J-Shooter

It seems strange after biking for several years, I have never thought about looking for an on-line bike forum before today.

I have been Mountain Biking for several years, and I may not be winning races every week, but I am having a great time doing it. The only problem is it is a huge pain to do. By the time I am done, my whole day is gone. I love biking all day long, I just don't have the time to do it. I have been wanting to get into road bikes, but I never have.

So I was riding around today, and that old dream of re-building a old fixed-gear road bike popped into my head. Only this time, it stayed there. By the time I got home, my head was buzzing with thoughts about old road-bikes. I went on-line and found this place.

So here is my situation: I want to convert or re-build an old steel framed road-bike. I want the bike to either have a fixed gear, or be able to converted to one. I want a front brake for saftey. It is not a big consideration, but I want it to be light weight. Here is the thing though, It needs to be really in-expensive. I really don't have the money to spend on a new bike, as I am saving for other things.

I really know nothing about old-road bikes. If anyone has any advise, ideas, or links for a beginner, I would really appreciate them.

BRANDUNE

Dear Friend,

On behalf of the 240 chapters and colonies, and over 250,000 initiates, we welcome you to the BFSSFG. We sincerely hope that you will take the time to review the materials on this site, to see for yourself how the tremendous opportunities which accompany membership in Bike Forums can help you to reach your goals. From leadership training, to alumni-career networking opportunities, life-long friendships and noteworthy service events, BFSSFG has become one of the premier organizations on today's internets.

Make no mistake about it, however, that membership in BFSSFG is fun, and any of our members will certainly tell you that you will have the time of your life on teh webz as a BFSSFG'r. However, equally as important as having fun on teh webz, is the attainment of a quality education, the accomplishment of receiving a degree, and perhaps most importantly, the ability to experience the wealth of learning opportunities that exist outside the real world. It is these experiences which help us all grow into better, more responsible, and more civically-minded individuals. Through our dynamic brotherhood, our unique programs, and our time-honored history, BFSSFG serves to help its members achieve their college and lifetime goals.

Keep in mind that BFSSFG is hands-on, as we are interested in recruiting men who will participate… in chapter meetings, in our community service events, in our leadership programs, or in our brotherhood development activities. Simply, if you have initiative, are willing to be active and are interested in working on your leadership skills from day one, BFSSFG is the place for you.

Therefore, we welcome you to see for yourself how BFSSFG can help you reach your goals, and can help give you the opportunities that will afford you a great interweb life with outstanding possibilities. On interweb servers across North America, literally thousands of men just like yourself will be getting involved in BFSSFG this year. We look forward to you being among them.

Fraternally Yours,
The Men of the BFSSFG Fraternity

deathhare

Welcome.
Check here for all kinds of good info that you want to know.

doofo

dr hare might have meant to link to something

maybe this thread here

or not

raster

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

go to town. and welcome.

kemmer

Way more useful:
https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/274916-jackass-bfssfg-poseur-tarck-bicyclist-day.html

Seriously though, the cheapest and most simple thing to do in your situation is to find an old road bike and follow the instructions on sheldonbrown.com to convert it to single speed. Once you have some extra cash you can get a fixed rear wheel or wheelset and do the fixed gear thing. Look for a bike with horizontal dropouts in your size and have fun.

J-Shooter

Thanks for the advise. I was looking at the prices for fixed gear stuff, and I was supprised to see how expensive some of the stuff got. Going single speed now, and fixed gear later sounds like a good idea.

I found an old steel Motobecane on Ebay that looks like it could use some attention. It has horizontal dropouts and looks to be in good overall condition. I have heard that they make quality stuff, but I have heard that it is a huge pain to find parts for old french bikes.

Would it be wise to look for another bike to convert, or just try to find compatable parts?

NitroPye

You picked the one bike I would be hesitant to pick up as it could have french standard parts which will be harder (more expensive) to find.

Anyone with more knowledge feel like stepping in about that one?

J-Shooter

I guess I made it sound like I bought the Motobecane. It is still on Ebay, and I have not bid on it. It still has about a week on it still.

koyman

Using ebay to find your ol' steel frame is, in my mind, not that necessary.
If you have any local bike co-ops or similar, you would have a good selection of ol' steel frames with considerably less time money etc spent (I'd think).
Additionally, perhaps there are some BFSSFGers that live nearby and would be willing to help out, lend tools parts advice for the low low price of a sixer o' beers. I have generally found these internet folks friendly, helpful, and welcoming despite any caustic comments to stupid questions.

We're always glad when someone wants to join our Frat.

kemmer

^^^ I agree mostly, except that ebay is a really cheap way to get old moderate quality frames/bikes. Nobody wants to pay to ship a straight gauge chromoly frame, but if it's local you can get it for a song. Schwinn World Sports like the one someone posted earlier this week go for like 10 bucks. If any of these were local, they'd be a bargain.
https://cgi.ebay.com/SCHWINN-WORLD-SP...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/58cm-Vintage-Sch...QQcmdZViewItem

Ended with 0 bids:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-World-Sp...QQcmdZViewItem
https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-SCHWINN-...ayphotohosting

raster

Try craigslist as well, or freecycle. Or, if your real adventerous, you can follow the trashmen around and see if they've got anything. I've heard of people snagging some sweet stuff from the gnarly jaws of a trash compactor.

dobber

The first fork in the road: Do you have this steel framed road bike already?

That's the biggest hurdle. After that it gets easy. You can go faux-fixed with a singlespeed really cheap, $10-20 if your lucky. Going fixed has to balance cost against compromise.

My initial conversion of the Pug to singlespeed cost me $100 for a new wheelset, only because the old Maillard Helicomatic hubs were crap (https://www.flickr.com/photos/unregis...7602237432523/)

The conversion of the Purple Mistake is probably closing on a $1000, only becasue it's been a labour of love (it was my fathers bike) https://www.flickr.com/photos/unregis...7603220672327/



The link to Sheldon is a good starting point