Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Buy it, convert it, flip it?

I was at a hospice thrift shop today and they had a Univega Gran Turismo touring bike there for $30. It's obviously seen a lot of miles, but was in good condition. Double butted chromoly, ~55cm frame, randonneur bars, nice dia-compe brake levers with hoods (no suicide levers), shimano downtube shifters mated to a full shimano 15sp drivetrain, Sakae crankset (with really tiny BCD), MKS AR2 pedals with clips...even came with a frame pump and rack. The thing has cantilever brakes (meaning it could be a great winter fixie with knobbies) but could also run calipers.

I have an urge to buy it, convert it, and flip it to a friend or craigslist. Maybe not as a fixie but at least as a budget SS (running the 5sp freewheel in a single cog). I don't know...is it not even worth it? I keep seeing great old road bikes that could be so sweet with some time and a little money. I can barely afford keeping up the bikes I already have.

Here's a similar Gran Turismo, only taller and bluer:
http://www.e-barneys.com/barneysbicycle/images/inventory/used/UB054.jpg

lol i just bought this

I would say fix it up as original and flip it. The Gran Turismo was a nice touring bike. I bought one locally last year for $20 and sold it for $100 less than a week later without doing anything to it.

Sounds like a nice bike to me for the money. No turkey levers, no dork disk. Thumbs up.

lol i just bought this

No ****ing way! :D What are you planning to do with it?

I would ride it as is- well, I would add racks. Touring bikes make great commute bikes and even better camping bikes (obviously). It does look a bit bigger than a 55 though.

I would ride it as is- well, I would add racks. Touring bikes make great commute bikes and even better camping bikes (obviously). It does look a bit bigger than a 55 though.

Read my post. I said it has a rack and that is only a picture of a similar model.

No ****ing way! :D What are you planning to do with it? just joshing dude, i jsut wanted to freak you out haha sorry, but definately capitalize on that deal!

just joshing dude, i jsut wanted to freak you out haha sorry, but definately capitalize on that deal!

You want it? I'm down for buying it but I personally don't have much of a use for it. I just think it would be fun to fix up and I'm sure someone will love riding it.

Those look like center-pull brakes, assuming those brakes are similar to the ones on the bike your speaking of.

Those look like center-pull brakes, assuming those brakes are similar to the ones on the bike your speaking of.

The bike I found has cantis.

seems like a bit of a waste.. looks like a nice triple setup with good quality parts..
go climb some hills...




I have an urge to buy it, convert it, and flip it to a friend or craigslist. Maybe not as a fixie but at least as a budget SS (running the 5sp freewheel in a single cog). I don't know...is it not even worth it? I keep seeing great old road bikes that could be so sweet with some time and a little money. I can barely afford keeping up the bikes I already have.

Here's a similar Gran Turismo, only taller and bluer:
http://www.e-barneys.com/barneysbicycle/images/inventory/used/UB054.jpg

yeah dont convert that bike unless it cant be made to run gears with ease