Originally Posted by
CliffordK
The nice thing about building a "custom" bike from scratch is that you can build it up like you want, as you think you want.
It is, however, easy to get nickel and dimed to death.
$100 to $200 for your frame.
A few bucks for new track ends. A few bucks for installing them. A few more for repainting the frame (after massacring the rear end).
Wheels, tires, tubes, stem, bars, cranks, new fork ... it all adds up. If you aren't careful, your $100 bike has just cost you $500.
Well I'd most likely get must of what I need from the aforementioned co-op, and as it turns out there's a guy in my area who simple forest green clear coat and flake for $35, this would be a gradual project that would take place over a matter of months
Originally Posted by
Flatulentfox
It sounds like you are totally set on doing this, so I doubt you will listen, but...
You are making this way to hard. By the time you get a frame, deal with modifying and brazing painting and maybe replacing the fork, you will have spent more than any decent production fixed gear sells for.
You can certainly find a used fixed gear frame for less than you will spend for a modified frame.
A fixed specific frame will have a higher BB and will handle better in general for fixed riding.
If you really just want the look of an old converted road bike and money is not an issue, then go for it. Other wise, save your money and buy a fixed frame. It will have track ends and tight geo.
I'm not completely set on it, I'm still scouring the local BSTs and craigslist because I might luck out on something chromoly or Reynolds