Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed gear Mountain Bike project

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juniorhornlicks
09-18-09, 02:42 PM
All,

I have a crazy desire to make a fixed gear mountain bike as the ultimate urban winter commuter bike. I have a chance to buy a Raleigh M50 for $50 that's in good shape (not sure of the year) but I can't tell if the rear dropouts are horizontal enough for a proper fixed gear conversion. It looks to be similar to this dropout from Sheldon Brown's page on fixed gear conversions. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/dropf-short.gif

Can anyone make a recommendation based on the above info? It's been pretty hard to find a mtb bike with horizontal dropouts. I'm familiar with the ENO hubs, but am trying to make this project cost as little as possible to I can save up for my new tri bike.

Thanks! :)

jgedwa
09-18-09, 07:11 PM
If it has dropouts like the one you pictured, then it will be a piece of cake. Really, all you need is about a 1/2" of horizontal movement to get what you want.

BTW, I happen to think that older MTB's (with horizontal drops) make a fantastic, tough, and cheap fixed gear bike platform. They make killer urban/utility/winter bikes especially. I would not trade my fixed Rockhopper for anything.

jim
Punished
09-18-09, 10:02 PM
My first fixed conversion was with an old MTB. Had that same style drop outs, thing was a beast. Took some getting used to, trying to skid was a bit-o-fun though.

Dion Rides
09-18-09, 11:14 PM
When it comes to tires, I recommend Kenda KRads for such a machine.
jgedwa
09-18-09, 11:17 PM
I am pretty partial to Schwalbe Big Apples on such a beast. If you are going to go tough, go real tough.

jim
Ken Cox
09-18-09, 11:25 PM
I have a fixed Surly Karate Monkey I ride in winter.

I call it the Ice Bike.

Summer, when in the mood, I ride it with Schwalbe Big Apple tires, and during the winter, with ice and snow, I ride it with Nokian 294's.

The Karate Monkey has horizontal dropouts:

http://www.surlybikes.com/karatemonkey.html
azukisingle
09-19-09, 04:06 AM
thats awesome mang , i wanna see what you come up with . Keep us posted on your fixed scorcher .
jpmartineau
09-19-09, 08:42 AM
I did something similar to this with my old Spec Rockhopper. Dropouts are the same.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=432410&p=6994427
juniorhornlicks
09-19-09, 02:09 PM
Thanks for the advice, everyone!
jgedwa
09-19-09, 04:17 PM
Black bike below is a Rockhopper that I use as a utility/errand bike. Orangey bike is a GT Outpost that is a dedicated snow bike with studded tires.

jim