gman26

I have a frame I would like to convert to horizontal dropouts, for conversion to single speed.
Can anyone offer suggestions on how to do this? Is the spacing for a single speed/fixed gear the same as road bikes with derailleurs? This frame has 128mm spacing.

Thanks.

Nessism

Spacing is not the same and get "conversion dropouts", the stay angles are different from regular SS dropouts.

calikid2006

I would advise against doing this. You probably have semi-horizontals on there right now, which sit below the chainstay. If you put regular track drops on there they will sit about level with the chainstay, which lowers the bottom bracket drop, which is the opposite of what you want to on a track bike. If your riding that fixed your pedals will hit around turns.

Also if you will have to do some coldsetting, and pulling out old drops can be pretty hard, and you will probably break the stays right off at that heat.

I really wouldn't do this, just use what you have.

unterhausen

You're not turning into an elitist on us, are you?

calikid2006

do you not agree??

Weasel9

Henry James (among others) make a "track conversion" horizontal dropout designed for exactly your application. It's at the bottom of this page: https://www.henryjames.com/productlug.html You just braze out the old ones and braze on those.

Unfortunately, those lugs aren't going to change the geometry, or handling of your bike, so be sure it's somewhat close to a track frame to begin with.

Might be more trouble than it's worth.

unterhausen

the last person to ask this question also wanted to tighten up the rear triangle and replace the fork. I'm not sure why anyone would really bother with the dropouts since it has horizontal dropouts anyway.

Weasel9

Sounds like an excellent way to critically weaken the bike. There are plenty of actual track frames out there to be found...

gman26

Definitely sounds like more trouble than it is worth. I am opting out of this idea.

Me, an elitist? Certainly not in the realm of bicycles. Automotive, however, that's another story.

charles vail

I plan to do this as well. I have an old lugged steel Raleigh Wyoming frame with funky vertical dropout alignment problems and I plan to make this frame into a poor mans Rivendell Quickbeam for deraileurless use. I may use the Henry James dropouts or make my own. The spacing for a fixed gear or single speed is normally 120mm but you can use a longer axle and make it a 126 130 135 or whatever. The old school freewheel hubs allow you to move the bearing races and adjust alignment for your freewheel. I did this on some old Suzue hubs on my Raleigh Technium seen at www.cyclofiend.com under the single speed section. I re-dished the rear wheel by turning the spoke nipples two turns looser on the drive side and two turns tighter on the non drive side. It was easy to do and it results in a stronger symmetrical wheel.
You can also use a new high strength, high quality, chrome moly axle (under $15) and cut it to length if you need one due to higher rider weight. You will have to monkey with bottom bracket axle lengths but I used a 68x107mm Tange square taper BB and it allowed perfect alignment with the rear wheel. My spacing is 126mm which is probably what yours was originally. You could use a 130mm or a 126mm axle. The stays are steel so they can spring in or out a little.