Fifty Plus (50+) - The fix is in!

Just finished my Schwinn World Sport thrift shop fixie conversion. Haven't even ridden it yet. Going to take it on a shakedown cruise around the neighborhood, then try 10 mi. or so on a MUP.

Used the original hub with red Loctite, lotsa torque and a BB lockring (sometimes called a "suicide hub" in the fixed gear forum). Got a NOS stem on eBay because the one with the bike was the wrong quill diameter (undersized) and too short a reach. New Vittoria Zaffiro tires from Nashbar. Anything chrome or aluminum got polished with Simichrome. Sold removed components on eBay. Trued the wheels on the bike; they were in pretty good shape. For now I'm just swapping the pedals from my road bike when I want to ride it.

Gearing: 40/15

Sheldon Brown's site was invaluable, of course. Got the sprocket and chainring spacers from Harris.

If I take to riding fixed I might strip and repaint the frame next year, and get a "real" fixed gear hub.

http://bruce.coppola.name/images/bike/fixConv.JPG

http://bruce.coppola.name/images/bike/fixConvDrvtrn.JPG

http://bruce.coppola.name/images/bike/fixConvHub.JPG

Now to see if anything falls off...

look forward to hearing how it rides.

Now to see if anything falls off...

Probably only you :D ....

B'Dog

Ride report

First, for BubbaDog: Did not! Nyah, nyah, nyah! Might have been a different story if I'd tried a trackstand, tho.

Well, it's different, that's for sure. And I like it. After a non-eventful neighborhood shakedown I took it on a flat MUP for about 10 miles. The path has some mild grades, with the biggest "hill" being a pedestrian overpass. I chose the 40/15 gearing to approximate my "fast" cruising gear on my road bike.

You definately feel it in the quads and, to a lesser degree, the knees. My knees are healthy so far -- knock wood. After being sharply reminded a few times that I cannot coast (I have a habit of standing and stretching my legs--whoops!) it was less of an adjustment than I'd feared. OTOH, I quickly got the hang of slightly "unweighting" over bumps.

The most interesting thing is that once you get to a nice cruising speed and cadence on a flat a sort of feedback mechanism actually assists you with pedaling. The momentum of the bike helps to push your legs thru the stroke.

On a slight upgrade, a bit more attention to pedaling in circles (i.e., pulling up on the pedals) is sufficient. Standing and mashing on the few "steeper" upgrades was kind of fun.

There wasn't a steep or long enough downhill to really get me spinning.

I was breathing harder and my legs felt a bit more tired than a comparable ride on my roadie, but that's the idea, no? Too bad the season is winding down. But hey, I can put it on the trainer...

I do need to adjust the position of my brake lever. It's too low and a bit of a reach for the brake lever. I'm only using the front brake after reading Sheldon Brown's article on braking. And I need better brakepads -- maybe the salmon Koolstops.

Ride report
The most interesting thing is that once you get to a nice cruising speed and cadence on a flat a sort of feedback mechanism actually assists you with pedaling. The momentum of the bike helps to push your legs thru the stroke.

You will defintely be reminded of that once you get back on your geared bike after you've been riding fixed for a while. You'll encounter 'dead spots' through your pedalling stroke.....but your legs will quickly relearn to pedal through those spots. :D

Nice conversion, BTW. :)

Ride report

I was breathing harder and my legs felt a bit more tired than a comparable ride on my roadie, but that's the idea, no? Too bad the season is winding down. But hey, I can put it on the trainer...
Psssttt...you have the perfect winter bike. Simple, fixed, traction control, just what you need for winter. :)

Nicely done!

Psssttt...you have the perfect winter bike. Simple, fixed, traction control, just what you need for winter. :)

But...it's so C-C-C-C-COLD! Seriously, I tried winter biking and didn't like it.

Looks nice! You'll be ready for that century on it next year :D

Welcome! You are now one of us.

congrats on the fixie!! I made one last spring all steel and an hooked big time I'm thinking about getting a new frame with carbon chain & seat stays( like on my roadie) for more comfort running a 42x15