arboc!

...And i had some questions.
first. do you need horizontal drop outs?
second. should i run flat pedals and a brake at first?
third. how do i turn a normal cassette into a fixed one
ps. there are several bikes laying around but my first choice is an older schwinn tour de france

arboc!

go herehttps://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...11#post1029311

matt swindell

No you don't need horizontal drops, but the horizantal drops are long(ish) and help to adjust chainline. So if you have semi vertical or whatever or can find the right size cog/ring to make the correct tension, that'll work too. Also you can always get an eno hub which is made for vertical, but is expensive.

I find flat pedals(with clips and straps) are great. I love mine, and don't plan on changing them soon. Plus I have heard the are easy to bail on, so they would be good for starting out(I am also biased here, being as i have never used clipless).

A brake, I think is a must, just because its there does not mean it must be used. I would rather have it and not use it, then need it and not have it. Its also good to have until you get skippping/skidding down(also note, I can do neither, and once my bike is done being painted, I don't think i will build it back up with a brake).

Cassette, I think can be changed to fixed gear depending on brand, plus model, etc. by some kind of gizmo, which can most likely be found on ebay or somewhere, I have absolutely no experience in this field, so no help here.

Lucky-Charms

first: you need horizontal drop outs or track ends to be able to ensure correct chain tension by moving the axel forward and backwards in the drop out/track end. You can d*ck around with vert. drops and different cog/chainring sizes and try and make it work, or you can by one of those white industries hubs for vert. drops

second: you should run at least a front brake at first, unless your legs are super weak and can't back pedal for squat I don't think you'll need a rear brake. You should have some type of foot retention system for your first time riding fixed. Riding fixed on normal platform pedals is harder than riding fixed with clips/straps or clipless. Choose either clips/straps or clipless based on what you like and what you currently ride, everyone has their own preference.

third: short of some crazy welding scheme, you don't turn a cassette into a fixed cassette, nor would you want to. You take off the cassette/freewheel and thread on a normal track cog with a bottom bracket lockring and plenty of loctite. Or, if you're not suicidal, go ahead and buy a normal fixed gear rear wheel from someone like Tony at irocycles.com. Nashbar also has a fixed gear wheelset going for pretty cheap.

fourth: even though you didn't ask, I'll tell you so you won't loose any street cred. Make sure your timbuk2 color matches the color of your ipod, or the guys at the coffee shop will laugh at you. Also, wear your chain lock as a belt for extra style points.

arboc!

its ok to run a fixie with a chain tentioner right?

Lucky-Charms

If you mean some type of idler pulley to adjust tension for vert. dropouts, then no. You'd mangle the chain tensioner the first time you applied any significant amount of backwards force.

The easiest (and usually cheapest) option is to get a frame that has either horizontal dropouts or trackends.

arboc!

i meant something like this...

Lucky-Charms

*crunch crunch crack snap pop grind*

that's the sound of that chain tensioner getting eaten the first time you try and backpedal.

junioroverlord

That's a no go. The only real way to have a fixie with vert drop outs is with an eccentric hub. Check out Sheldom Brown's website he explains all the mechancial whosie whats its about being fixed.

rithem

Buy a cheap track/SS wheelsset...nashbar, nycb what ever (cheap)...find a 70-80's road bike with semi horizontadropouts/ brake drillings..forget the chain tensioners adapt your chain line by finding a suitable bb to adapt the cranks or run the inboard ring and use little cog for a fixed..or make it neat and run the out board ring on a double and switch to a different BB based on the results of some preliminary measurements...set it up make sure your teeth width match with your chain, set up a brake if you like...(use it only when you need it if you like burly,,,or use it all time if you knees bug you)...be brave and kick some butt working you spin and becoming an improved rider. good look at the chain line thread in this forum for a few complicated solution for chainline solutions...i'm buzzed out

rithem

uhh..go to sleep damn daylight savings

rithem

you don't neeeeed a track bike...duuudee any old road bike that doesn't have modern vert dropouts will due...3-4cm of adjustment will work...go smooth, go cheap, learn something in process you'll like it better..or lump out some dough and buy a ready made "track/city fixed bike" and be hip..cool what ever...or find a track frame build it up for the hell of it...I would save your loot and try it out on the cheap before you jump right in.

wfisher

I don't get why a chain tensioner would snap. The rear deraillers doesn't snap when you backpedal on a freewheeling bike so what would make this tensioner break? All I imagine happening is the bottom part of the chain would tighten and force the tensioner up a bit.

junioroverlord

Theres very little ressitance when you backpedal with a freewheel and lots of resistance when you're fixed. The tensioner isn't designed for that amount of pressure to be exerted backwards and will usually bend and snap off.

rithem

You cannot equate the forces applied during backpedaling on a fixed to that of freewheel set up. completely different.

giant99

Heres the way I did it. Removed the cassette from the rear wheel screwed on a 16 t track cog locked it on with a bb lock ring. Put it on an 80's road bike frame removed the big chain ring kept the small used washers with the same thickness as the big ring to talk up the space cut the chain that was on the frame with the rear wheel on I put the chain on and sized it making sure to leave room to ajust the back wheel than cut the chain and join it with a link. Now the fun starts the cog is not going to line up with the chain ring so you will have to move the cog to the right. I took the spacers off the axle untill the sprocket was lined up with the front ring. The tire will not turn becuse it is against the frame losen all the right side spockes tighten the left, wheel will move to the centre than true it up. it cost me 11 dollars plus tax [track cog] to build my fixie.

ryan_c

https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/96621-not-quite-fixie-but-2-3-speed.html