genman

I have a carbon fiber Giant CFR One (circa 1997). I bought it used as a road race training bicycle, and love the low weight and nice ride. I've also ridden it to death. Since the drivetrain is shot and the rear wheel (rim) is warn out, I am considering two options.

I'm either going to sell the frame and get a decent steel track bike. Or, what I would prefer would be to building a new rear wheel, get a chain and chainring (since both are shot). With an ENO hub (for the vertical dropouts) and wheelbuild, it probably will cost about 300-$400 for the conversion.

The application of the bicycle is mostly for fun and local in-city bicycling. Since I have a nice expensive bike on order, I'd like to keep using my old for short rides and not worry about it getting jacked.

Opinions?

el twe

Sure, I don't see why not.

operator

Even if you do the conversion. Your bike will be nowhere near beater-ish simply because of the CF frame. Well unless you're rich, in that case you wouldn't care.

mihlbach

The only reservation I would have about a CF fixie, is that unlike metal, CF is only strong in certain directions. A cf road frame was not designed for backpedaling, repeated pounding from skipping, or whatever additional stresses are exerted on the frame when trackstanding, or other fixie related activies that a normal freewheel bike might not normally be subjected to. A cf track frame might be built with these things in mind, but not necessarily a road frame. I have no experience with cf frames beyond what I've read, but considering that cf fails more catastrophically than metal, its something to at least be informed about. I could be way off base....maybe someone with more experience can chime in.

Hocam

Yeah but if someone hits him an busts the frame he can be all "that was a CF frame!!!!11one it's like eleventy millllion dollars!!!!"

Go for it.

genericbikedude

get fenders and a sealed hub. carbon don't rust but sunlight does eat it, so it'd be a perfect rain bike. get a steel track bike with sharp geometry also.

get_nuts

If the bike fits you well, go for it. The money you'll save can buy nicer parts since you'll already have the frame.

Those ENO hubs are niiiiice. I have a set on my geared road bike.

bonechilling

No track frames were designed with skipping and skidding in
mind, either.

The biggest problem that I see is that these carbon fiber bikes
aren't exactly lock-and-leave. Maybe this isn't a problem for
you, but I imagine most fixed gear riders aren't the types who
only take their bikes out for a weekend ride or whatever.

jet sanchEz

https://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/stevens.htm

octico

I say if it's not broken don't fix it

doofo

and in this case if it is broken dont ride it

i say fix it if you have the money

you will have fun

genman

Thanks for the info. As I said, the drive train is bad. The front derailer and corresponding front shifter no longer function. The chain rings and cassette is worn out. It shifts badly in the rear. It needs a new chain. Etc.

I liked the "Fixed Gear Gallery" link. My frame is red but almost same in style and came with Shimano 600 not 105. I love those Spinergy wheels, so badass. Having two break levers for one break is an interesting idea too.

wearyourtruth

how do you have an ENO hub on a geared bike?

to the OP... go for it. lots of people here will praise steel frames... but if you like the one you got, ride it.

el twe

White Industries makes other hubs, but they aren't called the ENO.

Aeroplane

As far as a frame is concerned, it doesn't care if you are pushing on the front pedal or the back pedal, the right chainstay will be in compression, and the downtube and seattube will confer most of the stiffness. I don't think there is any stress that you put on a frame from skidding, trackstanding, etc. that is more than what a tour rider puts on one doing an hors categorie climb. And those climbing bikes are light.

Do it. Take a picture. That thing is going to be a beast.

genericbikedude

that looks noice

dutret

So are the riders and they keep their cadence up pretty high. Bigger rider and lower cadence will put more stress on the frame even if it's just up short hills and standing starts.