Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Frame for my first fixie

I just won an auction for a frame for my first fixie. It is a mid 80s Fuji steel frame that cost me $20 and is local so I can just pick it up. Here it is if you are intersted.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7119003808&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT#ebayphotohosting

I have mid 80s vintage Cannondale that I can swap some parts over from but I am going to need a rear wheel (unless I figure out how to redish one I have). I may try to rebuild a Mavic MA40 wheel I have with a new hub as a learning experience.

I am looking forward to the build over the next month or so. I am going to use it primarily to beat around with my kids and probably some winter training rides so I won't be putting a lot of money into it.

Nice frame for $20! Have fun building it up! I'm near completion of my first SS/Fixie project and I'm really enjoying it.

I just built my first fixie up. It's great! I bought a new rear wheel rather than dealing with redishing. The old wheel was pretty heavy anyways.

That will be a great ride when you get done. Nice price too. Have you ridden SS/Fixie before? Have you picked out your gearing yet?

That will be a great ride when you get done. Nice price too. Have you ridden SS/Fixie before? Have you picked out your gearing yet?

I haven't ridden a SS/Fixie yet or picked out my gearing. I have a 42-52 crank around that I am thinking of reusing so I am thinking 42 on the front. I would like to put a little wider tire on it than my road bike as I plan to use it more for sloppy weather/casual rides.

Any recommendations for gearing would be appreciated.

I think 42 is a good choice to start. I tried a 46 when I built my S/S, with an 18-tooth freewheel. Just to steep for my ability, so I switched to a 42 up front and that is what I run today. Perfect for my cadence!

42:17 is pretty typical for starting out.

If you want to go with gear inches, something in the 65" to 72" usually suits a beginner well. Since it sounds like you're a conditioned cyclist, you might aim for the upper end of that range or maybe a little higher.

Thanks for the feedback. Any thoughts on buying a 36 hole hub and relacing an existing Mavic MA40 rim I have. The spokes in it are 20 years old and kept snapping before I got a new ride but the rim seems good. I have a matching front that is fine.

I had my eye on that frame too - I have one just like it, but in blue (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/michtom.htm) (but a little bigger) that has served me well, and I contemplated building it a twin, but, you know, there's that whole issue of not needing another bike or having the money to build one. Oh well. Anyway, I hope it serves you well. Ride it in good health, and if you see me on your bike's blue cousin (I'm in Somerville), give me a shout.

...Any thoughts on buying a 36 hole hub and relacing an existing Mavic MA40 rim I have.

Check the sides of the rim for brake wear; if they are concave from use, you should probably search out another rim because that one's days are numbered. Good luck!

I had my eye on that frame too - I have one just like it, but in blue (http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/michtom.htm) (but a little bigger) that has served me well, and I contemplated building it a twin, but, you know, there's that whole issue of not needing another bike or having the money to build one. Oh well. Anyway, I hope it serves you well. Ride it in good health, and if you see me on your bike's blue cousin (I'm in Somerville), give me a shout.

What width tires are you running on your bike. I want to put something a little wider than the 23s I am running on my road bike. I was thinking almost a cross type tire for sloppy weather and some easy trail riding.