PolishGuy

My main interest is in older Raleigh "roadster" type bikes but I do have this early 1980's Univega Super Strada that I'm thinking about converting to a fixed gear. I've had this bike for 4 years and restored it to it's original purpose of a multi-geared road bike. I set it aside for a while as I focused on the roadsters and even put it up for sale but got no serious takers. SSSsssssooooooo....I'm now thinking of converting it to a fixed gear. I've explored the possiblities and here's what I'm considering:

1.) Keep the frame, fork, headset, stem, bars and seat post.
2.) Remove the drive train components and wheels. Selling these as parts may pay for new items since all the drive train parts are Shimano Dura Ace.
3.) Purchase a new wheelset made for fixed gear use; the original wheels would need a major rebuild as a number of the spoke nipples have rounded corners or are "frozen". New tubes and tires would be included.
4.) Add newish drive train components and accessories to suit my design preferences.

Well, that's the "Reader's Digest" version of what I'm thinking. My concern is that the bike has mostly Shimano Dura Ace components on it and it may be better to sell it as a whole instead of cutting it up. Your inputs, comments and suggestions will be appreciated. PG.

eogie

Keep the bike as is! It's beautiful! What size is the frame?

rotharpunc

you will likely get more money if selling the bike as a whole. Im just guessing since I can't tell but if it's dura ace 7400 series stuff it doesn't have that great of a resale value parted out. Selling it whole you could probably get just about enough to buy a BD fixed gear bike or pick up another frame and some of the parts for conversion.

PolishGuy

Eogie- Thx. It's 63cm. Don't have a heart attack.....I used to ride a 58cm TREK 1000 and this bike has the same saddle height, pedal location and bar reach AND rides much smoother probably due to the steel frame material and large size. Just dawned on me that the pic shows it with 27" wheels instead of the 700c wheels which it was designed for. PG.

nahh

not a bad bike, would make a good convert if that's what you want to do with it.

eogie

I only exclaim because I would LOVE to own that bike. I've thought of doing the same thing to my Giordana but decided to buy another. I would do what rotharpunc suggests and go with a Kilo TT or something similar. But hell, convert it if you want.

PolishGuy

Thx for the input so far. Think I'll just sell it complete rather than messing it up as a wannabe fixed gear. The drive train is Shimano Dura Ace EX series with the weird dyna-drive pedals. Thx again, PG.

Ride Among Us

I converted a similar univega once and it ended up being a really nice bike. i was very happy.

ryanlovesyou

If you have the money, I would buy new wheels and save all the old parts. If in the future you decide to buy another dedicated fixed gear, then you put back together your road bike. Best of both worlds!

kemmer

^ that's what I would do. Or convert it and sell the parts. Just don't cut off braze ons and stuff, then I'd hafta kill ya.

Igneous Faction

Here's the Univega I converted for my girlfriend. My friend did the paint job. Unfortunately, she never rides it! It was an excellent bike, in my opinion. I kept the gearing low and comfortable.

sneaky viking

Don't convert that bike.

It's too nice and it doesn't really fit you.

tmh657

This is off the topic, sorry but....
Does anybody have a girlfriend that actually rides the bike that was built for her? I see so many ads on CL for 49- 54cm bikes that read, I built this for my girlfriend and she doesn't ride it.
The bike I built was ridden about 4 times, now it sits.