Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixed Gear Conversion and Progress Pictures

I am converting a 1988 schwinn world sport to a fixed gear. I am going to get a new wheel set, handlebars, seat, pedals, brakes (if necessary), and possibly the crankset. The schwinn has a sugino crankset, but it is stripped and was difficult to remove. The parts I was planning on purchasing are listed below. Please let me know if I am missing something drastic or if there is something bad about what I am looking at. I’d like to keep this updated with pictures of my progress as well. Thanks

Crankset: - Existing Sugino
- Origin8 trackstar or squaretop
- SRAM Powerspline S300

Wheels: - Origin8 Track Attack
- VUELTA ZEROLITE PRO TRACK 700c

Pedals: - Match crankset choice

Paint: - Duplicolor Orange
- Duplicolor adhesive promoter
- Duplicolor Primer
- Duplicolor Clear Matte Finish

Handlebars: - Origin8 Bullhorn black

Does all this make sense?! Thanks so much

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_photo-5.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=photo-5.jpg)

Do you need to replace the headset? Still need tires, tubes, a cog and lockring, bar tape. Don't forget about the little stuff when building a bike, they really add up.

I'd go with some wheels from velomine (http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=87_172&zenid=2mpeoauk28frl7pt9fk9o4slr1) before I'd get some Origin8 or Vuelta stuff, you can get a Formula to Deep V wheelset for as cheap as $139 and it's a better wheelset than Vuelta for sure, and probably Origin 8.

Your pedals should have nothing to do with your crankset choice.

Go with the S300 Courier cranks (http://www.retro-gression.com/product/sram-s300-courier-crankset-w-gxp-bb) over the "Powerspline S300"(which are not real cranks, Amazon's listing is incorrect, they're S100). They come with the bottom bracket, are easier to install, are probably better all around, and aren't much more expensive after you add a bottom bracket to the Powerspline crank.

Go with the S300 Courier cranks (http://www.retro-gression.com/product/sram-s300-courier-crankset-w-gxp-bb) over the "Powerspline S300"(which are not real cranks, Amazon's listing is incorrect, they're S100). They come with the bottom bracket, are easier to install, are probably better all around, and aren't much more expensive after you add a bottom bracket to the Powerspline crank.

I was looking at spending much less on cranks. is this a bad idea? like $50 range

Unless you find an amazing deal on a decent set online somewhere, like ebay/CL, its a terrible idea.

would it be best to try and reuse the sugino cranks?

I was looking at spending much less on cranks. is this a bad idea? like $50 range

Pretty much all the cranks around that price range are about the same [meh] quality. Since you're basically building this from the ground up, you ought to(probably need) plan for a new bottom bracket to go with your new crankset. If you spend $50-$60 on cranks, and then another $10-$30 on a bottom bracket, you might as well just have gone for the better crankset that comes with a bottom bracket for $115.

By all means, go ahead and get the real cheap crankset. I just never see the point in going through all the effort of building a bike but using sub-par components.

edit: What exactly is wrong with the stock Sugino crankset?

If they're stripped, then now. You should use something that is in good condition. For about the money you're going to put in to a conversion project, you could just buy yourself a complete.

I think i will go for the more expensive crankset.

I plan to paint the bike light blue (baby blue) and orange. Any tips on matching components?

Don't match components. It never looks good.

Give the frame a baller paint job, make sure your parts are either all silver or all black and everything will be cool.

Trying to figure out how you strip a crank...

Trying to figure out how you strip a crank...

guads

Trying to figure out how you strip a crank...

I could do it with my bare hands.

get Thomson cranks

I'd go with some wheels from velomine (http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=87_172&zenid=2mpeoauk28frl7pt9fk9o4slr1) before I'd get some Origin8 or Vuelta stuff, you can get a Formula to Deep V wheelset for as cheap as $139 and it's a better wheelset than Vuelta for sure, and probably Origin 8.


Go with the S300 Courier cranks (http://www.retro-gression.com/product/sram-s300-courier-crankset-w-gxp-bb) over the "Powerspline S300"(which are not real cranks, Amazon's listing is incorrect, they're S100). They come with the bottom bracket, are easier to install, are probably better all around, and aren't much more expensive after you add a bottom bracket to the Powerspline crank.
Origin8 hubs are rebranded Formula's and their track rims are DP18's from what I have read. Assuming he gets a them for a good price, they are essentially the same as a DP18/Formula wheelset off Velomine.

S100's can be purchsed off Ebay for around 60 bucks including a BB. But the BB is heavy, I'd opt for the S300 simply for the lighter BB. If in a couple of years the SRAM BB takes a dump, you can buy GXP BB from Chris King and Phil.

I will probably go with the S300. Good looking, seem reliable and have read good things, including comments on here. Also i saw this wheelset for sale.. worth looking into? Eighthinch-julian-v2-wheelset for $110

http://www.retro-gression.com/product/eighthinch-julian-v2-wheelset

They're pretty heavy, but will be bombproof.

i have time so i'll continue looking. dont want to jump into something just because it is on sale. thanks!

i should also mention that this bike is intended for city commuting use. live in philly and it will be my means of getting from home to work and around the neighborhood. not sure if that changes anything...

Do you have a preference on depth? Cause I think a classic looking box section would look sweet. something like:
http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_178&products_id=462
http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_176&products_id=531
http://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87_172_299&products_id=1765

i'm not entirely sure yet. something sturdy but sleek i suppose? i am new at this sorry!

I was also thinking black. Going with black for crankset, wheels, seat and pedals. Then orange for frame. Light blue for forks, some of the frame and the bar tape. I'm sure most come in all colors and its trivial but just throwing it out there.

I like what you're doing to your Schwinn and can't wait to see it, here's my daily Schwinn.
http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu6/sbs_z31/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0708.jpg

I like what you're doing to your Schwinn and can't wait to see it, here's my daily Schwinn.


did you paint those rims green or order them that way? i am hoping for something similar except blue will be orange and green will be light blue. not sure if i am going to paint the forks orange or light blue

this is what i am going for... ideally of course!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_bike.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=bike.jpg)

No.

No.

not a fan?

It would look so much better with all silver or black components, but hey, it's your bike. You have to look at it and ride it.
See examples A & B:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/gravity/images/swift2_org_500.jpg
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/images/clk_org_gallery/images/2clockwork3q.jpg

Being in a city I wouldn't want anything that "flashy". I have an orange Moto Messenger that I got before moved to Toronto, and now being here I'd prefer something more subdued. Just a thought from the theft perpective, I know there are some really dumpy areas in Philly.

did you paint those rims green or order them that way? i am hoping for something similar except blue will be orange and green will be light blue. not sure if i am going to paint the forks orange or light blue

I bought the wheelset like that, your color scheme seems cool and very different.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_bike2.png (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=bike2.png)

any better? i think i'll go with black wheels regardless. good thought with the theft comment.

I bought the wheelset like that, your color scheme seems cool and very different.

what kind of wheels are they? does anyone know of light blue wheels in case i do go that route?

what kind of wheels are they? does anyone know of light blue wheels in case i do go that route?

They are velocity deep v's.

i'll check them out although i am thinking black wheels for mine.

also, if i were to paint designs on the frame with blue, would you paint the frame orange first or paint the blue first?

It's like the GT40's

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/GT40_at_Goodwood.jpg/800px-GT40_at_Goodwood.jpg

.... Just burns my eyes a whole lot more.

you guys are harsh! its going to be matte so it wont be shiny and obnoxious.. just slightly obnoxious

so i was planning on sanding the paint off instead of using remover. is this a bad idea? has anyone done this?

it'll take longer.

In regards to the "flashy things get stolen" idea...

I've seen a lot of "BIKE STOLEN: HELP" type posts around my city on CraigsList, local bike blogs, etc. And there doesn't seem to be a theme of whats targeted. It appears as though there are just as many $150 beater mountain bikes stolen as high-end roadies . Now - there are a lot of ways to read into that...

-Even though i've seen a lot , its a small sample size - even for my city as a whole.
-Perhaps the guys riding the "beaters" are less vigilant about locking/protecting their bikes and that inflates the amount of that type stolen.

Just food for thought : if you go with a "loud" color scheme, not only is it going to stick out more on a bike rack, its going to appeal to a younger crowd. Both of which will improve your chances of it getting stolen, in my opinion.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_bike2.png (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=bike2.png)

any better? i think i'll go with black wheels regardless. good thought with the theft comment.

this is a big improvement over #1 IMO

Lose the blue fork. Make the whole thing orange and write "Eddy Merckx" on it.

http://i628.photobucket.com/albums/uu6/sbs_z31/Mobile%20Uploads/IMAG0708.jpg




http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_bike.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=bike.jpg)


http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_bike2.png (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=bike2.png)



no. just no.

alright well the paint job is basically decided. going to go all orange, with a little blue on the frame, then blue bar tape. i lock up my bike properly and never leave it outside overnight. now for the bike, i have a couple questions:

-i am going with bullhorn handlebars. i was thinking the origin8 handlebars. anything wrong with these?
- for these handlebars, what is a good brake system? i was looking at the sram 700 lever. i would only need front brakes so how can i buy just one lever and caliper?
- how do flip flop hubs work? do they come with the wheel or do i replace the existing hub? or is it the type of cog i use?

sorry still dont fully understand everything so i am trying to learn.

anyone??

I'd go with fixation Rodeo bars over Origin 8, but not for any particular reason other than hating the Origin 8 logo and company.

You probably won't be able to fit the Sram 700 lever around the bend of the bullhorn. You'd be better with some cross levers(like these (http://www.retro-gression.com/product/tektro-rl720-721-cross-levers)) or bar end levers(like these (http://www.amazon.com/Cane-Creek-Trial-Levers-Black/dp/B000ZTNXCS)).

Most fixed gear/track wheels come with "flip flop" hubs. As long as at least one side is threaded for a track lockring(and the other is threaded for a freewheel), then you'll be able to put a freewheel on either side. Just read up and look at some pictures of flip flop or track hubs.

You'd be better with some cross levers(like these (http://www.retro-gression.com/product/tektro-rl720-721-cross-levers))

i think i'll go with these. i like them. i'll look around at other ones and is there any way to buy just one?

i have heard a lot of bad things about origin8. fyxation is better?

still researching pedals, cogs, wheels if anyone has any opinions or comments

also, some progress pictures attached...almost completely sanded

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_photo1.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=photo1.jpg)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_photo3.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=photo3.jpg)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/th_photo2.jpg (http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd129/aaddeo/?action=view&current=photo2.jpg)

They're available individually here (http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=List&SubCategory=Parts:%20Brake%20Levers) sometimes, but not now.

so my crankset is 48T, looks like 3/32" chain. is this a good cog to go with? will i need spacers? its 13T

http://www.amazon.com/EIGHTHINCH-TRACK-FIXED-TOOTH-FIXIE/dp/B0071C0B8Q/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1349194994&sr=8-4&keywords=fixie+cog+3%2F32

You don't need a 13t cog. Holy ****.

Read the stickied thread on gear inches.

Yeah... Definitely not 13T. Try 17-20.

i looked at that a while back and didnt understand. didnt understand it. now i do. sorry about that, should have done better research.

with 27" wheels and my crank, a 18T would get me 72. should i also look into a 20T for winter riding?