Originally Posted by
wearyourtruth
it's disappointing whomever started this process... that thing looks like it was in MINT condition before it was half-stripped to put deep-v's on. whomever gave this to you (provided they were the one's who did it) could have at least given you the rest of the original parts. anyway, what's done is done...
i agree about changing the saddle... and obviously you need a chain, but i have no idea why you need to go out and buy a new crankset. use the original one and buy $10 single speed chainring bolts. use the inner ring. then after you've ridden it a while you can figure out whether it's too low of a gearing for you and either get a new chainring, new cog, or whole new crank (if you really want) but i see no reason to buy a new crankset when that one is a GREAT set, and most "affordable" new "track" cranks are going to still just be a road double like you have now.
I know, I would have probably not even converted it if I were them. I wish they had everything original on it (it's supposed to be all shimano 600, but they said they had no idea what happened to everything, couldn't even give me the missing parts). but hey, free bike, I can't complain!
I really don't
WANT to buy a new crankset if I don't need to, I did a little research on the one that's on it after the fact, and I think like you said, there is no need right now.