New..err bike is complete

[jsigone]

So I picked up a classic roadie the other day for a conversion Paid $29 for it and looked like this
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0117classicbike0004sm.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0117classicbike0006sm.jpg

After new tires and new..er rims and gear conversion looks like this now
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0120singlespeedroadie0005sm.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0120singlespeedroadie0007sm.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0120singlespeedroadie0008sm.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0120singlespeedroadie0010sm.jpg

Everything said and done, the total cost of this bike was $120

The gear ratio is bigger then I thought, 48T x 18T, 2.66 ratio:eek: I did't go on the long ride today due to body illness, but my buddy and I got a 23mile ride in today along the coast starting from carlsbad. The ride was great, the gearing kicked my butt in the beginning as I was getting use to the bike and the gearing along with warming up. Highest speed was 28mph on the flats (damn bike is NOT AERO AT ALL), I managed to hammer up a small hill @25mph peak and topped it at 22mph:eek: (seated) I found it actually easier to climb at the higher speeds because I'm in my cadence range. Not saying that I'll be able to do that on LONG climbs like...um Palomar or GMR (i'll be crying in pain:eek: ) I like the topend speed on the coast, but not so sure on the hills. I need to get a longer stem and find one that has some negative drop to put me in a more aero position. Rigth now, it feels like I sitting up a bit higher, and not allowed to put more weight over the front, which the cross wind was blowing me around. The handle bars are pretty comfy, a lil twitchy but just had to get use to it. Also out of the saddle was weird cuz I can't push weight over the front, but will be fixed w/ the stem

Here's a pic at Swami's beach
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/jsigone/bikes/2007_0120singlespeedroadie0003sm.jpg

[Mr. Beanz]

Awww Cool man! I'd like to try something like that one of these days! Good job.

[JetWave]

That's great looking bike. I recently picked up a Schwinn for $30.00 Put in new tubes & tires, the rim is rusty, & the shifting is bad, if I may ask;

1. Your total cost is $120.00 where did & what kind of rims you can pick up so cheap.

2. Since my shifing is not working, I just ride mine like a single speed, is yours a single or a fixie now? & what do I need to convert mine to like yours?

Thanks

Bernie

[jsigone]

the LBS I took it to charged me $20 for the rims. He deals with the older bikes and has crap loads of used stuff. (27" rims are alot cheaper then 700c rims)

parts need for the SS conversion (not fixed gear)

BMX freewheel (10-20 bucks)
MTB cranks w/ matching chain ring (I wasn't able to reuse the stock one cuz I didn't want to push the
54T chain ring) LBS charged me $15 bucks for the used MTB crankset and ring

Pretty simple, if you have a good working base to start with. I basically just dropped my bike off at the LBS and $60 bucks later it was converted to SS for me, labor and part in all.

[roadfix]

Nice looking ride Jeff! I love those inverted bars....
Conversions are fun projects....I need to pick up an old thrift store 10 speed and work on one someday. :)

[jschen]

Conversions are fun projects....I need to pick up an old thrift store 10 speed and work on one someday. :)
Don't you have a Litespeed frame that you've been meaning to convert?

[roadfix]

Don't you have a Litespeed frame that you've been meaning to convert?Well, I already did, but it wasn't much of a conversion as my old Spinergy wheel only required spacers and a single cassette cog. :)

[jsigone]

hey fixer, what gear ratio do you use for normal rides and those that involve climbs like GMR?

I'm on 48x18 right now, don't know how its gonna feel on those climbs....

[Mo'Phat]

Pretty simple, if you have a good working base to start with. I basically just dropped my bike off at the LBS and $60 bucks later it was converted to SS for me, labor and part in all.


Which LBS?

[jsigone]

Alpha Bikes in Vista, talk to Chris. I dropped it off friday at lunch and it was done by 4, so I picked it up after work.

[roadfix]

hey fixer, what gear ratio do you use for normal rides and those that involve climbs like GMR?

I'm on 48x18 right now, don't know how its gonna feel on those climbs....

I've ridden up GMR using 46x18. That's usually my all around gear which involves some climbing. Without hills, I usually have 46x15 or 16.

[jsigone]

I've ridden up GMR using 46x18. That's usually my all around gear which involves some climbing. Without hills, I usually have 46x15 or 16.

I hope my legs are strong enough to push this gear up some climbs like that. I'll find out sure enough soon:D

[octico]

Hey Jeff I picked up a "nice" Fuji road bike. I want to convert it to a single speed. I was wondering how you converted that old hub to a single speed.

[jsigone]

they just removed the threaded cassette, screwed in a BMX freewheel with lock ring and BAM singlespeed. If you want a fixer, just get a new rear wheel cuz the older style aren't designed for it. I have MTB cranks on there with the big ring on the inside of the 5 star to get the chain line perfect. Check those rims and make sure they have a lip on the inside of them to grab the tires. The one that came on the bike didn't have the lip and the tires kept sliding off the rim from just rolling it around. The LBS swapped those POS rims for some good one w/ the lip for only $20 wheelset.

[octico]

Here are the pics of the bke:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/68/392712634_f8d6856c50.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/392712635_15dc3661fa.jpg

[octico]

I plan on keeping the rear cage/rack. Then adding some fenders to it. I want to paint it because of rust, but I would hate to lose the decals ... the are in pristine condition.

[jsigone]

yah I'd take care of the rust for sure. Dont want any weak spots in the frame. Good find though!!!
Funny how my $29 craiglist bike turned into about $250 bike now LOL