Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I want to build a fixie

Hey so, i checked out the stickies, but i couldn't find a link that had a step by step procedure to convert the casset, or whatever it is that you do. I would greately appreciate any help or a link to such a thing. Keep in mind that I have not yet purchased a bike to convert. Does it matter, and what is the estimated accumulated price? I just want this to have some fun with and ride around campus so it will probably be about a 15 or 20 year old steel frame, i'm not planning on racing or anything like that. Thanks.

You can buy cheap fixies for around $350 from bikedirect.com and you dont have to convert anything

start here (http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html)

start here (http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html)

Amen to that. Read the entire page a few times, and then come back with your questions!

Don't do it, you'll totally regret it.

Don't do it, you'll totally regret it.

Jerk.

I want to **** Mila Kunis.

How do I start? I want to do the vajayjay, or whatever. What is estimated cost? Is there step-by-step instructions available online? I just want to have some fun, and ride around campus.

Jerk.
:lol:

http://s.bebo.com/app-image/9581034250/5411656627/PROFILE/i.quizzaz.com/img/q/u/09/04/21/james_10.jpg

You'll never run out of images, but two can play at that game:

http://www.nordestfm.ro/images/Image/ADAM%20DURITZ.jpg

http://switchtomac.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ohnoyoudidnt.jpg
..

So many people want to convert an old road frame when it costs more than a new road frame. It would make sense if that person had a particular frame in mind due to ride characteristics or even a cool color or something but I do not think that is the case. I have an old road bike: it is flexy as hell and weighs a ton. On top of that, it has road dropouts and tons of chipped paint with surface rust. Sure it is sort of a classic lugged look but it is pretty unpleasant to ride compared to a modern road bike.

Would you strip down a 30 year old cheepo car to the chassis and build it back up with completely new parts? Same applies here. If it has some sort of history, do it. If it doesn't, don't do it.


Sorry guys, I had to vent.

So many people want to convert an old road frame when it costs more than a new road frame. It would make sense if that person had a particular frame in mind due to ride characteristics or even a cool color or something but I do not think that is the case. I have an old road bike: it is flexy as hell and weighs a ton. On top of that, it has road dropouts and tons of chipped paint with surface rust. Sure it is sort of a classic lugged look but it is pretty unpleasant to ride compared to a modern road bike.

Would you strip down a 30 year old cheepo car to the chassis and build it back up with completely new parts? Same applies here.

But you're operating under the assumption that all old road bikes are like yours: "flexy as hell" with "tons of chipped paint and surface rust." But not all are, and the blanket comparison of older road frames to a "30 year old cheepo cars" is laughable.

Not all old frames are crap, not all new frames are the hottness. It really depends on the material and the maker, but I'm willing to bet that an "old" lugged, steel road bike will usually be sturdier and last longer than most of the sorry-welded 4130 frames going right now.

Rant all you want. In 20 years old frames from the 70's and 80's will be in much higher demand than anything you'll buy off of BikesDirect today.

http://switchtomac.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/ohnoyoudidnt.jpg
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You win.

But you're operating under the assumption that all old road bikes are like yours: "flexy as hell" with "tons of chipped paint and surface rust." But not all are, and the blanket comparison of older road frames to a "30 year old cheepo cars" is laughable.

Not all old frames are crap, not all new frames are the hottness. It really depends on the material and the maker, but I'm willing to bet that an "old" lugged, steel road bike will usually be sturdier and last longer than most of the sorry-welded 4130 frames going right now.

Rant all you want. In 20 years old frames from the 70's and 80's will be in much higher demand than anything you'll buy off of BikesDirect today.

It seems like we are both making assumptions. Let us start with my assumptions first: $100 frames from the 70s that you can get off craigslist are largely the same as the frame I am describing. Japanese lugged straight gauge chromoly from the 70s-80s. They are probably made by hand and will last another 20+ years with little to no care. Great, they will last a long time.
Now your assumptions: The owner will still find enjoyment with this frame outfitted with another $100-200 worth of components in another 20 years on the "old" bike. The $300 "new" bike will have cracks at the welding points and will under perform when put up against a bike 30-40 years its senior.

Now, we are unable to see into the future but I do not think that in year 2030 we will see too many bikes from the 1970s and 1980s. I understand that the 70s and 80s saw a boom in high quality Japanese bike exports but I doubt that these durable bikes, if used routinely, will still be sought after to build a SS/FG when compared to a purpose built bike that is lighter and much more efficient.

The most important question hadn't been asked yet: "Why does the OP want to build himself a fixed gear bike?"

If his real objective is just to acquire a bike to ride around campus, he may be better served to just buy a budget bike.

Some people, however, get pleasure from the tinkering process. For those, buying a complete bike, that requires little or no tinkering, would be no fun at all.

Some people, however, get pleasure from the tinkering process. For those, buying a complete bike, that requires little or no tinkering, would be no fun at all.

Indeed. I spent $16k to build a Toyota Landcruiser that I sold for $3,800 before leaving the country. I find tinkering with bicycles to be much less painful on the wallet.

I'm surprised we don't have a stickie that says "Read SheldonBrown.com before posting a question here".

I'm surprised we don't have a stickie that says "Read SheldonBrown.com before posting a question here".

this

True to form, the OP has disappeared after one post.

Don't bother. It will cost you a lot to convert an old bike. I got a 50-dollar bike that is probably a 600-dollar bike righ now, and that doesn't count the wheels I have on eBay right now. I've replaced everything except the stem, headset, cranks, rims, and front hub. I sometimes wish I'd have dumped that money into a kilo.