Chicagoan

Hey Everyone,


I'm looking to build uo a fixie on an 80's Varsity frame that I got on craigslist. Not the one in my signature. I have no clue what to buy, but know what I want. So this is an 80's 19'' Varsity frame (I'm only 5'7) and fork + original crank and platform pedals.

I live in Chicago, not sure what gear ratio to run. I plan to have the frame painted black with silver decals (decals like an older Varsity, like my sig below). Running bullhorns, not sure if I want brakes or not. I want an Aluminum/Alloy Wheelset.



Did I miss anything
About what do you think it will cost me?

Chicagoan

Also, considering running a flip flop hub with a SS on one side, if I did this, I would of course run a front brake.

brett jerk

please don't paint that bike. I LOVE the look it already has

brett jerk

run brakes and do a 48x17 setup... I feel like that's pretty traditional. I ran 42x17 brakeless for a long time, but I recently threw a brake on there

the pricing really depends on how much you want to spend. you could do flop and chop bullhorns for almost nothing, use one of the cogs up front that's already on there and buy a better than decent rear wheel for $150 and a used front one for $20. headset for like $15 and a brake for $25 (the whole thing) Get a seat and seatpost for $40 and then straps and traps for $20.

You COULD do it for about $200 and still have a good/safe/fun ride or you could spend a HELL of a lot more.

You could get a good crank set for $80, a chainring for $20, a $90 seat, a $40 seatpost, $400+ on a nice wheelset, pay $150 for a nice headset, straps and traps for like $50, and buy a set of nice bullhorns for $100+ and a brake for $80

You could spend $1000, but why the hell would you get all those parts and put them on a schwinn varsity frame?

erichsia

If you gonna be SS'ing it, run 2 brakes. The reason you can run one on a fixed gear is because your legs are the rear brake. Do a search on this. Hell, search "conversion" on the SSFG forum. It will answer all of your questions.

Chicagoan

I want it ready by snowfall, funds permitting, I may end up borrowing a few things from my other varsity, like front wheel. My other Varsity is my favorite bike, so no way I'm converting it.

Chicagoan

Oh yeah, where can I get a rear fender that mounts where the rear brakes were

somegeek

I just finished my bike(well almost) and I started with a frame/fork/headset/bottom bracket.

My SS Build - 82 Schwinn Superior (Baby Paramount)

Search this site by titles only for a part name. Ton of info in the archives. Can't beat user reviews.

Ton of info in the archives if you're willing to search and read.

Ebay is decent source for used parts. I got my stem and seat post for $5 each plus shipping. My used bottom bracket for $32 - it's around $90 new.

Good luck.

somegeek

Chicagoan

There is a bike co-op near me (Blackstone Bicycle Works) that has tons of used parts. I think I will head over there tomorrow for a nice pair of drop bars. Maybe they'll chop em for me..Don't be shy people. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Chicagoan

Hey guys,

I'm so excited about this project now. I picked up the Varsity Frame in style. I Picked it up on the north side of Chicago and brought it to a relative's house. I spent the night there and loaded the trailer up with a pizza box, my 30 pound bookbag and a change of clothes. I then towed all of this 18 miles home with my other Varsity that is in my avatar and sig.
I dropped the stuff at home and towed the frame over to my local co-op Blackstone Bicycle works. All of the kids were kind of touchy feely, all over my varsity and trailer. I carried the frame inside and a guy about my age (16), helped me out. I picked out a bar and stem, he set them aside. I will have them cut and flipped.

The hardest part now will be finding a set of aluminum 27's. I will keep you guys posted.

Chicagoan

h yeah, Can someone reccomend a hub for the back wheel, I'm not running a flip flop, just fg.

frankstoneline

I love my surly. though formula's are nice too. I would just snag a set of those formula to cxp 22's for about 160.

Chicagoan

also, I'm buying new aluminum rims from Sheldon Brown's site

Chicagoan

Hey Guys,

Its been a while, but the project is just about done. I'll have pics on tuesday. The project overall will cost about 400 bones. The bike should be done on tuesday. What started out as a little lugged Varsity frame, with a wierd Shimano FF crank, is now just about fixified. Here is the list of what was done, and what is being done.

Old Crank and BB torn down $5 labor

Used Quil stem and Dropbars(cut into bullhorns) $15 $5labor

New Vuelta flip flop wheelset, 16t cog, and Kenda Tires+Tubes $140 from Bike Island

New BB $30

Used Pedals and Clips + new straps, $12

Used crankset and chainring, $7

Few other things.

I was going to have a brake run, but ran outta money... Once I put a freewheel on the other side, I will run a brake.

Frame was $50


WIll keep you posted