EighthInch Full Review!
Posted by: kris on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 2:40 amA few weeks back i received a nice little package from Noah over at EighthInch. With the launch of their new site came an extension to their full line of fixed specific accessories to include everything from cogs and lockrings to cranks and chainrings. Ive had the better part of a month to use and abuse everything they sent out…the following is a complete review of their entire product line!
As im heavy into tricking, my bikes are usually set up so that i can hit spots no matter where i end up. However, a few months ago i parked the car and have been commuting by bike everywhere as well. That being said, and the fact that everyone enjoys long leisurely rides 
, I set up this stuff for both tricking and “just riding”…then rode it into the ground, threw it down stairs, ground it on ledges and took it on those necessary extended rides just to take it easy.
The Set Ups:
EighthInch Parts…
- 59cm V.2 Scrambler frameset (frame, headset, seat clamp & seatpost)
- 32 hole Julian wheelset
- Cog and lockring
- Crankset
EighthInch Parts…
- Same as above with the addition of the stock fork and Track Bars.
This frame is definitely a beast. Ive gapped stairs, jumped hips, hit banks and spun a plenty on this thing with no problems. The 4130 is stiff and responsive, with my particular build falling somewhere in the middle on weight. Its definitely easy to throw this thing around. The butted top tube added to the V.2 saves a bit a weight and gives you that bit of extra strength…a nice addition. Bottom bracket height was changed for this model as well, raising it good 10mm. Aside from when I lay my sorry ass out i never have a problem with pedal strike. At the moment im running 32c tires though ill be switching to 35’s soon. No doubt that they will easily fit in the rear.
Commuting is great as well. The geometry of the frame is indeed comfy when traveling long distances and power transfers well through the frame.
Stock fork that comes with the frameset is just as sturdy as the frame. I’ve totaled 4 other forks up till now…one in two days! I rode the stock fork hard for two weeks before switching to the Landing Gear. There we no signs of bending or cracking, not too much flex and it can even barspin a 23 or 25c tire. My only reason for changing it up was my preference for a straight fork for tricking!
Parts that come with the frameset are pretty decent as well. Havent had any issues with the headset, seatpost or clamp. Real cool to get all this with the frame for its price!
These come set up with DT Swiss spokes and Formula hubs…annnd they’re 42mm. Formula hubs, as “cheap” as they are, have never let me down. As a whole these have far surpassed my expectations and are still rolling true. Theyre damn light yet still beefy. With how hard i am on my bikes im usually tuning my wheels every few days. I dialed these in after the first ride and havent touched them since! Actually…i did snap a spoke nipple after whipping into a Charlie Brown statue, but thats my fault . Commuting to work and on the bike trial these perform well, they’re smooth rolling and respond well when cranking hard.
I not sure what it is but i really like these. Like really. I want a few to litter my desk with for paperweights…just so i can look at them haha. Im running a 16t though you can grab em from a 12t to a 20t. CNC machined and dipped. They’re solid. Not stamped. And ive seen no signs of wear. Enough said.
On a performance level, these delivered well. Not to flexy so they rode nice on long distances. Not quite as stiff as say BMX cranks, but they definitely still got down on tricks. 130 BCD so i could switch between my 42t messenger ring and the 46t stock chainring for longer rides. Not that everyone cares about colors…but these come in white! It seems some people have the hardest time getting white cranks for those “color coordinated” builds…problem solved. Comparable to other “entry level” cranks, but less $$…def cant beat ‘em for the price.
Not your typcical drop bar. The fit with the more modest drop was real comfy for the trail and around town. Im not trying to break records on my way to work so these were great…a good bar set up for feeling that little bit faster.
Dinked around with this little guy for a little bit and it held up real good. The stock fork just barely can’t clear barspins with the 32c tires i run. This surely takes care of that. Adds a good 20mm to your head tube so you can get those spins going. Also have a 1″ spacer that will be tested on another bike, as this setup is 1 1/8″, so expect a more extensive review to come. Discovered that, though likely not recommended, these can double as stem spacers when in a bind .
Tool:
This gets used often. Fits over the long axles on my wheels and gives you enough leverage without being cumbersome. I carried a 15mm pedal or adjustable wrench before, both of which were a bit heavier. Those stay in the toolbox while this adult beverage friendly device travels about. Even hung this from my keys at some shindigs so people would stop scratching up their beloved lighters 
.
All in all, EighthInch makes some damn fine products that do what their supposed to. Work…and for a not so heavy hit on the bank account. Check back for more reviews of their other products in the future!
Kris
Related posts:
- Eighthinch Proto Bars and Sprocket. Heres a few actual pictures (not from my phone) of...
- Eighthinch 48 Hole Julians! Talk about getting solid. Eighthinch just got these beasts in...
- Mounted: Eighthinch Protos. Heres a few shots of the Eighthinch bars and sprocket...
- Eighthinch Proto Stems. These are looking pretty sick! A possible addition to the...
- Eighthinch Proto Cranks. Here’s a sneak at some stuff in the works at...
what does everyone think?
Thanks for the review, Kris. Definitely appreciate the shots of tire clearance… It’s a lot better than I expected! I’m going to be picking up a Scrambler in a few days here.
I have a scrambler that I use for tricking! its pretty solid!
awesome review, i bought a v2 scrambler after alot of research, i am relatively new to fixed riding, so i didnt want to spend alot on a new frame. so i went with the scrambler and i couldnt be happier with my purchase. Its awesome, i think some people think that because it is an inexpensive frame that the quality isnt great, but it just isnt the case with the scrambler frame. i also own an eighthinch crankset as well and it is solid as well. keep on putting out great products eighthinch, i am definitely a fan.
[...] EighthInch Full Review! [...]
I was reading your review, and i want to first say, great job. You said that you were riding the 59″. Curious, How tall are you, whats your inseam to the floor, and how much do you weigh. The decision between the 59″ and 61″ is killing me. I ride an XL Giant OCR1 150 miles a week. I have had many road bikes, but I am totally new to the fixie trend, and more up right riding style. I am tired of putting on and taking off my clip shoes for short 5 mile rides. So I think this would be fun. Plus I just started my Masters program at school, and I want to start riding instead of being a fat lazy American, and driving 3 miles 4 times a week. thanks everybody.
[...] Julian wheels. Check it out below. You can also see Kris’s full review on our Scrambler HERE. Enjoy the [...]
i was wondering about the headtube extender. i have a mercier with a 1” headtube as kris knows. and i bought a 26” mountain bike wheel with a serfas 26×1.5. my bike barspins barel and rubs now. it’s a beefy tire. my bike lays persuit at the moment. if i got the extender, would my bike seat weird, or ride like a 700c tire on the front, im just wondering if the extender is worth gettting for my bike.
Any idea the overall weight of the stock bike. I’m not looking for an exact weight, since I ride a much smaller frame, just a general +/- 2-3lb range. Thanks for the review; I’m one step closer to pulling the trigger on one of these things!
Travis…Im 6′4″ with about 34″ inseam. I could probably ride the bigger size which would offer a bit more toe clearance but i opted to go just a bit smaller for good measure. I commute everywhere as well and the bike feels great.
Julius…adding the extender would give you a more upright riding position and make it better for barspins for sure. It wont ride the same as a 700c per se but would probably be worth throwing on there as it would make riding a bit more comfortable in my opinion.
Aaron…not too sure about the weight…like i said it put it somewhere in the middle. Keep in mind im running one of the heaviest MTB forks, deep section rims, steel bars and a BMX stem. Pretty heavy but beefy parts. I can probably ask to for the weight specs if you want though!
[...] got these beasts in and are waiting on a couple more colors to arrive shortly. I reviewed their 32h Julians a couple weeks ago and couldnt be happier with ‘em. If the 32h pattern can take stairs gaps [...]
What fork was that?
the chrome fork is a SE landing gear…the white fork is the stock for that comes with the frameset.
I have the same wheelset, but how the hell did you get the residue off after removing the stickers from the rim?
i peeled em slowly so most of it came off with the sticker. the rest i think i rubbed up with my thumb. how are you liking the wheels?
@gary… use goo=gone to get the residue off
being in the UK i couldn’t find any “goo-gone” but cheers anyway i eventually got the the mess off with olive oil and an eraser, god knows why mine who so sticky and yours simply peeled off though.
They’ve held up well so far, tweaked the nipples a bit upon arrival but nothing major. i ordered them a few days before your review along with the same frame and cranks, so was glad to here that they were holding up to your abuse, i can say that 35c tires fit on a treat and though not exactly featherweight , 23.5lbs feels sturdy, especially as almost half of my daily commute takes me through two miles of weaving singletrack where you can literally drift around the corner.
Only thing i would change would be the logo’s, “eighthinch” in..say.. the lockedcog font would have looked schnazzy..
Does anyone know if the 53cm or the 55cm barspins with the stock fork?