-holiday76

So I'm trying to achieve a few things while I'm on vacation this week:

- clean out my garage/shop/bike barn a bit
- make some extra cash for my next vacation in a few weeks at the beach
- do something new

So I decided to take an old '73 Raleigh Grand Prix frame and single speed it. This bike has always been my experimental piece actually. It was my first vintage bike, purchased off of CL two years ago for too much money. But because of it I learned to wrench on bikes an have learned so much since. I've still got a lot to learn...
It even served as my painting experiment last winter when I stripped it down painted, traced the lugs and cleared it. It looks pretty good from 10 feet away

Anyhow, today's experiment was to build it into a single speed out of parts I had already, then see how much I can sell it for on CL. Based on the prices I see for fixed and single speeds on Philly CL I'm going to try to sell it for $300, but we'll see.

here's some specs:
aero rims - matrix I think? Dura ace hub in the front, sun in the rear
new continental's 700cx23
38x18 gearing
new single speed chain - i might need a few more links? It's in the dropout but I'm thinking it could be further in..
avocet saddle from another bike
cross levers
repacked headset bearings
sealed unit sugino bb
dia comp center pulls
i didnt have enough bar tape in one color, so it got both black and white

so here's my first attempt at a single speed:









I'll let ya know how the rest of the experiment goes...

ilikebikes

Get another link or two on that chain and you have one sexy SS! Great job!
EDIT: If your going to ask $300.00 you should also slap an alloy seat tube on there. (seat post )

Amani576

Curious... how'd you use that BB?
-Gene-

-holiday76

thanks!

you mean because of the proprietary Raleigh threading on Grand Prix's? I had it re-tapped to English about a year ago.

Amani576

Ah, ok.
-Gene-

Poguemahone

Nice! Let us know how it goes...

chevy42083

IMO, gearing is a little off.... but depending on intended speed, it may be fine. The ONLY reason I mention this is because of the chain. You may want to get enough links (or a new chain) that will enable a larger ring. i thought my 44x17 was on the easy side... and seems to be when compared to other riders' ratios.

It is a great looking bike though. I even like the 1/2 wrap... it matched the white sections of the frame.

-holiday76

i agree about the chain and I'm probably going to go pick up another tomorrow. As for the gearing, it does seem pretty easy, but with any type of hill it's not and we do have those around here. That's why I don't really get single speed...I like my gears.
I do have a really nice single speed crank with a 48t chainring I was thinking of trying.

High Fist Shin

If selling in the Philly market, it's likely going to appeal to Penn or Drexel students. Philly's pretty flat so a larger gear ratio will work well in the city. 48x18 or 50x18 in my opinion will be ideal.

Ronsonic 

Phase one of the experiment: Build A Cool Bike seems to have succeeded nicely.

USAZorro

Looks sweet. The gearing should be good for hills - better than fixed with that ratio would be (think of dislocating hips on a downhill ). I agree with Machin Shin about higher gearing if you're going to sell it in Philly. At least 42 on the front - although 48 sounds even better to me.

Exit.

Nice looking bike...now lose the freewheel.

-holiday76

OK, 48t 18 gearing now.

xB_Nutt

I vote for all black bar tape. Should sell nicely though. Only drawback is not having a fixed rear wheel. Single speed is not worth it in my opinion.

geekrunner

As a converter/flipper of many neglected bikes to SS/FG, that is one good-looking bike! I haven't been brave enough to try frame painting yet. My conversions have been all with the original frame and paint, warts and all. Aesthetically IMO the bike looks better with the 48/18, it looks more like a track bike. My first though when I saw it was "nice bike, but it's got mountain bike gearing!"

Your bike has the right looks for the SS/FG crowd, and you have succeeded so far! I'm sure if you list it correctly, with good pics, you'll find a budding hipster willing to part with $300.

geek

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

i'd ride it!

It would make a great commuter, just throw on a rack. Good call on the bigger chainring, and its refreshing to see a nice SS with both brakes.

-holiday76

I agree. I need gears. If you are going to have only one gear though, it may as well be fixed. I don't get single speed. Seems to have none of the benefits of either geared or fixed, but all the disadvantages. I'd of built it fixed had I had a fixed gear sitting around, which I don't.

Thanks! I just listed it at $250. We'll see what happens...

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

stick to your guns. List it at $300 and be willing to accept a lower offer. IMO i'd rather pay 250 for a bike listed at 300 than 250 firm. Makes me feel like I got a deal.

artimus

Nice build. $300 should be an easy sell.

High Fist Shin

You should sell that quickly.

TheDL

That would sell in Portland for sure! Good luck!

High Fist Shin

Hey, Holiday.

How's the chain line? Got a picture?

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Did you add one link or two? You might do well to lose 1 link there. the chain looks a little droopy, and the wheel appears to be all the way back in the dropouts.

mickey85

Really pretty bike. The colors kinda remind me of the new Masi Randonneur...

Antipodes

I must wholeheartedly disagree. I guess it depends on what you mean by advantages and disadvantages.
They require less "effort" than a fixie, have lower maintenance than a geared bike (no derailleurs to potentially bend, no slipping gears, no cabling etc.), are lighter, and have "clean lines" too.

Now, this is not intended to start another SS vs. geared war.
Just my two cents.