Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - newbie suggestions / help

Ok, so i am in my second year in college in Boston. And I have decided that i need / want to get a fixie. I am on a very tight buget, so keep that in mind. I want the bike to get to classes and to just plain get around the city (and maybe get in shape).

First, my father has 2 or 3 old road bikes (which i should be getting specs on them tomorrow) which he would give me. I am guessing that they are pretty heavy. One is prob 15 years old and never ridden, and the other(s) are prob around 30+ years old. second, i am 5' 11 3/4" tall and have an inseam around 83 cm (33").

So, will one of the *free bikes from my dad work as a conversion bike, or should i get a different used bike? What size should frame should i shoot to get?

Another thing i have heard is since the boston roads are so bad, i need to get heavtier tires...is that true?

(p.s. this is my first post!)

you'll want to size the bikes your daddy has to see if they fit you

if they do fit you, you can probably convert one to a fixie on the cheap, otherwise you can convert your own

i'm sure there's some kind of bike coop in boston that will help you out..

you'll want to size the bikes your daddy has to see if they fit you

if they do fit you, you can probably convert one to a fixie on the cheap, otherwise you can convert your own

i'm sure there's some kind of bike coop in boston that will help you out..

i am having my bro check them out tomorrow (the bikes are in Maine) if there is no written size on frame, what should i have him measure?

Ok, so i am in my second year in college in Boston. And I have decided that i need / want to get a fixie. I am on a very tight buget, so keep that in mind. I want the bike to get to classes and to just plain get around the city (and maybe get in shape).

First, my father has 2 or 3 old road bikes (which i should be getting specs on them tomorrow) which he would give me. I am guessing that they are pretty heavy. One is prob 15 years old and never ridden, and the other(s) are prob around 30+ years old. second, i am 5' 11 3/4" tall and have an inseam around 83 cm (33").

So, will one of the *free bikes from my dad work as a conversion bike, or should i get a different used bike? What size should frame should i shoot to get?

Another thing i have heard is since the boston roads are so bad, i need to get heavtier tires...is that true?

(p.s. this is my first post!)
if you're looking to keep it on the cheap, you might want to consider doing a single speed to start and going fixed at a later time - it's hard to keep it safe if you're on a really tight budget with fixed.

if you are determined to go the fixed route though, you'll need at least a new rear wheel with a cog and lockring, and if the original cranks are cottered, a new bottom bracket, crank set, and chainring. in my opinion, it's not worth your trouble if it has a one-piece crank. make sure the bike has suitably long horizontal dropouts before you invest in anything, and no matter what, expect it to turn into a money-pit. if this sounds confusing, check out http://sheldonbrown.com/ - everything you could ever want to know on the subject.

there are a lot of other boston riders on these forums, so if you want advice on where to pick things up for the best prices, there's plenty of opinions to go around.

good luck, be sure to keep us updated on your project, and have fun! :)

ps. where do you go to school?

if you're looking to keep it on the cheap, you might want to consider doing a single speed to start and going fixed at a later time - it's hard to keep it safe if you're on a really tight budget with fixed.

ps. where do you go to school?
I go to Northeastern. I see a lot of fixed on campus.

What kind of cost coparison am i looking at for a fixed vs. a single speed (i take it a ss is on gear, but can free turn)? what is an avg cost to convert, say i have a bike w/ horizontal? w/ vertical?

how does this look for a bike to convert?
(http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/218912125.html) or this one to buy and start with? (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/221462418.html)

I go to Northeastern. I see a lot of fixed on campus.

What kind of cost coparison am i looking at for a fixed vs. a single speed (i take it a ss is on gear, but can free turn)? what is an avg cost to convert, say i have a bike w/ horizontal? w/ vertical?

how does this look for a bike to convert? (http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/218912125.html)
a single speed can coast, whereas fixed, the pedals are constantly in motion as the wheels turn.

a bike with vertical dropouts is incredibly difficult to convert to ss/fg without an eno eccentric hub, so i won't recommend just avoiding that altogether, especially since you're on a budget.

here's a breakdown of the different parts you would need to convert the bike you linked to fixed gear:

new rear wheel: probably about $100. (if you're willing to mailorder, you can get a very nice wheel SET for 135)
cog: $20
lockring: $5
chain: $10
probably a new bottom bracket (i can't tell from the picture): $20
new crank set: $40
chainring: $20

so you're probably looking at about 200-250 dollars in addition to the cost of the frame, and you might want to replace things like tires and tubes, re-wrap the bars, etc.

no matter what, don't let anyone talk you into a "suicide hub" - if you go fixed, use a real track hub! sure, it's cheap, but it'll cause problems long-term.

if you wanted to do single-speed instead of fixed, you could conceivably get set up for about 150 dollars with a very solid setup. try someone's bike out to see if fixed is for you.

of course, used parts make everything cheaper, too.

did i answer your question?

oh, and i asked about school since i go to bu - always good to meet more bostonians!

EDIT: i didn't see that second bike you linked to - i can't really tell from the pictures, but it looks like it would be ok. that's the going rate here in boston (i've sold a few similar bikes for similar prices) but to be perfectly honest, it's not WORTH it... hold off and find a bike to convert - you'll learn how your bike works, so you'll be able to fix it when (and i do mean when, not if) it breaks. i mean, you said you're on a budget and shop repairs = $$$

What about a flip-flop hub? is it that much more? would i loose proformance or quality?

Flip flop hubs are fine. It will cost about the same. If possible, get a fixed/fixed hub. You can run a single speed cog on a fixed thread, but you can't run a fixed cog on a single speed thread. Formula/nashbar/soma/iro/surly are all decent flip flop hubs that aren't too expensive. The suzue basics are also decent, but living in Boston, I would want a sealed hub. The only problem with french (peugot) bikes are that replacement bottom brackets can be expensive. YST just started making a threadless bb that will work for under $20, but I haven't heard how good/reliable they are yet.

how does this look for a bike to convert?
(http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/218912125.html) or this one to buy and start with? (http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/221462418.html)
Both of those bikes will be way too small.

Read the sheldon brown website, think about it, then ask questions.

www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed

The only problem with french (peugot) bikes are that replacement bottom brackets can be expensive.

My circa 1979/1980 Peugeot takes a plain old 68mm BB. I found a drivetrain (BB, chainring, crankset) on eBay for $60 and it popped right in.

Both of those bikes you linked to are too small for you. That aside, I recently converted my 10 speed Peugeot into a fixed and it cost the following, for reference purposes:

Mavic CXP22 wheelset with Formula Sealed Bearing Hubs Silver ( Fixed-Free ) = $135
drivetrain = $60
DuraAce track cog = $15
DuraAce lockring = $8
WSD saddle = $35
2 Avocet tires and 2 presta valve tubes = $60
purple BMX chain = $12

So that's about $300 just in parts. If you don't have tools or any of the other misc. crap you need to do all this stuff, you're looking at another chunk of change.

My circa 1979/1980 Peugeot takes a plain old 68mm BB. I found a drivetrain (BB, chainring, crankset) on eBay for $60 and it popped right in.

Both of those bikes you linked to are too small for you. That aside, I recently converted my 10 speed Peugeot into a fixed and it cost the following, for reference purposes:

Mavic CXP22 wheelset with Formula Sealed Bearing Hubs Silver ( Fixed-Free ) = $135
drivetrain = $60
DuraAce track cog = $15
DuraAce lockring = $8
WSD saddle = $35
2 Avocet tires and 2 presta valve tubes = $60
purple BMX chain = $12

So that's about $300 just in parts. If you don't have tools or any of the other misc. crap you need to do all this stuff, you're looking at another chunk of change.
what did you use for the drivetrain components? a bulletproof crank, shimano bb, and a rocket ring? or did you find used stuff?

You need anywhere from about a 54cm frame to a 56cm, depending on how long your legs are. If most of your height is in your legs, go for a 56cm.

Maybe even bigger. Ride a ton of bikes to figure out what size you need.

Maybe even bigger. Ride a ton of bikes to figure out what size you need.
+1

you will be P!SSED if you spend all this time, money and effort converting a frame that doesn't fit you

Dude, just go buy a bike from a bike shop and get to ridin' :D

Here's what you are guaranteed:

1) It will fit
2) It will work
3) It will have a warranty
4) You won't have to buy tools to convert it
5) You won't have to pay someone to convert it
6) You will be riding *5 minutes* after you buy it. (not 5 weeks)
7) If you leave now, maybe you can make it to the shop before it closes tonight.

If you want it to be unique, just then customize that one.

I know this sounds harsh, but this is sort of like saying, "I saw this 65 mustang. It doesn't run. But, I need a car to drive to work and class an stuff. I don't know much about cars. Should I restore it?"

Restoring it would be great...if it were your second car/bike. If you need to get riding, buy a bike that already does what you want it to do.

carleton, sometimes i absolutely love you.


(this is one of those times)

http://www.clipartspace.com/clipart/hearts/heart8.gif

does this one look good? http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/222078318.html

too expensive. has vertical drops, not sure if the fixed side is a magic gear or what but still, too expensive

does this one look good? http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/222078318.html

NOT a fixed gear. You cannot run a fixed gear with a chain tensioner of that sort.

Dude, just go buy a bike from a bike shop and get to ridin' :D

Here's what you are guaranteed:

1) It will fit
2) It will work
3) It will have a warranty
4) You won't have to buy tools to convert it
5) You won't have to pay someone to convert it
6) You will be riding *5 minutes* after you buy it. (not 5 weeks)
7) If you leave now, maybe you can make it to the shop before it closes tonight.

If you want it to be unique, just then customize that one.

I know this sounds harsh, but this is sort of like saying, "I saw this 65 mustang. It doesn't run. But, I need a car to drive to work and class an stuff. I don't know much about cars. Should I restore it?"

Restoring it would be great...if it were your second car/bike. If you need to get riding, buy a bike that already does what you want it to do.

1) the vast majority of shops are staffed with incompentent or dishonest ****s. Unless you yourself are knowledgeable there is a reasonable chance you will be sent away with an improperly assembled or ill-fitting bike.
2) If you want to ride five minutes after you get it you will likely have to go to numerous shops, get a bike that is ill fitted or illsuited to your needs.
3) the expertise gained from building your own conversion saves you lots of money and hassle in the future. Why not obtain it right away. Same with tools
4) If you are going to "customize" it you need the tools anyway
5) Making a conversion != restoring anything. You just have to replace a wheel and maybe those parts that are meant to be periodically replaced.

1) the vast majority of shops are staffed with incompentent or dishonest ****s. Unless you yourself are knowledgeable there is a reasonable chance you will be sent away with an improperly assembled or ill-fitting bike.
2) If you want to ride five minutes after you get it you will likely have to go to numerous shops, get a bike that is ill fitted or illsuited to your needs.
3) the expertise gained from building your own conversion saves you lots of money and hassle in the future. Why not obtain it right away. Same with tools
4) If you are going to "customize" it you need the tools anyway
5) Making a conversion != restoring anything. You just have to replace a wheel and maybe those parts that are meant to be periodically replaced.

Dude, are you serious? Did a bike shop beat you up every day and take your lunch money when you were a kid or something?

too expensive. has vertical drops, not sure if the fixed side is a magic gear or what but still, too expensive

Do you mean "$350 is too expensive for a fixie" or "That bike isn't worth $350"?

Not being snarky, but how much do you think fixies cost?

i'd say too expensive for a bike that's still an ENO hub away from being a fixie (magic gears notwithstanding)

Dude, are you serious? Did a bike shop beat you up every day and take your lunch money when you were a kid or something?

no but i have had dozens of experiences with incompetent bike shop employees. To suggest that buying your bike at a shop garauntees any of the things you said it does is absurd. I know you are just a schill for the NBDA but seriously, did a conversion beat you up everyday and take YOUR lunch money or something.

no but i have had dozens of experiences with incompetent bike shop employees. To suggest that buying your bike at a shop garauntees any of the things you said it does is absurd. I know you are just a schill for the NDBA but seriously, did a conversion beat you up everyday and take YOUR lunch money or something.

With the OPs situation, to suggest that a DIY solution is better is even more absurd.

By the way, bike shop employees probably treated you like sh*t because you deserve it.

A bike shop and a conversion both had sex with my sister.:(

By the way, bike shop employees probably treated you like sh*t because you deserve it.

I never said they treated me like **** I said they were incompetent. Clueless morons can be very nice and still be clueless morons unable to assure you get a bike that fits well.

I think in the $300 range the OP probably has a much better chance of getting a good fitting durable conversion then he does of getting a new bike instantly from his LBS.

I def want to buy a used bike (more for the money) and i would like to do a conversion/upgrades myself if possible. I have most general tools (as in screwdrivers, rachets, wrenches, hammer, drill, etc.) I don't have specialty tools...(but i guess that is why they are specialty). I know if i do the work myself, like several ppl have said, i will know what is going on, and have a much better idea of have to fix it if there is a problem. The thought of just going to a bike shop and just buying one "off the shelf" is not really what i want to do. I would rather this be more of a project.

I def want to buy a used bike (more for the money) and i would like to do a conversion/upgrades myself if possible. I have most general tools (as in screwdrivers, rachets, wrenches, hammer, drill, etc.) I don't have specialty tools...(but i guess that is why they are specialty). I know if i do the work myself, like several ppl have said, i will know what is going on, and have a much better idea of have to fix it if there is a problem. The thought of just going to a bike shop and just buying one "off the shelf" is not really what i want to do. I would rather this be more of a project.


Welcome to the club... just don't ever expect this project to end.. you will NEVER be finished, there is always something to be upgrade!

Do you mean "$350 is too expensive for a fixie" or "That bike isn't worth $350"?

Not being snarky, but how much do you think fixies cost?

what? what makes you think i meant anything other than "that bike isnt worth 350," i made q comment specific to the bike in question. anyhow, please tell me how much a fixie costs

what? what makes you think i meant anything other than "that bike isnt worth 350," i made q comment specific to the bike in question. anyhow, please tell me how much a fixie costs

1500 he rides a pista concept with phil/deepvs everywhere. He doesn't think you can even get a sweet wheelset in the $300 range.

1500 he rides a pista concept with phil/deepvs everywhere. He doesn't think you can even get a sweet wheelset in the $300 range.

My custom job is actually closer to $2K.

...and I've never owned anything else. I just bought my way into the game. Got a problem with that?

My custom job is actually closer to $2K.

...and I've never owned anything else. I just bought my way into the game. Got a problem with that?

...
yes

...
yes

Jealous!

My custom job is actually closer to $2K.

...and I've never owned anything else. I just bought my way into the game. Got a problem with that?


No I just have a problem with you spouting off about how much a decent bike costs or what the best way to get one is. A $300 dollar conversion is a much better bike for most people then a pista concept(or even a pista).

My custom job is actually closer to $2K.

...and I've never owned anything else. I just bought my way into the game. Got a problem with that?
...i love this guy

Jealous!

I know who you are shiznaz!!

I know who you are shiznaz!!

Thats why its fun. Dissing people you don't know on the internet is an empty gesture.

people on the boston craigslist (as in every major metropolitan area) want way more money for their crappy old road bikes than said crappy road bikes are worth. fortunately, most of them can be talked down pretty easily.

here is my advice:

first, make sure whatever bike you are checking out FITS you. measure yourself and read sheldon brown to figure out a good size range.

also: be positive that the bike you are checking out has horizontal dropouts. again, if you don't know what that means, read sheldon brown.

the t has a fairly good commuter rail system that will take you basically an hour outside the city in pretty much any direction. if you want to get a good deal, GO TO THE SUBURBS! i'm not even kidding about this; bikes that go (very quickly) INSIDE the city limits for upwards of 100 dollars go for 30-50 dollars + a 10 dollar round trip on the commuter rail. and most people who are selling an old road bike in the suburbs don't know/don't care about their bikes - they are very often just trying to clean out their basements and make a quick buck - THEIR PRICES CAN ALMOST ALWAYS BE TALKED DOWN - trust me on this one.

http://www.clint.ca/argue/argue.jpg

my roomate is on forums all day, he made me post this.

What about a flip-flop hub? is it that much more{fragment, capitalization**? would i loose proformance or quality{fragment, capitilization, spelling**?

You got into a school with that kind of poor writing? America is in trouble.

You got into a school with that kind of poor writing? America is in trouble.
http://www.citypaper.com/sb/78733/lulu.jpg

Viper,

Check out BikesNotBombs.org (http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/). Single Speeds with a used frame and newer components start at $250, plus your supporting a good cause. If you have the time, you could volunteer there and they'll assist you with your project.

You got into a school with that kind of poor writing? America is in trouble.

give me a break, i am an engineer (i only have to be good at math & science :D ). and this is midterm week, and to tell you the truth, i hardly remeber posting that, i had been up for like 36 hours (classes and studying!) And not to mention, I am awful at spelling and grammer when i am "all there"

Viper,

Check out BikesNotBombs.org (http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/). Single Speeds with a used frame and newer components start at $250, plus your supporting a good cause. If you have the time, you could volunteer there and they'll assist you with your project.


I actaully just heard about that place a couple days ago and saw it in the local shops thread on this site. I just need to grab my balls and head into the boston ghetto! haha

Strap em on! Its only 2 stops on the orange line from NU and about two blocks from the T. You could save some duckets if you brought in one of those older bikes and had them convert it for you.

people on the boston craigslist (as in every major metropolitan area) want way more money for their crappy old road bikes than said crappy road bikes are worth. fortunately, most of them can be talked down pretty easily.

here is my advice:

first, make sure whatever bike you are checking out FITS you. measure yourself and read sheldon brown to figure out a good size range.

also: be positive that the bike you are checking out has horizontal dropouts. again, if you don't know what that means, read sheldon brown.

the t has a fairly good commuter rail system that will take you basically an hour outside the city in pretty much any direction. if you want to get a good deal, GO TO THE SUBURBS! i'm not even kidding about this; bikes that go (very quickly) INSIDE the city limits for upwards of 100 dollars go for 30-50 dollars + a 10 dollar round trip on the commuter rail. and most people who are selling an old road bike in the suburbs don't know/don't care about their bikes - they are very often just trying to clean out their basements and make a quick buck - THEIR PRICES CAN ALMOST ALWAYS BE TALKED DOWN - trust me on this one.

+1 on this. I have been able to fund my bike related puchases by selling old road bikes to people from center city Philadelphia. I get the road bikes for free/cheap in my suburban neighborhood and price them well below the going rate on CL. As I am near a train station it is a 28 minute ride out, people get the road bike they need/want for thier project, I use the money to buy my stuff and list all of the other stuff on e-bay with no reserve. If it does not sell I give it to the Philadelphia Neighbohood bike works. I think Boston has a wealthy nieghborhood Chestnut Hill (Just like philly) Take a walk around on trash night. Chances are you will get something.

ok, so i just went to bikes not bombs and ordered* a fixed

so here is is for $400

a used 57 cm Fuji track frame (kinda old, bit looks ok blue and chrome)
some used drop bars, being wrapped with cinelli black tape
Track pedals with metal toe clips
panaracer Pasella tires (i think 1.25")
Front wheel: either a used double wall or new single
Back: Formula hub + sun M13II rim
cloud 9 gel seat
cross brake
42 x 16 gear ratio


Is this worth it?

*and by ordered i mean they are going to put it together by nov 8.

ok, so i just went to bikes not bombs and ordered* a fixed

so here is is for $400

a used 57 cm Fuji track frame (kinda old, bit looks ok blue and chrome)
some used drop bars, being wrapped with cinelli black tape
Track pedals with metal toe clips
panaracer Pasella tires (i think 1.25")
Front wheel: either a used double wall or new single
Back: Formula hub + sun M13II rim
cloud 9 gel seat
cross brake
42 x 16 gear ratio


Is this worth it?

*and by ordered i mean they are going to put it together by nov 8.
whether or not it's worth it is up to you. it's not the same value (or knowledge) you could get by putting together your own bike, but it'll certainly be a nice, reliable ride (with some decent components). have fun!