Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Suitable frame for fixie conversion?

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streners
05-11-03, 04:04 PM
I'd been looking for a suitable frame for converting into a fixie. I'd been looking for a frame that took 700c wheels and that was lugged. It didn't have to be in mint condition because I felt I'd quite like to repaint it anyway.

I found this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3608109408&category=22681&rd=1

It's the right frame size, I've currently got a 63cm trek 370 from 1994 (the first year they tig welded) and I like that a lot but it has vertical dropouts. The BB and HS need replacing, the BB is a 68mm English type. The rear dropout has a 126mm spacing.

Would it be ok to file off all the extra stuff off the frame such as gear bosses and cable routing etc? I'd really quite like to have a smooth frame.

What do people think about using this frame as a basis for a fixedgear conversion? Do I need longer dropouts for the rear wheel? These ones look pretty minimal to me and I'd prefer to not have to use a singleator. I read on sheldon brown's website about some fixed hubs that have some adjustment in them too. Does anyone have any experience with these?

Would a wheel with 120mm spacing be ok? I'm guessing with 6mm you can squeeze the frame tight. If so what do people think about this rear wheel:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3607572855&category=36144&rd=1

Thanks for help and advice,

Simon


Spoke Wrench
05-11-03, 04:19 PM
I don't think that any frame with vertical dropouts is going to make a very good fixed gear. It will work as a single speed with a singelator to take up the chain stretch, but not as a fixed gear because you won't be able to back pedal.

Rev.Chuck
05-11-03, 08:17 PM
Keep looking, an older model Trek(or older most anything) should have horizontal dropouts on it.
Unless you know someone who can replace those dropouts with some track dropouts.


sshock4
05-11-03, 08:37 PM
if you travel down to philly and visit via bike shop they will weld on track rear ends for 50 bucks, if you really want to use that frame, i could give you the best description i can on how to use a frame with forward facing drops for a fixie.

streners
05-11-03, 11:37 PM
Thanks guys I'll keep looking out for frames. Maybe I'll find something more suitable back in england.