Single Speed

Before The Bullfight

• Owner: noca
• Country: Portugal
• Brand: Noca
• Model: Before the Bullfight
• Posted: 19 August 2010

About this bike

My name is Noca. I’m from Portugal and this is my first single speed built.
Frame: Columbus cromolly doppio spessore
Fork: Columbus cromolly
Front wheel: Mavic Aksium Race
Rear wheel: Mavic Aksium Race
Chainring: Shimano Deore-XT 44T (from 2000)
Crankset: Shimano Deore-XT 170mm
Chain tensioner: Point racing
Cog: Shimano Deore-XT 13T
Brake/lever: Miche/Primo BMX brake-lever
Handlebars: ITM classic (first time I cutted a handlebar)
Stem: PRO 80mm
Saddle: BBB cromo white

Now the history of the bike: I’m a BTT freak. Recently I found (internet) all the “single speed and fixies fever”. I’m a graphic designer and that subject is very common in all those “graphic sites” (like ffffound). Here in Portugal it’s very rare to see a single speed road bike. All the people I said that I was going to built one called me crazy. Well, that helped me to want one even more. I bought a road cromoly frame (columbus tubes) and cutted all the cable suports (for brakes and gears). Than I started to think about the name of the bike. It’s a “bullhorn bike” so I dicided to call it “before the bullfight” (it’s ONLY the name of my fav SONG. I’m a huge lover of David Sylvian’s music.). Recently i did a logo for a brand called BOLD. This bike is kinda a surprise for them (that’s why “concept by noca for bold” and the “B”).
Maybe some of you guys are wandering about the 44t x 13T ratio I use… I live in Aveiro (Portugal). That’s a town without hills. I love to ride the bike with this ratio but I’m already building a new single speed bike and i think i’m going to put a more “kind ratio” for my legs.

I’m addited to this now! Alot of people came to me and asked me about this “strange bike” (must remind you all that here in Portugal it’s very rare to see a single speed or fixed bike). I’m already making a new one. Than I’ll share it too here.