Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Building a single speed

One of the guys at work rides a SS as his commuter bike. He told me that if I came across any old lugged frames that they would make a great SS, as his is a Nishiki and works great. Today I was riding back to the office after being out working on a computer and rode by a house that had 2 bikes sitting out front, I could tell one was a beach cruiser and the other an older road bike, I caught a quick glimpse but no details. Since I was heading to do another job real quick, after getting back to the office I mentioned it to him and asked if he would go with me to check it out. We got over there and it was a Nishiki Century, lugged frame from around the mid 80s. Frame was in decent condition, some surface rust, but nothing crazy bad. I decided to buy the bike for $10 and turn it into a SS and have this bike at work for our lunch rides. I will get some pictures of the frame up and then post some pictures when it is completed.

Sounds like a good place to start.

Just don't grind off the derailleur hangar, cable stops or DT lugs, in case you ever want to make it a geared bike again.

You probab won't, but ya never know. Welcome in advance to the darkside. :D Gonna go fixed, or freehub SS, or a flipflop fixed/freehub?

Gonna go fixed, or freehub SS, or a flipflop fixed/freehub?

BGT, if I may offer my advice:

Get a fixed/fixed rear hub from IRO. They're Clyde strong (I've put almost 700 miles on mine this year) and with a fixed/fixed setup you have the option to run

1) 2x fixed cogs
2) 1 fixed, 1 freewheel
3) 2x freewheels

My only other suggestion is please, for the love of Merckx, please don't tarck it all out with neon Deep V's, a matching chain, and chopped risers with Oury grips. :twitchy:

BGT, if I may offer my advice:

Get a fixed/fixed rear hub from IRO. They're Clyde strong (I've put almost 700 miles on mine this year) and with a fixed/fixed setup you have the option to run

1) 2x fixed cogs
2) 1 fixed, 1 freewheel
3) 2x freewheels

My only other suggestion is please, for the love of Merckx, please don't tarck it all out with neon Deep V's, a matching chain, and chopped risers with Oury grips. :twitchy:


Good advice on the fixed/fixed hub. I still don't understand the point of the flip flop, the double fixed hub is more versatile.

Sweet, Have fun with it, My SS has been a lot of fun!

Sweet, Have fun with it, My SS has been a lot of fun!

same here, its great to have only one gear. although sometimes on the hills i run out of breath so quickly:( just to say i got a steel 36h hub for a fiver on ebay and built the back wheel myself with the help of sheldon browns wheel building guide. you might save yourself some money by doing that yourself.

lugged frame = horizontal dropouts? if so you are sorted and won't need any magic gear. that had my heart broken trying to find the right sprocket to fit the chainring. best of luck with it and be sure to ask if you got any questions. and post pics asap:)

don't forget to ahve a look at the serial number and see what this says

http://www.stevevance.net/nishiki/Serial_Number_Database