Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - newbie questions...

Hello,
I've been searching this forum for a few days and decided I NEED to build a fixie. I have an old FUJI (thrift store find) with horizontal dropouts that will be the cost effective way to start this...so I'd like to modify if I could.

I have a few questions though...here goes.


1. What geometry should I be looking for? Is a fixie frame supposed to be smaller or larger, or will any frame that fits traditionally be OK? The Fuji is about right for me.

2. Can I just reuse the front wheel (700c) or do I need to change that hub setup?

3. Is a flip flop hub an easy alternative to balance $$ and hassle.

4. The front crank arms are 171, is that too long for a fixed? I read alot of people run 165.


I'm sure to have more question in the next few weeks... so thanks in advance,
PJBAZ

Your front wheel shouldn't need any kind of change. If you're considering using two different gearing ratios or using a freewheel on one side, a flip-flop hub is a great idea, and it's much cost-effective to have it and use it eventually than to get a one-sided hub and then replace it later on. The reason for having shorter cranks on a fixed bike is mainly to avoid striking them on the ground while leaning into a turn, since you can't coast and keep the inside crank up.

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/ should be able to answer a lot of your questions, and the http://lists.davintech.ca/mailman/listinfo/fixed-gear fixed gear mailing list is also really informative.

1) I ride fixie on the same size frame I ride geared.

2) You shouldn't have to do a thing to the front wheel.

3) I like my basic suzue flip-flop. Works fine.

4) I ride on 170's and have never had any problems with striking. I don't blast around turns, though, and the PX10E is a neat turner due to a very steep frame geometry. Your bottom bracket height is also a concern.

Thanks for the info...although I looked last night and I have 27" rims , not 700C so I need to check all the sizing stuff out before I decide what to do. Also, I loked at the crankset I have and the big ring is forever installed, no chance of taking it off because it's one piece to the arm...so I might need to replace the whole smear.

BUT, if I end up needing to do all that I might just find a way to pony up the extra $$$ and buy a Pista and slap on a front brake.
PJ

it has one piece cranks?

It's likely a setup where the big ring is actually one piece with the spider. Not uncommon on lower end 70s/80s bikes. Still a three piece crank setup.

You could also build a back wheel on a 27" rim. The main problem with riding on 27" wheels is the lessened tire selection. You can generally find 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 width tires easily, but not narrower. You can cut the old hub out of your thrift store fuji and rebuild the wheel around a flip-flop, which is the route I'd take.

The wider tire is not a bad thing, if you're riding in an urban setting. I prefer a slightly wider tire on my fixie, because it's an around-town bike. I ride with a 28.

I would use a front brake if you're riding in an urban setting. There are those who will argue with me on this, but I like a redundant braking system-- ie, if one brake fails, the other can back me up.

Yes, it is a three piece crank, but the big ring IS part of the spiders...not molded but press fit or something. Last night I was thinking about cutting the hub out and rebuilding around a flip flop. Tire width is not much of an issue as I plan on making this a fun bike, not a race machine at all, basically a "grocery getter."

I was planning on using the front branke for sure.

I'm going to stop at my LBS to see what I can find today...maybe they have some of these parts lying around, but I doubt it.

PJ