S-Works now a Fred-Works
Posted January 18th, 2007 in Culture, Tech, Review
You Tube video of the bike.
I’ve been threatening this for some time now and finally got around to doing the dirty deed - turning my neglected three year old Specialized E5 S-Works road bike into a brand new Fred-Works E5 not quite flat bar commuting speed machine. Everything pretty well stayed the same except for a major front end overhaul which rejuvenated the Fred-Works and immediately turned it into my bike de jour.
Digging the whole urban cycling thing, I’ve looked at getting my hands on a flat bar road bike, but the gearing was a bit underdone for my tastes (I’m washed up but not that far gone yet), and I liked the idea of still being able to turn over the 53 from time to time - just to keep my legs honest and scare the old ladies - and the 39×23 granny is still a pretty easy gear to ride up any hill in Sydney.
Now some purists will probably think this conversion heralds the end times, but I wanted to do it not only because it could be done, but because I knew it would be a fun ride and fits nicely with the concept of re- purposing older unused equipment toward new uses.
Removed were the nine speed Shimano Ultegra STI levers, road bars and Speedplay X2 pedals, replaced with Easton EA50 risers, Avid Speed Dial SL brake levers, ODI Rogue lock on grips, Shimano SL-R660 nine speed flat bar shifters and Crank Brothers Eggbeaters Cro-Mo pedals. Kept were stem, carbon seat post, Vittoria rubber, the rest of the Ultegra groupset, Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheelset and my favourite perch, the Fizik Arione saddle.
It’s an interesting sensation riding a bike formerly designed for a specific task, now adapted for another. Judging by the Fred-Works handling with this setup I’m prepared to say that it handles even better as an almost flat bar road bike than a racing bike, at least when I’m playing in the traffic, a consequence brought on by the wider risers and the higher sit up and beg riding position. Also noticeable was the amazing ramp up in braking power with the Speed Dial lever/Ultegra caliper combination - a scary surprise the first time I grabbed a handful. Overall handling is as precise and responsive as the old set up with the bike feeling just a bit lighter.
This is an easy and relatively inexpensive conversion for roadies who may have an old Shimano nine speed road rig sitting in the shed unloved, or anyone looking to purchase one second hand in order to ride around town commuter style. Give it a try, it’ll be great fun to ride and and interesting exercise in understanding the dynamics of bicycle design.
technorati tags: cycling, bicycles, specialized,
What others have to say…
Somewhat. But not really, slightly different angles that mean this is way more suitable for the purpose. Road bikes are no problem, steep angled TT bikes are another matter.
Don’t think I didn’t point this out to Phil before he did it 
Fredopsys anyone ?
But how can anyone claim hypocrisy when there is none here?
To reiterate, it’s a different bike more suited to this kind of conversion, and remember:
……because I knew it would be a fun ride and fits nicely with the concept of re- purposing older unused equipment toward new uses.
Sorry boys, no where to go for you here on that point except to take the piss. Which is ok BTW.
Bloody readers always looking to trip you up…..!
Who said I was doing anything other than taking the piss 
I knew you were, just closing down any possible charges of hypocrisy……gotta be on constant alert to you smarties.
So what do you think……..isn’t she pretty?
“Fred-works” — love that
I personally don’t like flat bars — I really like resting my hands on the hoods, and flat bars just feel ‘wrong’ to me, and for longer distances they’re mighty uncomfortable. For mountain biking, they’re the right tool. For city riding, it’s a little more debatable
Those frames are pretty ace- I’d almost say too good for a commuter.
Here’s an idea for a challenging blog post: how to build up a single speed commuter for under $500.
Phil you’re an industry man- surely you would have some ideas to get the masses commuting at a reasonable price.
January 19th, 2007 at 10:33 am
True Fritz, but my commute is only a short 12k each way, something I cover in about 35-40 minutes depending on the traffic flow and how feisty I’m feeling. But they are perfect for urban riding as far as I’m concerned where there is a lot of stop start action.
True too Timboy, the bike is too good to be a flatbar, but it’s a good way for me to ride the thing because it was just sitting there. It’s great fun to ride too.
The $500 challenge? Easy, just get a Giant CRX4 flat bar road bike, it’s around $595. Out of the box and ready to go.
But I know what you really mean, so I’ll take a stab at it shortly.
Is that AUD, or USD? My Trek 1000 was about USD600 a few years ago, and that’s a geared road bike. I’ve seen singlespeed 29ers in that price range on sale. I imagine it wouldn’t be too hard to make a singlespeed flat bar commuter for that price.
AUD Fritz, I agree, it’s an easy one to do.
I’m with Fritz on preferring drops but that’s a real head turner you’ve put together there. Well done and hope it gives you lots of fun!
Phil- If you can do the sub-$500 commuter I will build it.
The only ingredients I would insist upon are a san marco rolls saddle, and shimano spd road pedals- I’ll leave the rest to you.
The only objection I would have to the Giant CRX is that it costs a lot to maintain and keep on the road compared to a singlespeed.
I can provide the saddle and pedals- everything else for under $500
I’ll do tyres and tubes as well.
fixed gear or singlespeed, but I would probably prefer fixed.
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:54 pm
I’m getting there, just give me a minute will ya?
No rush
February 20th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Ihave been fortunate enough to be given two frames over the last few years and found two on the side of the road,each of these was built into ridable geared and single speed bikes through donations of parts and bits I had lying about for under 500 bucks.
I think the cheapest was $70 for a new fork and headset.
A friend did a fixed conversion on a found
frame for $200 odd
February 20th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Oh,and by the way Phil,that is a hot machine.I’d ride it!
I’m looking to do the flat bar conversion to an older CAAD 5 Cannondale. When I looked up the SL-R660 Shifters, they’re only compatible with the R4443 Front Derailleur which is for a triple. Any suggestions for shifters compatible w/ my std Ultegra double?
I used the standard Ultegra FD Gregg so I know it should work
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Sounds a bit like this that you vetoed!
http://www.spinopsys.com/archives/770