6 speed BMX road bike

[chrisharne]

I saw an awesome looking bike. It was a 6 speed BMX, but it looked like a 20" wheeled road bike. I was told these were called "Formula One" or "Grand Prix" bikes in the early 90's, and now they aren't made. Does anyone have more info on these? I can't find much online - are the frames very rare?
Thanks

[LittlePixel]

I've seen one of these - a Schwinn 'Qualifier' that's been converted from six-speed to a fixie on the Fixed Gear Gallery...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/WillFCC_aol_2.htm
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/may/WillFCC_aol_2-1.jpg

I too have found pretty much no info on these or the so-called "F1 / Grand Prix" series they were made for in 'the late eighties'.

Does anyone know any more or even just a few pointers so we can do some better googling on this?
This bike is sweeeeet! I love that hybrid bmx/road bike geometry...

I've set up an eBay saved search as I would seriously like one of these frames to make my 406 wheeled speed dream - but how rare ARE they?

[FireTeamCharlie]

Thats a huge frotn sprocket what is it 60 tooth?

[Brian]

Nexus.

[LittlePixel]

C'mon guys? Wasn't hoping to find out about 60t Chain rings (it's 54 btw) Surely somebody knows about these sweet looking machines??!??!?!?!!?!?

[BMXTRIX]

I think you might have as much luck asking in the road bikes forum as here. BMX pretty much doesn't consist of geared bikes and the few of us older riders (me included) who saw those advertised in BMX magazines over a decade ago mostly thought that they were a joke.

Downhill racing on a bmx bike? Road racing on a bmx bike?

Talk about the wrong tool for the wrong job. It would be like getting hyped over using a badmitton racquet to play tennis with. Fun, for a very few people, mostly stupid to those who are serious about tennis or serious about badmitton.

BMX w/gears becoming a road bike just sounds sour to me and does not look 'cool' to me. It just looks silly. There are good road bikes that would blow a 20" bike away on the road. There are good bmx bikes that would blow the F1 bikes away on the track or for tricks. So, what exactly is the point? Limiting your fun through lack of creativity?

:) Just my opinion though... don't take it to seriously. I could see building one up for FUN - but never to be crazy serious on unless they are working towards making a really streamlined F1 bike with a full fiberglass/carbon fiber shell for some crazy speed.

[Brian]

So how about a Nexus 4 or 7 speed on a 24" cruiser? I think that would be heaps fun. Put about 100PSI in my tires, and go chase down some roadies. I'd have to leave the number plate on for full effect.