Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - MY conversion project

Well here it is. The old skool 12 speed that I am going to convert to a Fixie.

Will initially use the road cranks, and put a standard chainring on instead of a bio-pace.

I have ordered a set of Miche track hubs, and have yet to decide on everything else!

Brendon

awesome !

What make/model is that bike ?

Looks great for a conversion !

awesome !

What make/model is that bike ?

Looks great for a conversion !


well....the make says it right there on the picture AVANTI, but then again...judging by your avatar, reading is not that fundamental for ya anyways


lol...hate to pick on you(well...not really), but..you left it open for it

Will initially use the road cranks, and put a standard chainring on instead of a bio-pace.


you should ride witht he biopace rings and give them a shot before you take them off. some people like em some don't. ive been riding my fixie with biopace and it feels great! http://sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html sheldon rides his fixies with bio pace too

Good luck with your conversion. Finished my conversion and loving it. Working on getting pix.

yo I think you may have just identified my bike. I got the same gradient paint scheme, same downtube shifters and biopace rings, same goofy fluted seatpost, and lugs look exactly the same.

Does that sticker on the seattube happen to claim mannesman tubing?

That looks like a pretty decent bike. I think I see 105 components.

Your cranks will work fine, with or without the biopace chainrings.

Try the little by little approach. Get it minimally functional to see if you like it.

Fixed is not everyone's cup of tea ... nothing wrong with that.

Yes 105 components, although quite old and going out the door due to the fact that well.. they aint needed.

This bike will be my commuter in Hamilton, which is rather flat.

I might try the bio-pace rings, is there a way that I can get the deraileur to work as a tensioner? - Wait that only works with freewheel SS.... haha

Edit - pic served its purpose - thanks for heads up.

The frame is CR-MO.

Yes this is an Avanti Ultra, made by a NZ company probably back in the 80's, or early 90's at best.

Lunigma - did you need any sort of tensioning device at all? SB gives me the thought that I don't need one...

Regards,
Brendon

:)

Those dropouts will work perfect. You will not need to use the old derailleur for chain tension.

You will not have any problems with the dropouts.

These articles might be of worth to do a quick read:

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-to-fixed-conversion.html

You probably have a good idea of what it takes to do a conversion, but, hey, you might learn something new.

Thanks Boston, already going the SB's stuff, that stuff is usefull too.

Regards,
Brendon

Yes 105 components, although quite old and going out the door due to the fact that well.. they aint needed.

This bike will be my commuter in Hamilton, which is rather flat.

I might try the bio-pace rings, is there a way that I can get the deraileur to work as a tensioner? - Wait that only works with freewheel SS.... haha

http://sheldonbrown.com/images/dropf-short.gif that is the sort of dropouts it has... anyone care to elaborate on any problems I may face?

The frame is CR-MO.

Yes this is an Avanti Ultra, made by a NZ company probably back in the 80's, or early 90's at best.

Lunigma - did you need any sort of tensioning device at all? SB gives me the thought that I don't need one...

Regards,
Brendon

you don't need to use a tensioner, just leave a little bit of slack, once your'e adjusting the wheel you'll figure it out. it feels pretty cool, it's hard to describe.

oh and heads up, you might not want to use sheldon's pics without permision

Biopace rings are not being produced anymore, and have a somewhat faithful following, so don't throw them away.

That paintjob is awesome. So are fluted seatposts. I think track drops on that thing (even though it's a conversion) would look sweet.

nice. i like avanti because they make nonlatex condoms, and i'm latex allergic.

Biopace rings are not being produced anymore, and have a somewhat faithful following, so don't throw them away.


that's a really good point, hehe you could even sell them to sheldon.
is it just me or do the fork drop outs look a little weird. i can't put my finger on it, they look like they just go straight out.

I'd recommend a front tire...

I'd recommend a front tire...
:rolleyes:

Keep the biopace for a while anyway. It is interesting to watch the chain move back and forth without losing tension.
You can fix it up single for now. Just remove all the shift stuff and pick a gear that gives an OK chainline.

The rear rim is shot to hell (cracks etc) so I need a new wheel before I ride, so I might as well do the whole drive train in one go.

Brendon


Keep the biopace for a while anyway. It is interesting to watch the chain move back and forth without losing tension.
You can fix it up single for now. Just remove all the shift stuff and pick a gear that gives an OK chainline.

you should ride witht he biopace rings and give them a shot before you take them off. some people like em some don't. ive been riding my fixie with biopace and it feels great!

How does that work out with chain tension? Don't you contantly feel like the chain is going to bounce off during the slack portions for the pedal stroke?

I had old Dura Ace with BioPace rings on the bike that eventually became my conversion, and I didn't even try it before putting on a round chainring, I just assumed that it would be whack.

How does that work out with chain tension? Don't you contantly feel like the chain is going to bounce off during the slack portions for the pedal stroke?

I had old Dura Ace with BioPace rings on the bike that eventually became my conversion, and I didn't even try it before putting on a round chainring, I just assumed that it would be whack.

I'm gonna say that (in my Schlitz-addled mind) the chain wraps around enough of the chainring at any given moment to sufficiently eliminate any change in chain slack. The links are always engaging ring that's both "fat" and "narrow".

Therefore, everything would be peachy. Ever watch a geared bike w/ Biopace? Did the deraileur move back n' forth picking up slack with every rotation of the cranks?


I didn't think so.

Started the strip down tonight! here's some pictures.

Whole bike just as I was starting to attack it,
Biopace crankset (inner ring is a 42T which will be perfect for gearing...
All of what I took off tonight.

Any ideas as to what I can do to the old mounts for the DT shifters?

Brendon

I use a biopace chainring on my fixie. I like it a lot, but learned something
VERY IMPORTANT- when you bolt on the rear wheel, setting the chain tension,
make sure the Biopace is placed in the 'loose' position. (pedals facing forward
and backward) That way, the rotation will slightly tighten the chain then return
it to your set tension. Do it the other way, and the chain may bounce off the
gears when the ride gets bumpy.

Any ideas as to what I can do to the old mounts for the DT shifters?

I was tinkering on the bike the other day. Putting the tools away, I found a pair orphaned spikes. The spikes went to an old pair of MTB shoes. I took the DT shifters off, and the spike fit, but there is a gap. Working on getting something to fill the gab. I'll post about it when I'm done.

I was tinkering on the bike the other day. Putting the tools away, I found a pair orphaned spikes. The spikes went to an old pair of MTB shoes. I took the DT shifters off, and the spike fit, but there is a gap. Working on getting something to fill the gab. I'll post about it when I'm done.

That could hurt a bit while skidding, falling, etc.

Get dual pivot brakes, I got a couple second hand for just ten bucks. They make a big difference to the braking I believe.

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