josh_truant

I bought a pretty spotless Ross Gran Tour off a local woman for (embarrassingly) $100. I was thinking about converting it to a single speed any way, as it was my first bike and I wanted to learn a little bit about working on it. When I got it, I realized how much I disliked stem shifters, and my mind was made up. About $90 in parts/tools later, it's now a 40/16 single-speed. There's still a LOT of work I could do on it, but I was wondering if you guys think a rust-free frame off of an 80's Gran Tour is worth building up? It fits me pretty nicely, but for the upgrades I'd want to do to it in the near future (new wheelset, new handlebars, new crankset, new brakes), I could probably get a second, better frame to build up as a more serious project. I guess the abridged question is, restore the Ross and build a modern single-speed, or keep working on updating the Ross?

tolfan

If you like the way it rides so far and it fits than keep going. It sound like yo have put out a bit of money. The tools are an investment not a 1 and done for the bike you will use them a lot now that you are hooked and thinking of your next bike. The new parts youare talking about also can be reused. If you like it do it.

roccobike

It depends on what you're going to buy. If it's a new wheel set, and you're going for 700C rims/wheels, I'd say go for it because you can transfer them to another bike. If it's an expensive crank, I'd say no, because it will probably be square taper and there's no guarentee your next bike will have a square taper BB. So if it's transferrable like a saddle, go for it. If it's specific to that type bike or a group of bikes, maybe you should hold off. BTW, you can always buy some used parts off CL or buy another parts bike at a yard sale and upgrade the Ross with those parts for cheap.

Little Darwin

My personal take is that I think any frame I like riding is worth whatever I put into it for my personnal use. It may never pay off for resale, but the parts are reusable for other projects later.

I disagree on one issue with roccobike. A square taper BB will transfer to a modern bike... or put a new BB on this bike... the $10-$15 BB is not an issue as to whether this bike should be upgraded or not.

I believe the Ross Gran Tour is high tensile steel, so nothing special, but unless you are looking to make a light weight racer, the weight isn't a big hindrance... and for whatever reason people into single speeds and fixies don't worry too much about weight, they are more into simplicity. Maybe because they don't have the gearing to be great at acceleration or climbing, so the extra ounces aren't a big deal anyway.

If you like the way the bike rides, then you can decide whether it is worth it to you.

Honestly, when it comes to "is this bike worth it for making a fixie/ss" is better asked in the SS/fixie forum... even though many here will gladly express our opinions, the focus hear tends to be on geared bikes (with a few that dabble in the straight chain lines).

If you are enjoying the ride of the Ross and you have some upgrades that you think will enhance that enjoyment, then my answer is... Yes it is worth it.

However, if you are feeling that the Ross isn't quite giving you the ride you are looking for, them bolting on upgrades won't do it, start looking for a different frame.

wrk101

As a financial decision, no, I would not put money into this Ross. I would start with something better. But as a personal use bike, if you like it, and it fits, why not. Just understand you likely will not be able to get your money back out of it.

But if you are doing it to ride yourself, getting your money out of it should be the least of your concerns.

krems81 

I build a lot of fixed gears and single speeds for kids in Chicago. In my experience folks don't worry about weight because these bikes get so light when you strip off all the parts. Even the high tensile steel bikes I've converted have been light enough for people to comment on their lightness.

The main expense of converting is the wheelset. Other than that, its really very cheap if you do it yourself. You just need a shorter bottom bracket, a 5 arm road double crankset to convert to a single ring, a cog, lockring, and chain.

You can probably get ahold of all that (new cartridge bearing wheelset included) for $150 or less. Let me know if you need to know where to look.

krems81 

Plus the only money thats "in" the Ross is the bottom bracket. The crankset and new wheels can easily be pulled off and put on something else any time...

Rollfast

Well, pilgrim, it seems to me if you saddled that horse then you are on your way to Abilene! Since you are holding up the chuckwagon there can't be time to kiss your girlfriend goodbye.

Move out, cowboy!

krems81 

just be sure to get cartridge bearing hubs, because fixed gear/ single speed wheelsets come with the most terrible ball bearing hubs at the economy level. Its worth the extra $30 for good formula or joytech sealed cartridge hubs.

Grand Bois

I recommend this wheelset from this seller:

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...&productId=193