Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Top Vintages Bikes (for fixe ss conversion)

I'm looking to build a fixie flip flip 1-speed from a vintage frame, and slap some nice new light wheels on it, paint it up real nice and simple.

Looking for a foundation, you know, some of the best built frames to look out for that are built solidly.

I plan to ride to work a few days a week (20 miles each way - flat roads) & for recreation.

I do have an old "Sprite" by a company called "General" but I've read that they were a super cheap product.

Any suggestions?

Anything.

nothing.

vintage frames are trash. get a bianchi concept

IMO, any "top" vintage bike really shouldn't get converted (removing paint, spray painting, etc). If you are just looking for something to commute on, any mid-range lugged Japanese bike should do the trick (miyata, nishiki, etc). The quality is great and you can find them in need of some TLC for a decent price.

vintage frames are trash. get a bianchi concept

::rolling up a newspaper to smack you like a dog that just pissed on the rug:: no, bad!

IMO, any "top" vintage bike really shouldn't get converted (removing paint, spray painting, etc). If you are just looking for something to commute on, any mid-range lugged Japanese bike should do the trick (miyata, nishiki, etc). The quality is great and you can find them in need of some TLC for a decent price.

Agreed, the top models should be restored, as they are few and far between,

look on ebay. for frame only. you can usually get a decent frame for 100-400 depending on what make and model. If you are not to particular about the frame you can great deals on frames people have already tainted (painted, removed braze ons etc). But be careful when looking for vintage frames. Pay attention to condition (is there any rust) and how things are threaded (is it french)
In a nutshell, look for something in the middle of road like <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raleigh-Carlton-Super-Course-MKII-Frameset_W0QQitemZ200222979301QQihZ010QQcategoryZ159000QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem">this</a> High end bikes hold their value, and if you are converting it you don't need all the campy bits.

Get an older (late '70s-early '80s) entry-level Trek (300 or 400 series).

best bet is find an old rare pinarello or colnago road bike (anything classic italian)... strip the components and throw em in the trash since they're prolly junk... take all brazeons/cablestays/hangers off with a grinder or hack saw... powdercoat it so nobody knows its old... probably black is your best bet.

Get an older (late '70s-early '80s) entry-level Trek (300 or 400 series).

Trek 400 will be great as will any of the Tenax Schwinns (Prelude, Premis, Tempo). These are great riding, but not terribly sought after frames that will have standard sized parts.

So what o you think of just going with the frame I've got? The General "Sprite" -I can post pics later today.

admittedly i know little about the frame that you have but

1) does it have a 1 piece crank
2) does it weigh a ton
3) can you afford better

if yes to any of these questions then i would say no.

If you are going to be going 20 miles each way i would say get something that is at least niceish...

riding crap sucks... 20 miles is a long way and this should be fun.

Does your Sprite have stamped or forged dropouts? If they are stamped, get rid of the bike, not worth your time.

You can ask this question in the Classic and Vintage forum; they recently had this thread with some very nice conversions: LINK (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=414911)

Trek 400 will be great as will any of the Tenax Schwinns (Prelude, Premis, Tempo). These are great riding, but not terribly sought after frames that will have standard sized parts.

Agreed. 1 tiny caveat about Treks is that starting about the mid-80s they started using their own dropouts, which are a bit short compared to the Campy 1010, so you may have issues using a flip flop cog where the difference is more than 1 or 2 teeth.

Got some images up: http://www.gmflint.com/sprite.jpg

Its not very nice, i mean its hi ten tubing. I'd convert it though, and replace the bb and cranks.

Got some images up: http://www.gmflint.com/sprite.jpg

If you life the way it fits and rides, go for it. It will never be the lightest bike on the street, but that doesn't mean it can't be a nice ride.