Originally Posted by
kpug505
If you want the "high end stuff" why save change on a poor defenseless classic? Why not get a NJS frame or have one handmade by your local framebuilder? Why don't you just go buy a Motobecane Messenger or a Kilo TT, part it out and buy all the high end stuff you want (Which is what? A Sugino 75 craptastic crankset and an Aerospoke front wheel with a Nitto Jag stem and gold risers with Ouri grips? Don't forget the white tires and Turbo saddle!) Then you'll have a new "track" frame and all your fancy parts. It would probably cost less anyways..........
Well played
rxtech -
I ride a conversion. I've never injured myself on the shifter bosses, although I did once give myself a small scrape from the TT cable guides.
Don't grind anything off - what's the point? Clean looks? At some point, should you enjoy riding fixed, you may want to upgrade to either a nicer conversion or a nice track frame. You'll be glad you've got something you can either flip to fund your new build or ride around as a road bike.
Yes, it will have a low BB - the only time I had an issue with pedal strike is when I was running 172.5s, which were too long for me anyway.
Don't repaint or powdercoat the frame, it's going to cost you a ton. Looks fine the way it is, anyway. And do you really want to be worried about your fancy paint if you're riding it around town and locking it up? I did a ride up to Nyack and we're sitting in a coffee shop having a snack. Everything else on the rack cost at least 5 times what my bike did - Sevens, Mootses, a Havnoonian, a couple of Cervelos, etc. Someone knocked over a few of the bikes and everyone cleared out of the coffee shop to go see if their baby was OK. I looked outside and said to my friend 'Make sure mine isn't in the street where it'll get run over, OK?' Spend the cash on a decent wheelset instead.
And use spacers on the axle instead of cold setting it, so you can run gears in the back later.