Classic & Vintage - fixed gear project

Hi there,

I've always wanted to do a fixed gear with an older bike, I got these 2 candidates to build one, which of the 2 would be better to make it into a fixie, I choose these because I like the lugged look on the fixie. have no idea what they are except one says kia meridian and the other one is an older schwinn

here's some pics

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0408.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0410.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0411.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0414.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0417.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0418.jpg


Thanks for your help.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c107/guzziee/DSC_0420.jpg

Do whichever one fits you better.

I just built a fixie, you will have a blast on either, they both will work fine. Both bikes look made for comfort rather than for speed.

If they both fit equally well then use the one with a higher bottombracket clearance.
Pedal strikes are not fun. (Or you could use Speedplay pedals to gain more cornering lean)

Converting to FG means solving the chainline problem. In short this usually means both trying to bring the bring the chainring in as tight as possible and then respacing/redishing the rear wheel as much as necessary to meet the chainline given by the chainring.

Therefore, pick the bike (or perhaps the crankset) that allows the most options for moving CL in. Chainrings that can be unbolted and shifted to the inside of the spider arms is good.

jim

Converting to FG means solving the chainline problem. In short this usually means both trying to bring the bring the chainring in as tight as possible and then respacing/redishing the rear wheel as much as necessary to meet the chainline given by the chainring.

Therefore, pick the bike (or perhaps the crankset) that allows the most options for moving CL in. Chainrings that can be unbolted and shifted to the inside of the spider arms is good.

jim

You can often move the inner chainring closer to the bike's midline with spacers and longer crank bolts.
If you are lucky you may not even have to redish your rear wheel.
A straight chain line is a beautiful thing.
Be careful not to get the chain too tight as this binds the drivetrain and wears everthing out far too soon.

yeah, whichever fits better. I'd pick the Schwinn. You should be able to reuse the brakes, handlebars, stem, saddle, seatpost, front wheels. The Meridian has cottered cranks while the Schwinn has a triple crank. I'd get a road crank with 130mm BCD and use that for the fixie. Get a fixed/fixed hub from Harris Cyclery and have the local LBS rebuild your back wheel with it.

On the road crank, use a 46 or 48T chainring on the inside of the spider. This is to better match the width of the rear hub so your chainline is straight(or nearly so). You'll need some shorter bolts but you can find those at the LBS or Harris cyclery again.

I'd get new brake cables and housing. While you technically don't need a rear brake with a fixed gear bike, I still recommend one. A front one most definitely. Don't worry, you can still choose not to use the brakes and do mad skids but there will be a time when you will be dang glad you had those brakes.

Have fun!

pretty good suggestions, thanks!

convert the schwinn, and sell the meridian.


the schwinn has slightly tighter geometry and better cranks, but you'll need new chain and pedals at a minimum.

keep all the old stuff and sell it when somene posts a request on eBay. you'd be surprised what some of the screws and so on sell for.