Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Would this work? (I'm new to this world)

Yes, it's true. I'm new to this world and this world of fixies.

Anyways, I found a bike that was slowing dieing so I thought I'd try to build it up. However, I'm new to all this fixed gear stuff. Could you reccomend some good resources for parts or manuals to help with building and cleaning? Would you mind taking a look at the bike I stripped down? I want to know if it will work as a fixed conversion. Thanks!

The bike I got came from Steve Hed's shop while he still worked there.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2057/1875747272_d420e30c36_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/1875748078_80357554d4_b.jpg

Thanks!

Chris

Yup, that will do.

start here;
http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

'nother good place right under our noses!
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=287364

The first thing you really need is a fixed wheelset, rather a fixed rear wheel setup. I would check out some local shops that deal with fixed gears (some snobby shops will just turn you away or look at you like your a delinquent). A crank set is next, make sure to get a gear ratio that will work for you in your area. I know there is some spreadsheet with front and rear cogs that tells your the overall ratio. umm, this sounds liek rambling. But after that find a set of bars and a front brake. and some pedals... chain... maybe some other odds and ends. It looks like your at a good start though, post up questions when they come to you.

That'll work nicely. Good looking frame, too.

Yes, it's true. I'm new to this world and this world of fixies.




nice frame chris. it looks like a fun project, and a fun ride.


welcome to the forum. two words of wisdom:

1. stop using the word "fixie." people say it because...well, i don't know why they say it. it's like the word "puggle" or "tutu" or "frufru". "there's my lil fixie! theeere's mama's lil fixie! yesh you are!! yesh you ARE mama's lil fixie!"

2. there isn't a thread on this part of the board that doesn't contain an argument or something unnecessarily negative (see #1 above. i've attempted to add the negativity early on about something fairly mundane in hopes that the rest of the thread will be relatively docile.)

3. just for...posterity's sake: don't be afraid to ask question as you're building up your fixed gear. i remember asking lots of questions (i think.) do your best to ask informed questions, and do your best to let any insults you may receive later roll of your back.


4. so, who made that frame anyways?

[edit]: 5. and where are you from?

Thanks for the advice joshuastar! It's a zebra! (zebrakenko)

man--I like that frame, esp w/ the fork. just tried to find for you a thread from this summer that, while it doesn't tell you how to do the build, includes a nice list of all the parts you'll need--most importantly, all the little parts you'll forget about. sorry no joy. maybe someone else will remember it and have better luck finding it.

That frame must be gorgeous in direct sunlight. Love the lugged chrome fork. The crown looks a lot like the one on my Panasonic, only chromed.

Youngin, this is an ideal frame and especially for a first time build. The good thing is that after stripping down the frame of you parts you're not going to use, your still half way there. As werksmini stated before you are going to need to purchase a wheelset for fixed gear.

If the frame is built around a 27" wheel you have two choices, Stick with the 27" wheel or the switch to a 700c wheel. The difference between both is, with a 27" your limited to tires choices and actually wheel choice. Not many companies make a 27" fixed rear wheel. 700c is your best bet, you have a large amount of wheels sets, rims, and tires to choose from if you go this route.

another thing to look at is your brake, If your stick with a 27" wheel your brake will work no problem, but, if you use a 700 wheel you run the chance of having your brake not reach the rim. This is easily solved by purchasing a long reach brake, from there you will have no problem.

Other items you will be needing:
Crankset
handlebars
chain
brake and brake lever

Hope your build turns out okay and keep us posted on how it turns out.

Today I got most of the supplies. I have a new bottom bracket, a new set of 27" rims with a flip-flop and nice sugino crank set. Things still to get:
lock ring and back gear sprocket
front brake
handle bar tape.
chain

anyone have any ideas for cheap but alright bike parts? I'm going to end up spending about as much as some new track bikes! That reminds me, I rode a Bianchi Pista today. uhhhh... wow.

I also need some help on learning how to brake, any suggestions?

good call getting 27inch wheels.
i put 700s on a frame built for 27s once, and it looked like crap; but i'm just really anal about that kind of stuff.

for the cog and lockring make sure you don't skimp. for the cog go with something like surly, dura ace or eai... lockring, just get something reputable like dura ace. if you go cheap on those you could really mess up your hub.
for the chain, just go with a kmc bmx chain: about ten bucks at your lbs or ebay.
for the brake, just look around. you'll find a good deal.

as far as learning to brake, the easiest way is to squeeze the brake lever. seriously, don't push learning skidding or anything. if you want tips or pointers just search the forums, there have been countless threads on that, or look on youtube. if you're a new rider you should seriously go with a brake until you get more confident on the bike. you don't want to put your life in the hands of your skidding abilities if it's your first time on a brakeless setup.

Drivetrain suggestions...

Cogs and chainrings come in two widths, 3/32" and 1/8" and you need different chains for either (well, you can run a 1/8" chain over 3/32" gears, but it's not so great of an idea). Which size to go with is one of the most common threads we get around here, so do some searching if you really want to, but it typically boils down to this: 3/32" will be quieter and 1/8" will last longer, and they're both strong enough. Now availability is another matter. You already got your cranks and chainring, so you should probably just go with the width your chainring is now. For future reference, it's easy to find 3/32" width chainrings in 110 and 130 BCD, and easy to find 1/8" in 144 BCD. There are always exceptions though.

My experience has been with 3/32" drivetrains. I like the standard steel EAI (Euro Asia Imports) cogs, they're high quality, and the quietest I've had. I've also tried Suntour and Phil Wood, and they were louder (how loud the drivetrain is was originally a deciding factor for me, but I don't care that much anymore, so if you don't care either.. you can pretty much get whatever). Best 3/32" chain I've used was a SRAM PC-68, though you can go with a 58 or 48 depending on your budget, they just won't last as long. The masterlink is very nice, unlike some KMC masterlinks you don't need tools to open it. I've also tried KMC Z-chains, and they were loud. I'm not a fan of Sugino chainrings (although all my chainrings currently are made by Sugino.. haha) because the tooth profile lends itself to noise. But it's just a little noise, and with a steel frame you probably won't hear much anyway (aluminum tends to act as a sounding board more than steel). I really like Salsa chainrings.

Your local shop probably doesn't have these exact parts (though they may be able to order them for you) so if you're going to order online, I think www.harriscyclery.net stocks everything I mentioned. Anyway, that's just me being anal about parts.. what's important is that you get out there and ride.

Ok, I'm nearly done, like a few minutes away. How do I put this track chain together? I've got it measured out but there are three parts to it, not like a "regular" chain. Please help!

Ok, I'm nearly done, like a few minutes away. How do I put this track chain together? I've got it measured out but there are three parts to it, not like a "regular" chain. Please help!

not a regular chain?

pictures?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2024809674_380a8fb878_o.jpg

I also need some help on learning how to brake, any suggestions?

One thing not really written explicitly anywhere is that you'll need toe clips to learn how to skid. I would definitely run a front brake for learning. You'll see that skidding isn't hugely difficult but, as new fixed rider myself, I definitely don't think it would be my first instinct in an emergency situation. And I don't have the legs to be in total control brakeless down some hills.

I've got toe clips and am looking for a cheapo front brake and just get some good pads for it.

Thanks to everyone!!! I finished just 30 seconds ago. I'm gona go take it for a spin and I'll post pics when I get back!

quick link

cut the chain so both ends are inner parts
put the pinned plate pictured in your hand through both ends connecting them.
slip the other place over the exposed end of the pins.
snap the wierd looking thing over the grooves in the pins.

How to install your masterlink:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/upthecrooks/2024809674_380a8fb878_o.jpg

1) wrap the chain around cog & chainring. (i've always found it easiest to leave the "opening" on the top)
2) insert part #1 into the two "ends" of the chain.
3) press part #2 onto the pins of part #1.
4) slide part #3 over the pins of part #1 on the outside of part #2. (open end facing rearward)


EDIT:
dutret beat me too it. and he included the chain cutting/breaking part. (i suck)

I fear for the chain line on this bike. I hope the crank + bottom bracket combo lines up with whatever chain line your wheels create.

I fear for the chain line on this bike. I hope the crank + bottom bracket combo lines up with whatever chain line your wheels create.


???

Considering that this is his first build, and he has been very open about wanting to learn, maybe some helpful input would be more effective.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/2024734185_bd06ed1b11_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2024734199_1b4bde7092_m.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2234/2024734417_5076c84278_m.jpg

After riding it up and down the road (it was dark) I only nearly got bucked off once. It is super quiet, probably because of all the new parts, but I love it. It's a 46 X 15. I put new bar tape on, new bottom bracket, new rims, tires tubes. The pedals didn't work so well, but I don't have much money to spend on it anymore. Its a durace sprocket so that should last a bit. Thanks everyone, please critique it!

I am doing a conversion on a very similar bike, a 1980 Lotus Elan. It has been quite the learning experience. I am also sticking with 27" wheels and am awaiting delivery.

RFC

One thing I didn't expect. I had to file out the fork. It works fine, but it was unexpected. The Hub (my LBS) helped out a ton, thanks go out to them.

Here is one larger picture.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2024734165_68bd1bf07f_b.jpg

How to install your masterlink:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b60/upthecrooks/2024809674_380a8fb878_o.jpg

1) wrap the chain around cog & chainring. (i've always found it easiest to leave the "opening" on the top)
2) insert part #1 into the two "ends" of the chain.
3) press part #2 onto the pins of part #1.
4) slide part #3 over the pins of part #1 on the outside of part #2. (open end facing rearward)


EDIT:
dutret beat me too it. and he included the chain cutting/breaking part. (i suck)

Why place the lock clip (part 3) with the open end facing the rear of your bike ?

Why place the lock clip (part 3) with the open end facing the rear of your bike ?

The idea is that if the clip were to somehow contact something that it could get caught on, it can't be pulled off the masterlink.

although some would say it's due to OCD....

One thing I didn't expect. I had to file out the fork. It works fine, but it was unexpected. The Hub (my LBS) helped out a ton, thanks go out to them.


This is a long shot seeing how "The Hub" is a rather generic bike shop name... but is it The Hub in East Providence?

They are located in Minnesota. I'm just one of those annoying kids that comes in a lot, but can't afford much, but I highly recommend them.

One thing I didn't expect. I had to file out the fork. It works fine, but it was unexpected. The Hub (my LBS) helped out a ton, thanks go out to them.

Here is one larger picture.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2024734165_68bd1bf07f_b.jpg

Nice job -- naked frame to a complete bike in just over a week. Now sell one of those guitars and buy yourself an aerospoke.

I could never do that, they're not mine! :-P I'm just a youngin, they are all my dad's. I plan on learning how to brake/ getting a brake first :-).

The idea is that if the clip were to somehow contact something that it could get caught on, it can't be pulled off the masterlink.

although some would say it's due to OCD....



Got it ! Cheers ! - Small, but nonetheless worthwhile tip :)

that's a great looking frame! i'm really diggin' it! nicely done.