Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Would this be weird?

I found a good deal on a complete carbon road bike. I plan to strip the components to put it on TI frame. I'm left with a carbon road frame and I want to convert it to a lightweight single speed. Would it be too difficult or weird? The frame is new and I don't plan to do tricks, just want to use as a quick commuter around town.

Why not use your TI frame for commuting?

It wasn't weird until you asked if it was weird.

Why not use your TI frame for commuting?

I wouldnt want my more expensive one to get stolen. :rolleyes:

For a commuter I think that it would be much safer, easier, more efficient, etc to sell the carbon frame and buy a complete steel. If you are using the bike as a commuter locking up carbon can be sketchy, so can potholes, curbs, as well as a multitude of other things that are not really an issue with steel frames. IMO on a commuter the maybe two pounds that the carbon frame will save is not nearly worth all of the possible downsides. Again, nothing wrong with it, just seems that there are many better options

I was expecting a kissing cousin thread.

Thanks for the let down.

For a commuter I think that it would be much safer, easier, more efficient, etc to sell the carbon frame and buy a complete steel. If you are using the bike as a commuter locking up carbon can be sketchy, so can potholes, curbs, as well as a multitude of other things that are not really an issue with steel frames. IMO on a commuter the maybe two pounds that the carbon frame will save is not nearly worth all of the possible downsides. Again, nothing wrong with it, just seems that there are many better options

Thanks, I probably shouldn't say commuter. It'll probably be like a bike for fun and stuff, going out to get something to eat, stuff of that nature. The roads around here are decently paved, little to no potholes, just those occasional manholes.

You know, for sh!ts and giggles baby!

6. (http://weird.urbanup.com/897262) weird

First off noone can really say something is weird because one's own personal definition of weird could be totally different from someone elses. Someone who is called "weird" by their peers in one place might be called a conformist somewhere else so really the terms "weird" and "normal" are nothing more then words to describe someone or something different from themselves.
1. Prep: " OMG that girl is such a weird goth. maybe if she dressed normal she would actually get a boyfriend whos not selling drugs.
2. Goth: "Holy s**t that b***h is so f****n weird. wat a conformist!! i wanna f****n kill her!!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=weird#

Carbon fiber isn't the fragile material that everyone is making it out to be. Curbs, potholes, and locking up should be fine. They wouldn't have carbon fiber mountain bikes if it were fragile.

This thread made me read bustedcarbon.com.

What I want to know is: Are you more likely to do it if it is considered weird or if it isn't?

You'll probably want an ENO eccentric rear hub for the rear wheel to get proper chain tension.

http://www.bikeman.com/store/graphics/00000001/Alt-imageB/altB/WIND-HUENOB.jpg

http://www.bikeman.com/WIND-HUENO32135.html?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=GoogleBase&utm_campaign=GoogleBase


Personally, I'd sell the carbon frame and buy a decent steel bike like a Bianchi San Jose or Masi Speciale and put the rest of the money towards beer.

What brand/model frame do you have?

Go for a steel bike:
Less worry about theft
Less worry about fragility
Steel is real

To answer the post... yeah... I think its weird in a "its a bad idea" sort of way.

I guess it depends a little on how you count them but, by my count, there are 5 votes for weird and 3 for not weird.

So now what are you going to do?

ksharp,

I for one hear ya'. Nothing weird about what you are doing at all. That said, I'm going to jump on the bandwagon and say sell that carbon frame off and get something commuter tasty like a Steamroller. I've seen the older model (the one that is bean colored) for a bit over 5 bones.

If you want to use your carbon frame I'd suggest stopping by your lbs with your frame. Let them suggest the best hubs/wheelset for you, help you with gearing for your area/your strength and then the rest of the bike is yours. Do as you please and above all enjoy those steeds.

@Retro: I'd probably still do it as I would still have an extra frame laying around. I only ask if its weird because tyhe styling deviates from most SS bikes that I've seen on BF and on the road.

@bbattle: Its a Motobecane Le Champion CF. The one on bikesdirect with the SRAM Rival groupset.

While we're on the subject of wheels/hubs, I have a nice wheelset in mind but it's built for a road bike. How much effort would it be to covert it to use on a SS?

For a SS conversion you'd just need a spacer/cog kit for the freehub and a chain tensioner, both of which Surly makes. I think it will run you less than 50 bucks or so.

I had an old carbon road bike (1994 Trek 2200), that I was considering converting to a fixed gear. Once I priced out all the necessary parts, work etc, it seemed to almost cost as much as a cheap new track bike. I put the Trek on craigslist, got $350 for it, and ordered a Kilo TT Stripper. I must say that the Kilo is an excellent value for the money.