Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - new fixed-gear convert... a couple questions

i recently inherited a schwinn le tour road bike, and promptly began tearing it down to convert it to fixed gear. there was some rust so i had a guy i know sandblast it and i have yet to choose a color to paint it. i am, however, beginning to purchase the parts for it. so far all i've got on order are a pair of Mavic CPX-22's (stock wheel's spokes had rusted... didn't want to re-use).

i'm planning on recycling (hehe) the front brake (i took it apart and shined it up, will post pics later), the handle bars, and hopefully the pedals. what i still need to get are a chain, tires, and i'm assuming a new crankset with bottom bracket. i found this one on sheldon's website and it's in my price range : http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2822 . is it any good? what about a bottom bracket? also, could anyone recommend a chain/tires?

i'm pretty pumped about this build as i love riding/building/modifying anything with two wheels (also ride a yamaha r6). i've been lurking around for a couple days and thought i'd finally post up to get some input. thanks in advance.

edit: i should say this is only my second bicycle.. my first was a mongoose bmx i got when i was quite young.. rode the hell out of it until a couple of years ago. i've learned quite a bit about this bike already from taking it apart/cleaning it, but it is my first project fixed-gear so take it easy on me :twitchy:

here are a couple of pictures of the bike when i first got it:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0231.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0230.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0239.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0224.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0226.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0229-1.jpg

looks like a nice project, but if you plan on using your brake, i'd get a new front brake. if reach is a problem you can get long reach road brakes

you should have fun with. i have a le tour conversion and i like it.

The bike is going to be a money sink - are you prepared to spend more than you would pay for a brand new one?

looks like a nice project, but if you plan on using your brake, i'd get a new front brake. if reach is a problem you can get long reach road brakes

you should have fun with. i have a le tour conversion and i like it.

are you saying it won't work with the new wheel, or get a new one just because it's old?

what have you done to yours? would you happen to have any pictures of it?


The bike is going to be a money sink - are you prepared to spend more than you would pay for a brand new one?

why is that? genuinely curious. aside from the new parts i need to get (which i'm willing to shell out for). see, i don't exactly have a car, so this bike is kind of a godsend :lol:. i take public transport and walk the rest of the way, so this will be my main mode of transportation. so yea, i guess you could say i'm willing to drop some coin into it.

the bike also has some nostalgic/sentimental value... my girlfriend's dad gave it to me, was his old bike and i told him i'd restore it. i'm gonna try to reuse the parts listed in the first post, but if i can't i'll just find another alternative.

if it has sentimental value, go with it. otherwise get a windsor "the hour" or motobecane messenger.

^where are those made? the motobecane.

and yes, i'm pretty dead set on building this one up. i've only had it a week or two and already love it. i'm itching to get it done and get out and ride already. just need to get the damn parts list in order :lol:

Those cranks are nothing fancy but will work a million times better than the ones that are on there (assuming they're the ones with the chainrings permanently attached to the spider - if not, you can take off one of the rings and get a new BB to give you a straight chainline, and you should be fine). If you get the origin8 cranks, you will need to get a 103mm BB.

The brake issue is that, if you're replacing your 27" wheels with modern 700c ones, the rims will be a little bit further from the brake, so you may have to get a longer brake to get good contact.

There's plenty of threads about chains and tires, FWIW. Good luck!

Those cranks are nothing fancy but will work a million times better than the ones that are on there (assuming they're the ones with the chainrings permanently attached to the spider - if not, you can take off one of the rings and get a new BB to give you a straight chainline, and you should be fine). If you get the origin8 cranks, you will need to get a 103mm BB.

The brake issue is that, if you're replacing your 27" wheels with modern 700c ones, the rims will be a little bit further from the brake, so you may have to get a longer brake to get good contact.

There's plenty of threads about chains and tires, FWIW. Good luck!


what i did with my conversion, is replace teh BB and cranks, flipped my wheel *my bike came stock with a flip flop hub, very strange* and got a cog and lockring. im bidding on a 700c wheelset right now. the stock 27" tires are original from 1973 and cracked/weathered. plus the wheels are crazy heavy.

Don't convert that. Restore it and have it as a road bike... especially if it has sentimental value.
Plus, as already pointed out, it's going to be a money pit. You are better off just cleaning it up and restoring it. If you really want to get on a fixed for cheap, check out BD's Kilo, Hour, or Messenger.

Those cranks are nothing fancy but will work a million times better than the ones that are on there (assuming they're the ones with the chainrings permanently attached to the spider - if not, you can take off one of the rings and get a new BB to give you a straight chainline, and you should be fine). If you get the origin8 cranks, you will need to get a 103mm BB.

The brake issue is that, if you're replacing your 27" wheels with modern 700c ones, the rims will be a little bit further from the brake, so you may have to get a longer brake to get good contact.

There's plenty of threads about chains and tires, FWIW. Good luck!

thanks mate, that's what i was looking for :D

how is this one? http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2140


Don't convert that. Restore it and have it as a road bike... especially if it has sentimental value.
Plus, as already pointed out, it's going to be a money pit. You are better off just cleaning it up and restoring it. If you really want to get on a fixed for cheap, check out BD's Kilo, Hour, or Messenger.

like i said, bike's already stripped and waiting for paint, all components removed (most are rusted/corroded). i'm trying to bring back to life some of the parts (brakes, light housing + generator, bars), but a lot of it is a total loss.


again, why is it a money pit? two people have said it and no explanation.

youll spend just as much to convert that as you would getting a new bike. new bike>conversion

^^^bull****. read the original post, he loves working on bikes, ergo, it follows, no money pit. just wheels cog chain (crank)>greater than a sucky generic chinese bike any bottom feeding ****** could get. you're visions great it's what you want don't let the negative energy bring you down, let it make you stronger!. i'm buzzed so take no responsibility for any entusiastic encouragement or disparaging comments that may or may not be proffered. rock on, dude!

^^^bull****. read the original post, he loves working on bikes, ergo, it follows, no money pit. just wheels cog chain (crank)>greater than a sucky generic chinese bike any bottom feeding ****** could get. you're visions great it's what you want don't let the negative energy bring you down, let it make you stronger!. i'm buzzed so take no responsibility for any entusiastic encouragement or disparaging comments that may or may not be proffered. rock on, dude!


I'm with this guy 100% . This is not a money pit. Check into your local bike co-op or buy parts from craigslist.It's not going to take much to get this thing looking great.Also, points for not owning the same bike as every one else . Do it man and don't let this forum discourage you.

This is why it is going to be a money pit:


Check into your local bike co-op or buy parts from craigslist.

The only way to make a conversion cheaper than a new bike is to get way discounted parts, and your only option for way cheap parts is to get used parts. And often used parts are overused or slightly damaged. So you'll probably replace a few things on your bike a couple of times over its lifetime.

...but that's okay! It's totally a blast to do. The bike I've got right now is totally Frankensteined from bike co-op parts. As long as you're willing to deal with the difficulty of dealing with cheap parts it's a little bit cheaper and, in my opinion, way more satisfying.

Just my thoughts.

opinion , as is mine.Good luck , I think you will find it rewarding!

woosh! thanks guys, really appreciate the kind words. i knew i'd get opposition as well as praise, but i'm a pretty determined individual and nothing makes me happier than to improve on something great already.



^^^bull****. read the original post, he loves working on bikes, ergo, it follows, no money pit. just wheels cog chain (crank)>greater than a sucky generic chinese bike any bottom feeding ****** could get. you're visions great it's what you want don't let the negative energy bring you down, let it make you stronger!. i'm buzzed so take no responsibility for any entusiastic encouragement or disparaging comments that may or may not be proffered. rock on, dude!

have you seen Kelly's Heroes? you remind me of Sgt. Oddball with the negative waves :lol:


Oddball: Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?
Moriarty: Crap! :lol:


I'm with this guy 100% . This is not a money pit. Check into your local bike co-op or buy parts from craigslist.It's not going to take much to get this thing looking great.Also, points for not owning the same bike as every one else . Do it man and don't let this forum discourage you.

thank you kind sir. i'll be sure to keep this thread updated as i progress.

here are some pics of the brakes , crankset and bottom bracket (disassembled)

i guess cleaning the front brake was pretty pointless, but at least it looks good! :lol:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0287-1.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0290.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0291.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0292.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0293.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0294.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0300.jpg





also, i asked in another thread but i thought i'd ask here as well...

how do i know if a bottom bracket will fit my bike? as i'm looking to purchase a new crankset, i'd like to get a new bottom bracket as well. one side is threaded clockwise, and the other CCW.

the reason i ask is, i found a crankset + bb combo (Andel), and it says "english 68 x 110.5 bottom bracket"

i spent about 6 mos or so looking at cheap bikes (the hour, kilo tt, etc) and looking for an old bike to convert. what i found is that it looks like i can build a bike for only a little more than one of those cheap new ones and have the fun of building it myself. itll take some time to find the deals on the parts but thats no big deal. the bike i found was this khs olympian. i dont know anything about it other than it was free.

^nice find. looks like a fun project bike :D


i recently got my frame + forks back from the powdercoater. well, here is the result:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0309.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0314.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0315.jpg


looks like candy :love:


got the crankset and wheels in this week, but they forgot to include the bottom bracket :mad:. either way, bike should be done within the week.

oh damn. that blue is awesome

I love the headlight and the rack!

thanks guys :D

the headlight i'm planning on reusing, and i also got the rack pc'ed .. he included it in the price of the frame and fork so i thought why not :p. it's pretty spiffy. nice clean welds.. don't know about a brand name but it says made in italy.

really great looking blue -- nice!

Oh sweet, I actually just got a Le Tour myself, and am planning on rebuilding it and converting it to a fixed/ss as well! So this is great! I hope you don't mind if I ask you questions along the way as well. I don't think I'll be rebuilding anytime soon, I'm still trying to look for parts and such. But so far everything looks great with the conversion/rebuilding. Keep it up

damn. you shoulve taken off the bearing cups before you powdercoated it! either way...nice color.

youll spend just as much to convert that as you would getting a new bike. new bike>conversion

A new bike that has no class or style, made in China and common as h*ll.

My opinion here, but a fixed needs to be an honest to god track bike, or an older frame with some sort of heritage, and that includes a grocery getter from the 1970's, a Keirin racer, anything but a "Fixie" bike where the manufacturer had it built for pennies by slave labor specifically to roll some kid.

I just don't get the cool vibes from a Kona or a new Motobecane or any of these bikes. No class.

No flame on the Post, just needed a stepping stone to rant!

A new bike that has no class or style, made in China and common as h*ll.

My opinion here, but a fixed needs to be an honest to god track bike, or an older frame with some sort of heritage, and that includes a grocery getter from the 1970's, a Keirin racer, anything but a "Fixie" bike where the manufacturer had it built for pennies by slave labor specifically to roll some kid.

I mostly use my bike for riding. You'd be surprised how little the things you listed affect the actual ride of a bike.


That powdercoat is ****ing slick

I would put the bike together with the original bottom bracket first. The crankset you linked to is good, I have the same one on one of my bikes. If you need to alter the chainline, measure the spindle of the bottom bracket you have to calculate what length you need to buy.

Was it complicated to take out the bottom bearing? You're supposed to have a special tool, correct?

I can;t wait to see the finished build... I love that blue.

Good on you! I'm in the same boat... was going to spend $100 on a CL bike and fix it up. Ended up spending more than that on a frameset only (frame w/ fork) and buying all the parts via EBay/online and local bike shops. It's going to run me more than a ready to go fixie, but in the end, I wanted to build up an old lugged frame which will have character. :)

On a side note, I tore down my bottom bracket and headset tonight, cleaned them and reinstalled everything. I used Phil's waterproof grease and it's not as smooth as the white lithium grease which was in there. Can get this stuff at your local auto shop. White marine grease seems to be similar. Ton of opinions on grease so I'll stop there.

Another tip for those older aluminum parts - sand paper / oven cleaner / polish (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=3677840&postcount=38).

somegeek

A new bike that has no class or style, made in China and common as h*ll.

My opinion here, but a fixed needs to be an honest to god track bike, or an older frame with some sort of heritage, and that includes a grocery getter from the 1970's, a Keirin racer, anything but a "Fixie" bike where the manufacturer had it built for pennies by slave labor specifically to roll some kid.

I just don't get the cool vibes from a Kona or a new Motobecane or any of these bikes. No class.

No flame on the Post, just needed a stepping stone to rant!

God forbid people don't think you're classy whilst riding your bike! That sure would be awful. I'm not sure if I could take the pain of riding a bike that didn't have that 'cool factor'.

i really love that color.
how much did the powder coating end up costing?

dang.. haven't been around here for a while. busybusybusy!

the thing rides like a dream. i've since put clips and a front brake on it, although i want to upgrade to a newer setup. can anyone recommend a cheap front brake + cable + lever?

edit: the pc job cost $125 for frame, forks and rack. couldn't be happier with the quality.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0598_2.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0573_2.jpg

Nice bike. Only thing that matters is how much you love your own ride. I hope you're still car-free!

love it simply love it

dang.. haven't been around here for a while. busybusybusy!

the thing rides like a dream. i've since put clips and a front brake on it, although i want to upgrade to a newer setup. can anyone recommend a cheap front brake + cable + lever?

edit: the pc job cost $125 for frame, forks and rack. couldn't be happier with the quality.

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0598_2.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn289/sideshowhr/DSC_0573_2.jpg

That looks mighty sweet... can you give us a side shot ?

There was a reason I liked that colour... I restored this 1972 Raleigh for my daughter this summer and she picked out the blue powder coat... it does look like candy.

And like you I could have went out and bought a bike instead of putting in the many hours it did to get the bike right but there aren't any other 8 year olds cruising around on a 1972 Fireball.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/daninewbikeframe.jpg

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/daninewbikeside.jpg

The only way to make a conversion cheaper than a new bike is to get way discounted parts, and your only option for way cheap parts is to get used parts.
Just my thoughts.

Just so you know, my conversion cost a grand total of $112, All you need for most bikes is a fixed gear rear wheel and a set of short stack chainring bolts. The inner ring on most road doubles is within a fraction of a millimeter of the standard 42mm chainline on track hub. All I had to do was remove the outer gear on my double, replace the long bolts with short ones, and remove all the derailers and shifters.

My chainline is perfect, and my wallet is only slightly dented.

Why do people always waste money on painting cheap conversions... I dont get it.

Why do people waste money on underwear? I don't get it.

Powder coat job = 1 or 2 month of car insurance. I say it's worth it to have a unique ride that looks bangin hot.

Why do people waste money on underwear? I don't get it.

Powder coat job = 1 or 2 month of car insurance. I say it's worth it to have a unique ride that looks bangin hot.

wut?

This bike is like taking an old pair of socks, bleaching them, cutting some leg holes and stitching on a waistband.

A new bike that has no class or style, made in China and common as h*ll.

My opinion here, but a fixed needs to be an honest to god track bike, or an older frame with some sort of heritage, and that includes a grocery getter from the 1970's, a Keirin racer, anything but a "Fixie" bike where the manufacturer had it built for pennies by slave labor specifically to roll some kid.

I just don't get the cool vibes from a Kona or a new Motobecane or any of these bikes. No class.

No flame on the Post, just needed a stepping stone to rant!

I like my classless, common '88 Trek 400 that I converted with a bunch of spare parts I had laying around my garage. I don't ride my bikes because they give off "cool vibes". I ride them because they get me from point A to point B and they're more fun than my car.

its not completely together yet and i dont have pics but my conversion is almost done. i spent about $450 on it. that includes tools (i had no bike specific tools when i started) paint and stuff like that. the only thing i used from the original bike was the frame. i had a blast doing it and i will post pics soon.

why is everyone riding the OP on money spent? he clearly stated he doesnt have a car and doesnt mind spending some cash on building up a semi-sentimental frame.

so what if he spends some cash powdercoating and building up a bike that he can probably keep for as long as he wants to?

rock on man!

That thing looks awesome. One of the great things about doing a conversion and buying good parts is if you ever get sick of it you can buy another frame and just swap your stuff. Powdercoating is the way to go on a bike frame. I rattle canned my conversion and it's super chipped from bike racks and general use.

excellent choice, sixtyfiver! it's great that you did that for your daughter. she'll appreciate it more knowing her dad fixed it up all nice for her eh? :). i'll try to get some more shots this weekend.

as far as comments on spending money on this bike go, take into consideration my company offers us metro card to ride any public transport for $1.25 from every paycheck. so i opted to take my newly inherited bicycle and rebuild it to my liking. way i see it, i've saved quite a bit of money from not paying for gas, paying insurance for my other bike (not pedal, 600cc :lol:), am getting in better shape every day, and get to read on the bus instead of sit in bumper to bumper asking god why must i be subject to such a thing as LA traffic :lol:. never intended to explain myself, but i thought i'd share the benefits (as if you guys didn't know :) ) i receive from dropping $200 on a bicycle such as mine :D

alright quick question, don't want to start a new thread:

i've got a couple things in my basket at milwaukee bike and haven't an idea if they'll work with my bike.:lol:

http://www.benscycle.net/bmz_cache/4/4f1cf5f56b59e54094782341a258318e.image.50x33.jpgDiaTech Dirty Harry - Right - 22.2mm (http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5708) (Sakae Road Champion bars... 25.4 clamp size.. ?)

http://www.benscycle.net/bmz_cache/3/3294ab1244d5d128954daa0d3849463a.image.33x40.jpgJagwire Brake Cable/ Black Housing (http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6253) (cheap, black.. check)

http://www.benscycle.net/bmz_cache/4/44cc593dfe12a321a4eeb32c7ed4aafd.image.32x40.jpgCampagnolo Veloce Caliper - Front (http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=6444)


looking to build a new brake setup on the cheap, so i ended up with that.

would this work on a 700c front wheel?

make sure the brake is a "long reach" brake

that's what i figured.. but what number constitutes 'long' for reach?

the one i posted says "Reach- 39mm-49mm". that long enough?

Why do people always waste money on painting cheap conversions... I dont get it.

A Le Tour isn't that bad of a bike, it isn't a Paramount Racer, but it is a ton better (almost literally) than an electro-forge.

74-78 = Imported from Japan, made by National/Panasonic.

79-80 = Lugged frame, made in Chicago. High-tensile.

After that production moved to Giant in Taiwan.