Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Singlespeed - Fixed Gear Hub. Help Please.

I also posted this in the mechanics forum but perhaps you can help too...

I recently received a 1979 Falcon. The frame is Reynolds 531 and is in relatively good condition. It was originally a 10 speed with a Campy Velox group.
I want to rebuild it into a single speed/fixed gear with a flip flop hub but I don't seem to understand the part about hub sizing. I measured the rear drop outs and got 102 mm. Is this correct? That doesn't seem like an available size for fixed gear/single speed hubs.
Can anyone help shed some light on this for me? I just want to make sure I am measuring it correctly before I order any parts.
Pictures to follow...

Thanks,

Dante

are you measuring the distance between the dropouts? (from the left one to the right one).

they're prolly gonna be 126mm...

102? that's a really funny measurement. you should (i think, i haven't had to worry about this ever) be measuring from the center of each of the dropouts.

weren't all of the campy (and most other) 5 speeds 120mm spacing?

I think I may have found a clue. Do the chain stays look bent to you?

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3359/p1010006medium0mg.jpg

Dante

Here's a few more pics...

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3910/p1010004medium2jw.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9902/p1010002medium5xu.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2376/p1010001medium7zh.jpg

Dante

the dropout sure looks bent.

the spacing, as already mentioned, should be 120mm for a 5-speed

Any ideas on how to bend the stays back into position?

Dante

2x4 and string.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

heh, beat me to it. cold setting a la the man himself--sheldon.

invaluable site if you haven't used it before.

Gentlemen, I want to apologize. I checked it again and remeasured. This time I got 122 mm measuring the inside of the dropouts. I'm not sure what mistake I made before but thanks for the help.

New question. Can you recommend a wheel assy with a flip flop, free/fixed hub in the 120mm size?

Thanks.

Dante

P.S. Yes, Sheldon does have a great web site.

120mm is standard track spacing. so, basically anything will work.
IRO is the obvious answer

PS: get fix/fix. you can thread a freewheel on the fix side, and have a backup if you ever strip your lockring.

Would the bike having asymetrical stays prevent him from using a flip-flop?

nope. the stays can be whatever and as long as the chainline works on one side, it will work on the other side as well since the hub is symmetrical.

You can get a pretty decent basic wheelset for $130 with a fixed/free Formula hubset and Mavic CXP-22 rims. I got mine from Nashbar recently, but there is some other place selling them for about $130 (cheaper than NB's price for apparently the same wheels).

You'll be hard pressed to find a common modern track hub that isn't 120mm, so your stay spacing should work just fine. I wouldn't even worry about the extra 2mm, as the steel will *easily* flex that far just as you tighten the axle nuts by hand.

nope. the stays can be whatever and as long as the chainline works on one side, it will work on the other side as well since the hub is symmetrical.

You can get a pretty decent basic wheelset for $130 with a fixed/free Formula hubset and Mavic CXP-22 rims. I got mine from Nashbar recently, but there is some other place selling them for about $130 (cheaper than NB's price for apparently the same wheels).

You'll be hard pressed to find a common modern track hub that isn't 120mm, so your stay spacing should work just fine. I wouldn't even worry about the extra 2mm, as the steel will *easily* flex that far just as you tighten the axle nuts by hand.


actually, no.
if the stays are assymetrical (I'm assuming he's asking if the stays are offset to one side), then you have to respace the hub over the corresponding amount, and dish the wheel.
then the flop side won't line up.

I was assuming you would make chainline corrections with the cranks and BB. Respacing and dishing a symmetrical flip flop is pretty pointless.

if the stays are assymetrical (I'm assuming he's asking if the stays are offset to one side), then you have to respace the hub over the corresponding amount, and dish the wheel.
then the flop side won't line up.

Thats what I thought. From the first picture Dante posted, it looks like his stays aren't symetrical from the centerline of the frame, so a flipflop won't work. Unless the picture is taken at an odd angle or something.

I was assuming you would make chainline corrections with the cranks and BB. Respacing and dishing a symmetrical flip flop is pretty pointless.

ahh yes that too, but you can only do that if it's assymetrical in one direction.
In any case, it's a moot point. if the stays are out of alignment the bike will ride like shiat regardless of chainline.

Dante- Where in the great Keystone State are you located? Someone may be able to come up with a local bike shop that can help you out with the wheel (at least...).

Keep in mind that Tony of IRO fame is in Middleburg, so shipping may either be quick, or a local pick up. His rear wheel is $105...

Dante- Where in the great Keystone State are you located? Someone may be able to come up with a local bike shop that can help you out with the wheel (at least...).

Keep in mind that Tony of IRO fame is in Middleburg, so shipping may either be quick, or a local pick up. His rear wheel is $105...

I live in Souderton, Pa. Nice little hilly town.

I will be getting wheels from Tony and IRO. Too many great reviews on IRO, and he is somewhat local. I also found a guy who does frame repairs. He can fix the frame, bead blast and powder coat for about $200.00. This sound pretty good to me. Now all I have to decide on is which color... Candy Orange maybe. :D
I'm going to drop off the frame next weekend for repairs and contact IRO the week after.

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress and provide pictures when I get the frame back.

Thanks everyone. :)

Dante

Any news yet? Naturally....I am curious.

Cheers,

Brian

I also found a guy who does frame repairs. He can fix the frame, bead blast and powder coat for about $200.00.

well I'm jealous.