K.Roddy

https://ridewithdcs.com/parts-and-used-bikes/

The third bike on that site is a blue Roadmaster would anyone here have any objections? This is the bike I plan to do my first build on since it is already in riding condition and its a fairly priced. I stated in my introduction that I would like to make this as cheap a build as possible as I am currently unemployed. Is this the best route to go for a n00b?

Philasteve

I think the best route would be finding a old conversion on craigslist.

K.Roddy

Well I was originally browsing for "road bikes" on craigslist but I got redirected to that site from craigslist when I wanted to contact the seller. Idk, Inland Empire/Riverside and even San Diego doesn't have the greatest selection of used bikes for cheap $50-$100 for decent bikes. I may just not be searching for the right kind of bike. Which is exactly why I registered on this forum. Any and all help/info is greatly appreciated!

seau grateau

You need to read up on this. A lot.

Scrodzilla

+1

Start by reading this and this.

K.Roddy

Thanks for the links, I have a good idea of what to look for now before I make a purchase on CL. Just a few questions are left now: What kind of rear dropouts are desirable (horizontal/vertical)? I am about averaged sized 5'9", what size bike frame would be best and how do determine bike frame size?

Scrodzilla

If you're dead set on doing a conversion, you want horizontal dropouts.

Fit calculator:

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...LCULATOR_INTRO

IthaDan 

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/2982594251.html

I don't care how tall you are. Go get this bike. RUN.

Philasteve

I'd say your around a 53-54 cm bike. But use the fitment calculator.

K.Roddy

Sweet, thanks a lot man. I found a bike I will be picking up in a couple of days. Will post pics somewhere on here when I have it restored and converted.

K.Roddy

That's a pretty nice bike but i'd prefer something a little bit shorter and less expensive and found this: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/bik/2960082467.html

Still have to see it in person and probably give it a short ride before I leap onto the offer.

IthaDan 

You can flip that Bridgestone for $300 easily in the right market. Maybe even the c&v for sale of this very site.

IthaDan 

Dont buy this bike. Murray's are no better than huffys.

If you're that size,

Buy this bike- https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/2965649660.html
And offer the guy $100. Tell him he's got the prices of his Bridgestone and raleigh flipped.

K.Roddy

I will definitely try that. I also found these not too far as travel to SD frequently. Would you say Nishiki or Peugot is on par with Raleigh? Check this out.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/2984744809.html

As for the Bridgestone, honestly I wouldn't mind trying to flip a couple bikes here and there after I get some more experience in this style of bikes. For now, I would like to start with something cheap to start out and learn on but if you say Murray is like Huffy then I take your word. Huffys are junk and I don't want that. Thanks for your insight bro!

K.Roddy

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/2986150660.html

Heres a Shimano that seems reasonable. Instead of continually posting links. Could you or someone list some brands to avoid and on the other hand brands to gravitate towards? If there isn't already a thread on this topic. I know this all may be a preference thing but anything helps. I just want to start off on the right foot.

IthaDan 

I'm still unclear what you're looking for. Do you want an old frame to convert? Do you want an already converted bike? Are you even looking for ss/fg? What's your budget? Like your whole budget.

Jaytron

Man, SCROD beat me to a fit calculator.

Scrodzilla

And why are you hell-bent on converting an old road bike instead of buying a complete bike or building a bike from scratch using a track frame?

Jaytron:

K.Roddy

I'm tight on money and I got the impression that if I were to get an old decent condition road bike I would be able to convert it to a fixed gear on a tight budget.

Im trying to keep it to about $100 on this whole project. If I have to shell out an extra $20-$30 on top of the $100 for parts or what have you then so be it. Like I said I'm currently unemployed and really tight on funds. I would prefer an older bike still in riding condition that has not been converted yet. I No longer have a car and I need a bike if I am going to find a new job.

Philasteve

I think the conversion will cost you more than you think. Your just going to end up with a turd bike when you could buy a entry level complete that you can replace stuff as parts go bad and you'll end up with a nice bike to keep in the end. Not only do you need parts your going to need tools or to have them installed at a bike shop with the proper tools which will cost a lot more money rather than just buying something like this. https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/thehour.htm

Spoonrobot 

I like how you didn't buy that Bridgestone.

Any really cheap deal on craigslist for an old road bike is either going to be snapped up in a heartbeat or it's going to be super low-end. It's not the early 2000s anymore. Most people understand their stuff has value and the days of $20 NOS Varsitys and $50 Trek racers are pretty much over. You can still find sick deals on craigslist but you need to be on them within minutes of posting and then you still need to be lucky to get there before someone else. Watching craigslist has become employment for a lot of people and they don't mess around.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

K.Roddy

You think I should have hopped on that bike deal?

Spoonrobot 

No, not to be rude but it doesn't seem like you know enough to start flipping road bikes on craigslist. The fact that you opened the thread with a question about a Roadmaster bike with an Ashtabula crankset is indicative of this. Maybe see if there's a co-op or shop in your area where you can hang out and learn a little bit more?

Get measured, figure out what size you want to start looking at from the fit calculator and go from there.