Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Design/Functionaity ideas for new bike?

I got this "Raleigh USA Dash Plus CX" from Craigslist for $75. It has Shimano 100GS components. Rides pretty good, the shifting is incredibly smooth, and it brakes very well.

Anyone have any ideas on improving it's appearance? I think fixed gear always has the best style so I'd love your opinions. I removed all the reflectors and lights (will add an electric light later) and so far the only ideas have been:

1. straight bars (if they're comfortable, never tried them)
2. removing decals (if they're not clear coated on)
3. replacing the plastic pedals with caged or just platforms
4. removing the quick release from the seat and front tire
5. replacing the seat with a more narrow design
6. replacing the tires with a narrower set
7. painting the wheels all black (if i can figure that one out)

Any additional ideas on the paint scheme, or anything to add or take away to make it look and or perform better would be much appreciated.

Oh, and the bike will be used basically for exercise and getting to the store that's about 1 mile from me, ha.



http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/8862/raleigh1xj4.jpg (http://img387.imageshack.us/my.php?image=raleigh1xj4.jpg)
http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/raleigh1xj4.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img387/raleigh1xj4.jpg/1/)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L-6ugLM3ARw

Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.

Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.

For all the $ you can pour into that you might could get a fg/ss new.
To get some 700c wheels on your old bike will be $120 alone
Triple cranks replaced $60-?
also that drop-out looks awfully vertical.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm
they will have a crappy cog but, they are already a fg/ss.

edit: that is if you want a fg?

I think those are 700s... it's a hybrid, no?

if anything, drop the big and granny ring and just use the middle one. shorten your chain and you'll get better shifting performance out of your 1x6 or 7 than you did with the triple.

buy new brake pads. take a scotch-brite to the rims to remove old crud and pad material.

get some sks fenders to keep yourself dry.

ride it.

That bike is not worth any effort.

That bike is not worth any effort.


Why? (i don't mean that in a hostile way, i really don't know anything about these bikes)


To the guy that asked about the wheels - they are indeed 700c. 700x30mm I think.

To the guy that asked about ss/fg - I do not want this to be a fixed or single speed, I just posted this in the ss/fg forum cause you guys have the best looking bikes IMHO, so I figured you'd have some good insight on making it look better.

100gs rings are riveted.

don't paint the wheels, it'll look janky. Just upgrade later if you like the bike.

Man I knew my bike would get flamed here. Why did I bother? Oh well, $75 isn't too bad for a beater that gets me into cycling. Thanks for the tips guys. Much appreciated.

Why? (i don't mean that in a hostile way, i really don't know anything about these bikes)


To the guy that asked about the wheels - they are indeed 700c. 700x30mm I think.

To the guy that asked about ss/fg - I do not want this to be a fixed or single speed, I just posted this in the ss/fg forum cause you guys have the best looking bikes IMHO, so I figured you'd have some good insight on making it look better.

lose the derailleur and half your chain ;)

How would I shift without the derailleur? What will a smaller chain do? better bottom end?

I'm not flaming.

That frame is good for cheap touring/ cyclocross/ commuting. For $400ish, you could have a real kick-ass ride with decent wheels, 80s road cranks, dropbars, V-brakes, bar-end shifters.

I have a Univega of that vintage I did up real nice for my gf.

get some white skull grips from danscomp.
http://www.danscomp.com/images/products/367046_White.gif

that little univega looks slick-OP follow that example

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=L-6ugLM3ARw

Dylan, you son of a b*tch! What's the matter, the CIA got you pushing too many pencils? Learn to shift. Don't ride big/ big combo.

Those kind of frames can make a decent cyclocross/ touring-ish conversion. 100GS sucks. But if it works, leave it.

you listen to GRAF ORLOCK?

you listen to GRAF ORLOCK?

Had to google that. I would check them out live.

I just like Predator and my name is also Dylan when I'm not being a viking.