size as in my last post.

I am agonising over crankset though, any ideas on brands/makes that look cool, retro? I want to give my Felt nice clean, vintage/retro looks. Everything on the bike is either silver/stainless or black. I would like something that would stick to the theme.

Brands of cranksets I am looking at are: Middleburn, FSA, All City, Octane, Stronglight, Premium, True, Sturmey Archer, Gusset, Truvativ.

I am happy to get some advice tips if someone had any tips on others out there. The ones on the link are the top contender so far

http://www.customriders.com/prodshow.as ... nt=0&sid=3

 

[seadragon]

Well here goes so far: Had to order rims from the USA, hard to find what I wanted in the UK and Europe and although my LBS is supportive, they dont quite 'get it'. Cruiser scene mostly non-existant here in the UK so they think I am a bit eccentric.

Well so far have fitted the Brooks Team Pro 'Vans' saddle and the Brook Plump grips (looks amazing).

I now have the bits below on order from my LBS (to be fitted next week):

All-City Wallner Track Pro pedal (black/silver)
http://www.ison-distribution.com/englis ... rt=PDAYWPD

Salsa seat clamp
http://www.ison-distribution.com/englis ... t=SCSAT06B

Middleburn RS7 Uno crankset and 38T Chainring
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits ... delID=3348

Have had to order Felt rims and hubs from Motostrano in the US and next week will get my order in for 3G Hoggy G tyres (from Germany). Once the rims arrive I want to get them powdercoated, hopfully in a dark bronze or copper. I am also getting stem spacers that look awesome, getting them fitted next week

Will post some pics next weekend if anyone wants to see

 

[gcrank1]

Thats some nice stuff Seton, its going to look great!

 

[seadragon]

Cheers Blake, I hope so, I guess you dont know what it will look like until you try. It might look a right mess but at least it will be unique .