artiangler

I'm looking for info on converting my '75 grand touring into a fixed gear. Everything on it now is original - is anyone willing to discuss this project??

vpiuva

braingel

https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

dck

I built-up one of my Le Champions fixed. Not too tough a job.

vpiuva

Sheldon can tell you all you need to know. Your question: Is this to be a fixie on the cheap, or are you ready to go all out?

jjvw

Keep the old parts, don't chop anything off the frame, don't repaint anything and everyone will be happy.

Blue Order

Do you have pics of the GT?

+1 on the last post, btw...

artiangler

I'm not looking to cheap it out. However - I don't want to spend so much on it that it becomes a wall hanger - I'm going to ride it.

What kind paramaters are you talking about when you say "go all out"?

vpiuva

Go all out - buy a new wheelset, or at least a proper rear wheel so you don't have a suicide hub setup (converting your current wheel), and probably changing out your crankset. One - for the chainline which may (or may not) be an issue with your Stronglight, but you'd definitely have to use the inner ring position, and two: the availability of chainrings for that crankset is limited and may restrict your gearing choices. Which will bring up the next expense: the bottom bracket - french or swiss and yours will probably have too long a spindle length for your new crankset. You may be able to replace your spindle with a new shorter one, Sugino possibly; if not, you're looking at Phil ($$)

TimJ

I converted my schwinn into a fixed gear with suicide hub for very little money.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/timrose...7594546525758/

The wheels actually came off a Super Mirage. The crankset is original, I just flipped the bb spindle (original too) around because the drive side was longer than the nd side, so that brought the crank in a bit. I respaced the rear hub till it lined up with the front ring and then dished the wheel. The suicide hub works fine. I can skid on it no problem- it's not going to come loose. I just used blue locktite on it and the bb ring I used as a lockring:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/timrose...7594546525758/

I went this route because I was curious about fixed gear but wasn't sure if I'd like it and didn't want to spend much money. Turns out I love it, but I have no desire to get new wheels or anything because it works great as it is. But I would like to get a higher quality fixie some time in the future.

If you try to do it this way I would suggest you spend some $$ on axle spacers. Get enough in enough sizes to cover any amount you might need. I spent most of my money on spacers, I think. Without them it can be really hard to get the chainline correct. I rode mine with a quickrelease for a while but later bought a solid axle. I like the solid axle better because I don't have to think about it.

Altogether I bought the axle, locknuts, track cog, spacers, bb ring... and that's it as far as the conversion goes. Still that was maybe $50 or more.

Edit- Duh, the cog cost the most $$, but spacers are surprisingly costly. Get like 3 1mm, 2 2mm, 1 3mm, 1 4mm, something like that.

artiangler

Hey - thanks for the info.

artiangler

Thank you for the info.