Bicycle Mechanics - Converting to a fixie

What all is needed to convert from a flat barred multi speed bike to a fix geared? I was able to pick up a new specialized sirrus for 200 US and I figured I could convert it to a fixie. I know I'll need new bars and hubs...but what else? And about how much would it cost?

Elvish

a sirrus won't make a very good conversion unless you build it up with an ENO eccentric hub ($~140) because of the vertical dropouts [edit: it is possible to find a 'magic ratio' that will have the proper tension given a specific chainstay length, but it's very hit or miss and most often not worth the headache]. If you choose to go this route all that you'll really need is the new rear hub, a cog, a lockring, and possibly new spokes, although you can probably rebuild with the original spokes. This is assuming that you have a few basic tools. Anything beyond that is purely for simplicity/aesthetics (i.e. you might want new brake levers since the sirrus has a one piece shifter/lever to rid yourself of the bawdy shifting devices).

that being said, it would probably be cheaper and easier to find an old road frame with horizontal dropouts.

a sirrus won't make a very good conversion unless you build it up with an ENO eccentric hub ($~140) because of the vertical dropouts [edit: it is possible to find a 'magic ratio' that will have the proper tension given a specific chainstay length, but it's very hit or miss and most often not worth the headache]. If you choose to go this route all that you'll really need is the new rear hub, a cog, a lockring, and possibly new spokes, although you can probably rebuild with the original spokes. This is assuming that you have a few basic tools. Anything beyond that is purely for simplicity/aesthetics (i.e. you might want new brake levers since the sirrus has a one piece shifter/lever to rid yourself of the bawdy shifting devices).

that being said, it would probably be cheaper and easier to find an old road frame with horizontal dropouts.


Where would you recomend picking up a frame from? Nashbar and other online dealers (I know the size I need) or shouldI just shop stores/goodwill?

Elvish

That's true, converting a vertical dropouted bike is more advanced and tricky, probably not recommended for your first conversion project. Like trying to convert a Buddhist to Lutheranism right out of seminary instead of starting with something easier, like a Catholic.

here's the link to figuring out your options if you still want to convert that bike. http://www.peak.org/~fixin/personal/fmu/php/formfmu.php . That said, it's pretty satisfying to do cheap without going for the expense of the ENO hub option.

there really aren't very many new frames that offer horizontal dropouts. there are a few out there that offer track ends (open toward the rear of the bike and require that you derail the chain before you pull the wheel out). IRO, kogswell, surly, and others might be worth looking into, although I would suggest keeping an eye out for an older road frame, either at the goodwill or on ebay/craigslist/etc. there is a thread over in the fixed forum where ebay & craigslist fixed related stuff is regularly posted. you could also look into selling the sirrus and using the money toward an off the shelf fixed gear as a complete bike (bianchi, iro, mercier, specialized, lemond, windsor, and motobecane all have offerings of varying price and quality that you might want to check out).