Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Hey!! Got a GOOD question for ya!!

I noticed that the Trek Navigator 400 is a internal Nexus hub based bicycle. I've seen that this frame is infact has HORIZONTAL rear drop outs in the back. Does this mean this thing is good to go on a single speed/fixie conversion?

what size wheels? Aren't most bikes that have internal hubs also have pretty lax geometry? It might be a good cruising bike, probably pretty easy but not too fast...

what size wheels? Aren't most bikes that have internal hubs also have pretty lax geometry? It might be a good cruising bike, probably pretty easy but not too fast...

26"ers. You are right, the Nav 400 is configured as one of their 'luxury comfort' bikes. But I think that has more to do with the seat post and front suspension fork (and 1.95 tires) than anything. I was just thinking that once the suspension stuff is gone (as well as the hub) this will be a pretty light bike.

I personally like 80's Japanese lugged frames, fast, light, with horizontal dropouts. Plus if you look around you can get one WAY cheaper, and I think the quality is better. Unless anyone can correct me, it is my understanding that during that time period, the Japanese were making some of the highest quality bicycles in the world, to rival those in Italy. I would have doubts that a 2004 trek would be the best frame to adapt to SS/FG usage, the dropouts are only one element you would have to look into....

Or if you want to get really tricked out, you could weld new track dropouts onto whichever frame you please. If there is a good frame builder in your area, they would probably do the work for a fairly resonable amount of money.

One last caveat, if you are looking into the MB style bicycle, I would spend the 250 more and go for the Bianchi SASS or Kona Unit, both of which are more stylish than the trek.

Just my opinion though...

One last caveat, if you are looking into the MB style bicycle, I would spend the 250 more and go for the Bianchi SASS or Kona Unit, both of which are more stylish than the trek.

Just my opinion though...

You know - before I started putting down hard cash I was doing some serious research on single speeds out there. What I found is that every one of them under a thousand bucks has major issues.

The Kona Unit for example - and honestly I couldn't tell you good components from bad components - just what some 'experts' have told me - is that Kona has a reputation for selling their name first and their bike second. Which means - from what I understand - the Kona Unit is over priced for the components that are on it.

Now the Bianchi SASS... I ALMOST put money down on this bike. I test rode a smaller version and loved it to bits. However, I have heard that Bianchi has some serious quality control problems and a good portion of their 2003 SISS went out with problems to the frame construction resulting in a bunch of frame failures. Not only this, I've talked to at least 3 SISS owners who had major teeth pulling issues in getting their frames back. Some took 3-6 months to get their SISS frames back. As a consumer, this makes me nervous. I dont recall the exact articles either but this bike also has some bad parts on it - I think some cheap BMX parts somewhere... Also worried about the chrome coming of in chips...

Well what about a surly 1x1?
http://www.surlybikes.com/1X1.html
That is if you are dead set about getting a SS mountain bike, I myself prefer road style fixed gear, due to the fact we don't have too many off roading opportunities out here in the flat land of Minnesota...
I have to admit my knowledge of such bicycles isn't really all that great.

Well what about a surly 1x1?
http://www.surlybikes.com/1X1.html
That is if you are dead set about getting a SS mountain bike, I myself prefer road style fixed gear, due to the fact we don't have too many off roading opportunities out here in the flat land of Minnesota...
I have to admit my knowledge of such bicycles isn't really all that great.

I'm not particularly dead set - I just thought it would be very convienant (and unique) that possibly Trek had a frame (albeit a boring one) to use for a single speed conversion. I think I gave up on the single speed idea a while back and just thought about it this evening. I am also interested in a fixed gear but have a lot to research before one is put together. I think somehow deep inside a little kid is crying out for his single speed bmx that he loved so much. The fixed gear I think for me is (again deep down inside) nothing but pure laziness.

When it comes to bicycles - give me a bike that requires the least amount of maintenance possible. A bike with the least amount of things to go wrong... I think a bike like this could be built but won't. LBS probably won't want to carry it because people will never come in to get things fixed.

It's a conspiracy I tell you!

Yeah I know of a couple of shops around here that try and sell people on fixie/SS just to make sure they won't have to come in every couple of days to get their gearing adjusted. You would think shops would like people getting those fancy geared bikes that go out of whack all the time, I mean if you charge 10$ a pop to do the adjustment that money adds up...

I would recomend trying FG,

Once you get fixed, you never go back.....

For the suggested retail of $799, the Kona Unit (http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_unit.cfm) is spec-ed out nicely, no rip off going on there.

You can make any bike an SS without a tensioner with a White Industries ENO eccentric hub. Your choices are unlimited.

For the suggested retail of $799, the Kona Unit (http://www.konaworld.com/2k4bikes/2k4_unit.cfm) is spec-ed out nicely, no rip off going on there.

You can make any bike an SS without a tensioner with a White Industries ENO eccentric hub. Your choices are unlimited.

Really?? I've never heard of that before... So I can take a Trek 4900 (just pulling any bike out of my ass) and use this hub to turn it into a single speed??

You know - before I started putting down hard cash I was doing some serious research on single speeds out there. What I found is that every one of them under a thousand bucks has major issues.

The Kona Unit for example - and honestly I couldn't tell you good components from bad components - just what some 'experts' have told me - is that Kona has a reputation for selling their name first and their bike second. Which means - from what I understand - the Kona Unit is over priced for the components that are on it.


Wow... opposite of everything I have ever heard. My LBS sells them, Kona was my first bike and I can attest they are spec'd very highly for the price. Their frames quality is outstanding.

Lobo
If you want a bike that is simple and cheap you should build it your self. That way you will know your bike inside out and won't need to rely on a shop to tweak little things that add up quick. I agree with goat about 80's Japanese lugged frames, I have a 80's araya road frame. I picked her up at my local LBS for 30 bucks. Put the whole bike together for under 200 bucks (I did have a fair amount of parts in the garage).

go with the surly 1x1...I bought one in 99, rode it as a SS till a while ago, then I fixed it and it's even more fun. seriously...surlys are bomb proof, reasonably priced and they look good....and they're a rad company.

also, Konas are not junk...my ex girlfriend has one from a few years back and it's stood up nicely...all the parts on it were pretty decent for the price range.

Really?? I've never heard of that before... So I can take a Trek 4900 (just pulling any bike out of my ass) and use this hub to turn it into a single speed??

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/singlespeed.html#wheels

There is a wheel built up with that hub they were talking about, I don't know too much about it, but I hear good things...

I'll look at those japanese frames.. How difficult to find?

The thing that bothered me about the Surly 1x1 is the disc tabs. fugly!

The japanese frames are EASY to find, especially because most people don't realize their value. I have no doubt you could get yourself into a SS bike of this style for under 200, most of mine I have gotten road worthy for under 100...

Look for Miyata, Fuji, Azuki, Kuwahara, (some) Nishiki, nagasawa, 3rensho etc. Although the last 2 will run you quite a bit of change, feel free to fill in the gaps on my good 80's japanese bicycle frame list anyone, my mind is drawing a blank right now...

One thing I always look for is what steel the frame is made of, I personally like Tange... Steer clear of bikes whose frames aren't butted, but most japanese mid/high quality frames of this time were at least double butted? I have at least one which was triple butted...

Besides ebay are their any other online resources for finding/purchasing these frames?

Check local thrift stores. Good steel frame bikes often show up. Many can be had for a song. I got a mid 80's Trek for $2.07, and a nice Nishiki for $30.00 neither needed any major work to be ridable, and both could be turned into SS, but ive kept them in their multi-speed configuration.

Really?? I've never heard of that before... So I can take a Trek 4900 (just pulling any bike out of my ass) and use this hub to turn it into a single speed??Any bike with vert drops can be made a single speed/fixed with this hub. It is, by far, one of the coolest inventions to come out for bikes in a long time. More info here (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html#white).

I have a bike setup with one, and it is a fine, fine hub. I also have a Surly 1x1 which I love to death. Either option is money well spent. If you want to go 700c and don't like the disc tabs on the 1x1, a Surly Crosscheck makes a fine fixed gear - I've got one and love it. Their Steamroller frame makes a nice fixed gear too (no, I don't have one of those! ;) )

you might look at the van dessel straightup, ss, coaster brake.

Any bike with vert drops can be made a single speed/fixed with this hub. It is, by far, one of the coolest inventions to come out for bikes in a long time. More info here (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html#white).

I have a bike setup with one, and it is a fine, fine hub. I also have a Surly 1x1 which I love to death. Either option is money well spent. If you want to go 700c and don't like the disc tabs on the 1x1, a Surly Crosscheck makes a fine fixed gear - I've got one and love it. Their Steamroller frame makes a nice fixed gear too (no, I don't have one of those! ;) )

Thanks for pointing out this amazing piece of technology! Wow! If you are really not into building up a bike this can really open some doors. Especially if you can find a bike shop who will credit you for derailers and what not that you don't want.

you might look at the van dessel straightup, ss, coaster brake.

Oh wow! That is a COOL bike! Never heard of Van Dessel before. That bike looks REAL clean with no cables!! And it still has some braking capability!