Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - worst project ever.

Even though I recently bought a complete track bike from ebay, I've been itching to build up a fixie myself. I just love building and tinkering with things. Here is what I ended up with:

http://takecover.net/gallery/pdg

I wanted something different - and I think I achieved that. Whether is not this is actually a good project is whole 'nother issue...

The frame is designed for 650c wheels which is where a lot of the uniqueness comes from. I thought I would be able to fit 26" mtb wheels with skinny slicks on it, but I don't think that will work given the clearance on the fork (see pics). So far I've only found one "tough" 650c tire, Continental Gatorskin. Any other ideas?

A few other things... Seems like there are holes in the tob tube for internal cable routing (see pics). What should I do about these? Also, there are big ugly side cable mounts on the down tube (again see pics). Think I can safely file these off?

Any other comments on this thing?

I would think filing off both the shift bosses and the raised entrances for the internal cable routers would be fine...as far as the actual holes for the cable routers... I guess you could fill 'em in with some kind of compound, sand and smooth them over and then repaint the frame...I don't know too much about all that, but it seems like it could work. I think it'll be a cool project.

Ah, that's an old late 80's 650c Paramount. I'd advise to leave the braze ons as they are. If you want them removed, then you may as well pay a framebuilder who does that sort of thing to do it. 'Filing off' the shifter bosses especially could adversely effect the structural integrity of your frame.

If I had an old Paramount I'd build it up with gears (doh!) and parts matching its vintage and ride it that way. I wouldn't take a hacksaw or file to it, but that's just me.

I'd definatley recommend the MTB wheels with 1 inch slicks. It's what I run on the front of my Pinarello and 26 inche wheels are actually just a shade smaller than 650's. 1 inche slicks are about equat to 25's I think. The wheels are cheaper, the tires are cheaper and life is all good.
I'd also go with the suggestion not to file stuff off the frame, at least not right now. You've got a pretty cool bike there, build it up and see if you like how it rides. If it ends up not being your bag then you can turn around and sell the frame to someone like MKRG who can build up a really nice road bike from it. If you hack the frame then you've forever changed a pretty classic road bike. It you end up loving the ride and you want to keep the bike forever then certainly shave off the bosses and have a nice ride, but don't ruin it prematurely.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am gonna hold off on hacksawing it for now and see how I like it. It could be a fun bike. I'm leaning towards setting it up with MTB wheels w/ 1inch slicks and a new york style hacked off flat bar. Yeah I'm sure the original designers of the bike will be spinning their graves, but so what=]

Also if this does end up as a fixed, I'm gonna need a rear hub. By my calculations, the rear spacing is 130mm. Any recommendations for rear hubs? According to sheldon, my only options are the cheapy Suzue or a Phil.

My lbs has one of those 50th anniversary paramount frames hanging on the wall which has never been built up. I joked a few times about buying it from him, but if i did, any idea how much one of those would be worth?

Familyman said -

"1 inche slicks are about equat to 25's I think."

Now THAT'S funny.

Paul makes fixed/freewheel hubs in any width ( www.paulcomp.com )

Be prepared to have a little rocket ship on your hands when you get it built up. The Slingshot that I'm running as a fixed is super quick due to the 650c's. As lucklust would say, it perfect for "car sharking". If that's your dig.

It will no doubt be lots-o-fun.

Dave

Familyman said -

"1 inche slicks are about equat to 25's I think."

Now THAT'S funny.


Typing skills bad. I didn't even have the excuse of one of my kids climbing on me beating on the keyboard this time.