I'm in the planning process of putting together a winter fixie bike which would be sympathetic to the style of this lovely Rene Herse:
http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/
The other visual template would be 1950s British path racer type bikes.
http://www.flickr.com/
The frame will be built next year but I'm starting to think about the build (and scouting for parts).
The bike is being built to be ridden in wet, dark conditions in Oregon. I'm short at 5'2 so I will most likely ask the builder to use 26" wheels.
I love the look of the Herse but I'm not married to the idea of finding French specific parts.
The bike will be visually austere: minimal braze-ons and no decals (save for the builders' head badge).
I'm seeking a suitable pair of high flange track hubs, polished rims (probably 26" since I'm short), mafac or guidonet brakes and seeking advice on bars, cranks (ta tevanos.. like those at velo orange?), stem, seatpost and other bits.
I'm not sure what to do about lighting at the moment.
I'm thinking I would like to use braze-on Mafac racers (or other recommended Mafac model).
Let me know your thoughts on the build w/ideas for specific parts and or frame details. And let me know if you have an parts for the project you might like to sell.
Regards,
Lesli Larson
Eugene, Or