In going through my bikes and deciding what to keep and what to sell, I was in a quandary as to what to do with the first bike that I ever converted to fixed gear from a road bike. I was not truly happy with the way it came out as a drop bar f/g or bullhorn f/g bike, and was on the verge of selling it. The frame is on the large size for my body size and the seat tube angle is rather slack, making for a comfortable but rather slow handling ride. I happened upon an article on the Ibis Scorcher and was intrigued with the possibilities of seeing what could be done with this frame. I had a set of Cruiser bars, which I flipped over and cut down, and a dirt stem which matched the type of setup on the Ibis in the article. I installed them on the bike and a whole new appreciation for 1890's bicycling came to me. I lowered the gear ratio to 67 gear inches which is what was often run on that era's bike's. They didn't have the paved roads then and this type of bike was called a path racer, or scorcher, as it was used on the unpaved road surfaces of the day. Anyway, after a 75 mile ride on hilly and flat terrain yesterday, I have become a convert to this type of bike. The more upright seating position is very comfortable and it makes for a leisurely and rather genteel riding style.
I checked some my books on bicycle history and they confirmed the gear ratio and style of the finished product. One of the often used phrases in the sales literature of the time was that the bike is "Well suited to serious road work". I think that still applies. If you have any of these parts around, try it out and see what you think. Even if you have to buy the bars and stem, the bars they are available for cheap, online. The attached pic gives you an idea as to what's possible. I have decided that I won't sell this bike now. I love it and it makes for a wonderful change of pace.


Fixedgearhead