Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Brainstorming a Townie/Porteur Bike

So i am wanting to build a Townie/Porteur/Professor Bike and want to you all of you to help me gather some good ideas and pictures. i am thinking upright seating position, hammered fenders, single-speed w a coaster brake, cork grips, brooks...etc etc.

What are your ideas? any input is appreciated. Also frames to start with to do this? Thanks in advance. i knew i could count on you. this is an idea shamelessly stolen attached.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=286515

I've been trying to find a frame for a similar build. i'd like lugged, but I don't want to use a conversion frame, I'd like something new. I can't find a new lugged frame with rack and fender mounts anywhere outside of custom stuff.

Hunter Green frame, Honey brooks w/ copper rails, Chrome hammered fenders, Shellacked cork grips, Bell, Box rims w/ gumwall tires, hand brakes not coaster, front Rando Rack Chromed, Rear saddle bag. sounds good to me. Or Go w/ a different color frame and go with the green and copper brooks... MMMMM sounds yummy

^that is exactly what I wanted to do, in green, using an SE Premium Brew frame, and I was going to do the head tube and a seat post band in creme along with gold lug lining. Unfortunately, there is not nearly enough room for the tires I would want, as well as lack of rack and fender mounts

The $68 million dollar question is what fixie frame can accommodate 28c or bigger tires with fenders other than the Jury ???????

http://kogswell.com/

http://kogswell.com/horked/vaughn1.jpg

http://kogswell.com/horked/bigLOAD.jpg

Far from being a fixie/SS wonder with gear shift braze-ons on downtube (and host of others). You can compare this to any touring/cyclo-cross/road frame out there.

I've been trying to find a frame for a similar build. i'd like lugged, but I don't want to use a conversion frame, I'd like something new. I can't find a new lugged frame with rack and fender mounts anywhere outside of custom stuff.

lugged single-speed frames are typically intended for use as track bikes and therefore will not have the mounts you're looking for. custom stuff is most likely your only option if you don't go with a conversion.

http://steelwoolbicycles.ca/bikes/tweed.html

Some damn good townie inspirado in this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=413660&highlight=

If I were making a townie, I would probably go for a 3 or 5 speed, especially if it were going to have no good options for cheating the wind.

If this could only take 28c-32c with fenders (tight fit). For me this would be perfect bike.
http://velospace.org/files/blk1.JPG

I've been trying to find a frame for a similar build. i'd like lugged, but I don't want to use a conversion frame, I'd like something new. I can't find a new lugged frame with rack and fender mounts anywhere outside of custom stuff.

To each his own, but if this is what you want, why wouldn't you go used? Many of the bike boom touring models completely match these specs for a fraction of what this sort of thing costs now, and there are plenty to be had in essentially pristine condition.

I've seen someone's kilo tt with hemp wrapped around the drops as grips. That would look nice if you would like drops.

1980s Peugeot ten speeds are excellent conversion candidates. They will take 650b wheels, tires, fenders, chainguards and front and rear racks and lighting. They are to be had for a reasonable price off eBay. Can't go wrong with 'em!

lugged single-speed frames are typically intended for use as track bikes and therefore will not have the mounts you're looking for. custom stuff is most likely your only option if you don't go with a conversion.

I would say your right, but every time I find a bike that is of a worthy quality for me to convert, I end up feeling guilty and leaving it geared. Thats why I said forget it and started looking for looking for a new frame, but its looking like I may not have a choice but to do a conversion for this project.

Get an 80's touring bike, add a technomic stem and you have yourself the base of a townie. That's what I did. They have the tire clearance you crave, a nice stable ride due to the long wheelbase, and most of them have long horizontal dropouts. A good many don't even have much in the way of braze-ons.

I have a kogswell P/R and it's totally great. If you're tall enough and not into 650bs, there is a 59cm 700c version. It definitely rides way unlike any other bike I've ridden, and i've comfortably fit 30lb loads into the front rack.

1980s Peugeot ten speeds are excellent conversion candidates. They will take 650b wheels, tires, fenders, chainguards and front and rear racks and lighting. They are to be had for a reasonable price off eBay. Can't go wrong with 'em!

Just to note: this is terrible advice.

aside from the french threading, why?

80s Peugeots have various bb threadings. French and Swiss are a pain (and potentially very expensive) if the cups are shot. But they did switch to British in the 80s. Regardless, really fantastic Peugeots (great frames and components) often go for low prices, so I don't think it's bad advice if you know the potential pitfalls.

all of this is really good information. i wish i could afford the kogswell. Those bikes are beautiful. I do have an old lugged touring frame that is set up as a beater right now but with a new fork and headset could turn out quite nicely. i will have to look into that.

I see a lot of center pull brakes on these bikes. If i am getting a new front fork. what type of braze-on's do i need in order to utilize this. i will do a search but am getting some good ideas from people.

That black bike with the white tires (path racer-ish) is stunning

You'll need one of these:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8149/gallerynk0.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9130/ghghhgfhfgaj3.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6301/gfdgffdg3ns.jpg

I see a lot of center pull brakes on these bikes. If i am getting a new front fork. what type of braze-on's do i need in order to utilize this. i will do a search but am getting some good ideas from people.


most center pulls you will come across mount like a normal side pull brake

You'll need one of these:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8149/gallerynk0.jpg

I have one of those - quite comfortable for a cheap seat from India.

I have started a parts list to start searching for buying and am getting more and more excited about it.

quick question can i use the same eyelet for fenders and racks or should there be two separate mounting points?

You can use one just mount the rack on the inside.

aside from the french threading, why?

That's like saying, 'aside from that they're heavy and offer a poor braking surface, what's wrong with steel rims?'

Any Raleigh, Schwinn, Panasonic, Univega, Fuji, Miyata, Nishiki, Centurion, Trek, Specialized, etc., etc. from the 80s is a better conversion candidate. To suggest that anyone should seek out an 80s Peugeot is horrible misinformation.

I never considered French threading to be THAT big of an inconvenience, and I sort of like the quirkiness of it, though I would never suggest if for anyone who doesn't know what they are getting into.

With eBay or Phil, French threading is not a problem.

Word on the street is Velo-Orange is coming out with their own (which means it will probably very nice and very affordable) French threaded bottom brackets in March-ish.

Yes, you guys are totally right.

If you hate the low price and convenience of being able to purchase a Shimano cartridge bottom bracket anywhere, and have no desire to use any crank besides a square taper, by all means convert all the Peugeots you want, and please tell all your friends to do the same.

all of this is really good information. i wish i could afford the kogswell.

Actually - Kogswell is having a sale now - 650b framesets are $339. Doesn't contain the usual extras but the price is right....

> We're critically low on Kogswell alloy fenders.
> But Chris just got a shipment of 650B Zeppelin
> fenders at Velo Orange.
>
> So...for a limited time you can purchase a 650B
> frame/fork/seatclamp/headbadge set for $339.
>
> You find your own headset, seatpost and
> fenders. You save a BUNDLE.
>
> Shipping is extra.
>
> Don't delay. This offer won't last.
>
> The order desk is open: 952-288-6165
>
> Matthew

Also, I have a slightly used tange french threaded bottom bracket if anyone's looking for one. PM me if so - I don't need it anymore and it needs a good home.

I've been trying to find a frame for a similar build. i'd like lugged, but I don't want to use a conversion frame, I'd like something new. I can't find a new lugged frame with rack and fender mounts anywhere outside of custom stuff.

There are tons of road bike frames that match what you're looking for. I suspect you're looking at track frames thus the lack of rack/fender mounts etc. Why use a track frame for a road bike? Especially if you want to use fenders?

Chris

Because I want to do a build with all new parts without spending a ton. Find me a modern road frame with long horizontal drops, lugs, and a bunch of brazeons that isn't a pricey custom and we'll have a winner.

I have one of those - quite comfortable for a cheap seat from India.

I've got one of those too. Comfortable, yes. Quality stuff, no. I think it's comfortable only because the leather sags so much.

I went ahead and butchered mine up.

wife's bike:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/steppinthefunk/Grass_Side.jpg

my bike:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/steppinthefunk/Raleigh_1.jpg

Step, Where did you find that front rack that mounts on the centerpull? I've been looking since I first saw one on you build.

Step, Where did you find that front rack that mounts on the centerpull? I've been looking since I first saw one on you build.

I got mine from my local classic bike shop for $15.00

There are two of them on ebay right now. One of them has what looks like a light mount. very nice:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&dfsp=1&satitle=ta+rack&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=23462&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D2

I've got one of those too. Comfortable, yes. Quality stuff, no. I think it's comfortable only because the leather sags so much.

I went ahead and butchered mine up.

wife's bike:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/steppinthefunk/Grass_Side.jpg

my bike:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/steppinthefunk/Raleigh_1.jpg

oh my, that is beautiful.

i want my bike to grow up to be like your bike.

i mean, i'd have to get a different bike though. lol.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/fuzz2050/Funeral/CIMG0284.jpg?t=1232861803
Relax, it has fenders and a chain guard on order from Velo-Orange. A bike that pretty can't be sullied with SKS, it needs fluted aluminum.

my bike:
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg128/steppinthefunk/Raleigh_1.jpg

Wow that is beautiful! I'd only do a few things different but that is a great build! exactly the kind of build I wanted mine to resemble but with a modern twist to it. Can't wait to do up one one like this someday though!

I got mine from my local classic bike shop for $15.00

There are two of them on ebay right now. One of them has what looks like a light mount. very nice:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&catref=C6&dfsp=1&satitle=ta+rack&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=23462&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1%26fsoo%3D2

Thanks. Now I know what to search for.

http://kogswell.com/

http://kogswell.com/horked/bigLOAD.jpg

What brand of handlebars is that guy using on the beige bike? I can't afford the bike but I want the bars.

Chris

http://www.jitensha.com/eng/flatbar05.html

that bar's pretty nice.

That looks similar to the scorcher on that Cyckel I just ordered, flipped.

http://www.jitensha.com/eng/flatbar05.html
Thanks!

My base for a townie would be a Schwinn Racer.
Whaddya think?