Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Want to build my first -- where to start?

Now that I am hooked on fixed riding I want to try building my own bike (I ride a new Bianchi Pista, which is OK but would love to build up a cool '70s or '80s lugged frame). Where should I start? What frames would folks recommend? It doesn't have to be a track frame, in fact I would prefer a solid road frame to a track frame so I can put fenders on it (I ride rain or shine). What components should I spend the most money on? Which are least important? I am just starting, but I would like to have a full bike built by fall. I plan to sell the Pista as a complete bike, so other than the parts I have changed (pedals, brooks saddle, bullhorn bars) I am starting from scratch.

Now that I am hooked on fixed riding I want to try building my own bike (I ride a new Bianchi Pista, which is OK but would love to build up a cool '70s or '80s lugged frame). Where should I start? What frames would folks recommend? It doesn't have to be a track frame, in fact I would prefer a solid road frame to a track frame so I can put fenders on it (I ride rain or shine). What components should I spend the most money on? Which are least important? I am just starting, but I would like to have a full bike built by fall. I plan to sell the Pista as a complete bike, so other than the parts I have changed (pedals, brooks saddle, bullhorn bars) I am starting from scratch.

I'm building one at Plan B, and I'm using an old pre-raleigh Dunelt frame that I really like. The hard part so facr has been finding wheels in the shop that fit it, but I think I've got them now. Just need to true them and re-dish the rear wheel, which I've never done before so I'm sure THAT will be fun. :) There's an old Schwinn Paramount frame there too (without the cool chrome lugs) but it's too big for me. Drats!

:)

Vincent

I'm building one at Plan B, and I'm using an old pre-raleigh Dunelt frame that I really like. The hard part so facr has been finding wheels in the shop that fit it, but I think I've got them now. Just need to true them and re-dish the rear wheel, which I've never done before so I'm sure THAT will be fun. :) There's an old Schwinn Paramount frame there too (without the cool chrome lugs) but it's too big for me. Drats!

:)

Vincent

What size is the paramount? I would KILL for one! Ok, not kill. But I'd love to find one.

What size is the paramount? I would KILL for one! Ok, not kill. But I'd love to find one.

You know, I have no idea. I could measure it when I go there tomorrow. Then again, I'm not even sure what part I should measure. :) I just know that even when I put 26'' wheels on it, it was still about an inch or two too tall. :(

Vincent

You know, I have no idea. I could measure it when I go there tomorrow. Then again, I'm not even sure what part I should measure. :) I just know that even when I put 26'' wheels on it, it was still about an inch or two too tall. :(

Vincent

You measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. how tall are you? i am looking for a 53/54 cm frame, and i am 5'6". if you are taller than me then it doesn't matter, it'llbe too big.

Now that I am hooked on fixed riding I want to try building my own bike (I ride a new Bianchi Pista, which is OK but would love to build up a cool '70s or '80s lugged frame). Where should I start? What frames would folks recommend? It doesn't have to be a track frame, in fact I would prefer a solid road frame to a track frame so I can put fenders on it (I ride rain or shine). What components should I spend the most money on? Which are least important? I am just starting, but I would like to have a full bike built by fall. I plan to sell the Pista as a complete bike, so other than the parts I have changed (pedals, brooks saddle, bullhorn bars) I am starting from scratch.

check out dennis bean-larson's site for build ideas: http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

You measure from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube. how tall are you? i am looking for a 53/54 cm frame, and i am 5'6". if you are taller than me then it doesn't matter, it'llbe too big.

I'm 5'10" so I'm guessing it's too big. I'll measure if it's still there. (I'm actually coming up to New York in August...) I'm guessing they'll sell it for $15-20. Not sure though.

Speaking of New York, does anyone know of a bike recycle program in New York that may have some used parts for inexpensive?

VIncent

Hey NYCpistarider...I've got a 54-ish cm Celeste-coloured Bianchi frame (early to mid-80s) that might be the right size you're looking for. I'm 5'6" too but I ride a 49cm frame...what gives with the larger sizing for you? I prolly have shorter legs than you. Weird. Anyhoo, PM for more details on the Bianchi.

Now that I am hooked on fixed riding I want to try building my own bike (I ride a new Bianchi Pista, which is OK but would love to build up a cool '70s or '80s lugged frame). Where should I start? What frames would folks recommend? It doesn't have to be a track frame, in fact I would prefer a solid road frame to a track frame so I can put fenders on it (I ride rain or shine). What components should I spend the most money on? Which are least important? I am just starting, but I would like to have a full bike built by fall. I plan to sell the Pista as a complete bike, so other than the parts I have changed (pedals, brooks saddle, bullhorn bars) I am starting from scratch.

The manufacturer of the frame isn't as important as the frame material and geometry. Look for Reynolds 531, Columbus SP or SL, Ishiwata 019 or 022, maybe Tange 900, #1 or #2. You =could= get something with hi-ten steel and still have it ridable as a fixed, but it won't likely cost much less than a better frame and it would weigh a lot more. The old Trek frames from the 70s have no braze-ons for cables or water bottles so they have those clean lines fixed riders like so much. (Water bottles can be mounted with bands around the tubes. The bands are still available from places like loosescrews.com.) They also have enough spacing for fenders and they have fender mounts on the dropouts.

Another thing to consider is whether or not you want to have to scrounge for French parts. There are some really nice old French bikes from the likes of Peugeot, Gitane, Motobecane et. al. but they used different threadings and sizes for many parts so locating replacements can be iffy.