Originally Posted by
kingston
[MENTION=453530]Bigcliff[/MENTION], take the fixie. Add some drop bars and Tektro RL520 levers that work with the v brakes. You may need to get a different riser and stem to get the fit right. I would also bring a few cogs and chainrings to dial in the gearing once I got there. I assume you have already put on a better saddle, wheelset and tires since you are running it fixed. Converting the 8 speed to drops will be a lot more complicated and expensive for little to no benefit on flat terrain. The only downside to a fixed gear is big hills. Since there aren't any where you're going that's a non-issue.
Thanks [MENTION=388062]kingston[/MENTION]! Much appreciated.
The tires are schwalbe marathon (i think) so may need to replace them as they are quite heavy. The saddle is quite old and needs replaced, but from reading up its very personal, so I guess I better go and sit on a few before buying. The wheelset is non standard - quando. The crankset is tracer. They were on it when I bought the bike second hand four years ago.
(Although it was a zootr frame, it cracked after 18 months and peter replaced the frame himself at cost price even though it was 2nd hand which was very decent of him - that is why the frame is a lot newer).
I will probably stick with the fixie although may need to explain why i am leaving the gift in storage!