Is this worth $45????
 

I'm looking to get a starter bike and possibly turn it into a fixed gear....Is this a good choice???

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joel_w...45.jpg&.src=ph

No. Dropouts.

Probably so. Just from watching eBay lately, that seems to be a good deal. But is it your size? Does it feel good when riding? Those questions are more important than value.

kabuki's are great! that would make a great single speed or fixed gear project.

you're right. i didn't see the second picture...

Looks decent enough... may be on the heavy side though. If you get it just promise to keep the stem mounted shifters on to freak out the squares.

That will make it hard to convert. I'm not saying you can't do it. Overall, the bike looks good for $45.

I have about 3 of those in my basement I couldn't even give away.

You can use an ENO eccentric hubbed rear, or find a gear combo that works with the bike.

really? what size?

Those dropouts look like they still have some angle/length to them, probably doable especially if you don't mind using a half-link in your chain. You could do better though, even for cheap.

They look like they could be semi-horizontal to me too.

those look to be vertical drops. So unless you want to get something like the ENO hub (or a chain tensioner like the Singulator), you might have some trouble getting your chain tight.

$45 is a good deal still (depending on how much shipping is)...The bike looks like its in good shape..

It really depends on HOW MUCH modification you plan on doing...Personally I would go with either a road bike with horizontal dropouts, or a track frame.

Zoom in and check it out, those ain't no vertical drops, jokers. The bolt is obscuring the bottom of the horizontal drop. I'd bet my grandmother on it.

I'm with Ryan C on this one. And I, too, will wager his grandmother.

ok your grandmother is safe :) After I zoomed in it does look like there is some room to play in the drops although not much...probably enough that with a half link you could get the chain tight though if needed.

if not just ask a welder to braze on track dropouts (it'll cost another $30 -$40 probably)

or just get a bike that works.. that things a piece.o.s...

Why would you say that? It looks like a pretty damn good bike for 45 bucks to me.

Honestly I would have to agree with Sloppy Robot. My preference is to either buy an out of the box, entry level track bike or build one up with a proper track frame.

Really there are three schools of thought I've noticed...

The surgeons: Those who like taking Road Bikes and chopping / swapping and replacing. Usually because they "typically" use economical parts and existing parts on the bike they can do a track conversion for cheaper than buying a traditional track bike.

The Contractors: They buy Track Frames and build them up part by part to suit their taste and their budget. This is usually the most expensive route, but the contractor always gets the bike exactly the way they wanted.

The Consumers: They buy completed track bikes. There are several low end track bikes that people can start and build upon. This is a good choice for those who want the track specific frame and perhaps want to try it out, and can upgrade as you go on.

There also are plenty of expensive track bikes as well, that high track nuts can by "out of the box"

So depending on whether you just want to TRY fixed....or whether you already know fixed and just want one of your own...will determine which route you take...

Personally I like the personalization of building up the bike from the ground up. Even after years, I still try and find things I can update and upgrade.

don't do it, man. there are so many other nice old
lightweight road bikes you can convert on the cheap.
from a former surgeon and aspiring contractor- take my advice.

cause..unless kabuki has some "primo" line.. my whole life they have been pumping out p.o.s.bikes.. a new huffy is still a huffy..and liek gh-ap said.. theres other bikes to put your energies in that are way better

This is something that I've been thinking about for my winter project this year. Like gh-ap mentions, there ARE so many old/nice road bikes...

Honestly, you could probably pick up a beautiful lugged frame fand fork for $20 at a used shop or garage sale even...if it looks like crap because of an old worn out paint job.

So my quest this summer is to find one..get it blasted, and powder coated...

So look around and don't worry about how crappy the finish on the bike is, because for $50 bucks or so you can get it stripped and re-painted...

i could be wrong but weren't kabuki's made by bridgestone? i have heard of there being some pretty nice kabuki models out there but i never really looked into them too much.

Umm. Kabuki = Bridgestone(not Grant Petersen era mind you) which isn't all that bad. I don't think Bridgestone was ever notorious for pumping out "Huffys" as you put it. I'd love to hear any information about this bike that you have that lead you to that comparison.

Again, if all of the parts on this bike are in good shape(which it looks like they are) 45 bucks is a good deal.