From "Fixie" Back to Original
 

Personally, it pains me. I've never attempted to convert an old geared bike to a "fixie" [one-speed], nor would I want to. But I'm seeing a LOT of these fixies for sale on CL and elsewhere. Usually for a lot less money than an original with its original components; hub, sprocket cluster, shifters and cables.

I guess I understand why they're offered at lower cost: converting them back to their original form and intent - that is, a properly-geared road bike - is potentially expensive.

But there are some NICE old eviscerated bikes - Peugeots, Raleighs, Nishikis, Bianchis - being sold for less than $80. While it breaks my heart to see how they've been gutted out, I'm wondering if converting one or more of them back to their original form is feasible. There must be a wealth of good used derailleurs building up out there by now. I'll check CL and Ebay to see.

Generally, what was/is the typical procedure to turn these geared bikes into fixies? Is it just a matter of replacing the sprocket cluster with a single gear and replacing the chain? More important, what would be involved in restoring them BACK to their original condition? Thanks.

It's not worth it, Duane. Normally, the seller has discarded the original parts, so you'll be scrounging for derailleurs, cable stops, shifters, freewheels, chainrings and bolts. What if they've hacked off a derailleur hanger?

Why not buy a neglected but complete geared bike? You could rehabilitate that one, and need only replace rubber, tape, and cabling...maybe a chain, too, but not always.

One needs to evaluate the way that the fixie bike was originally set up when it had gears. How was the rear der mounted and has that capacity been ruined by the change over to a single gear. Same with the rear wheel and cog/freewheel mounting. Is the wheel original, did it's axle and spacing change? And if the rear wheel's spacing was changed was the frame's width changed too? How about the chain? If the original are the old links that were removed still available? How were the cranks dealt with? What happened to the shift levers or the cable routing devices (cable stops/guides). And don't forget about the brakes that might have been removed.

So a big aspect of the cost is whether the original parts are still available from the seller. And of course the condition of these parts. It's common for these bikes to be built up by "a friend" and the old parts left being as partial payment for the help. Often when wheels are changed the wheel size is different. This effects whether the stock rakes might still be proper.

Every bike's situation will be different and the costs to revert to a multy geared bike will vary. If the old parts aren't available then the bike had better be really worth it... Andy.

"What if they've hacked off a derailleur hanger?" The destruction does not always end there. Often anything not needed for the conversion is chopped off; cantilever brake studs, downtube shifter bosses, cable stops, fender eyelets, etc., in the name of a "clean" look. There are a lot of show-stoppers to consider. A long-neglected "barn special" is often a better bet, at least nobody has taken a hacksaw to it.

We've had this discussion with Duane before and it's up to 6 pages as I write this. :roflmao2:

Want more gear ratios?, get an IGH wheel built. that will be the only significant investment ..
and you can put the 1 speed hub wheel back in when you resell the 'Find'..

Depends if you have access to cheap parts; a local co-op would likely make all the difference.

I've read all your responses carefully. Except "Hillrider's." :-)

And it's depressing. Apparently, turning a bike into a "fixie" is the last step before the trash can. Oodles of these are for sale out there, for less than a song.

Delayed euthenasia.

Gonna put on some Joe Walsh, pour a small Scotch and observe a moment of silence for what could have been. DB

Sometimes they're pretty easy.

The simplest ones just need freewheel, dt shifters, one chainring, 5 double chainring bolts, derailers, shift cables and housing. Some suicide hub setups can get a little trickier if they red loctited the cog and lockring, though.

If you have good used parts shops then that should be $35-50 in parts.

Put all that stuff on and re dish rear wheel if needed.

Really need to see the bike in person to assess them properly.

I neglected to mention the sentiment of the OP regarding fixie conversions is to be lauded, and we should make every effort to encourage him in his endeavours to rectify this scourge.

Hold on a sec there, chum. I don't believe you read my reply carefully enough - if you click the last two links in my sig, you'll be rewarded with links to bike co-ops in both Minnesota and SoCal (you get bonus points for filling in the location field in your profile).

If you make your way forthwith to one or more of these said co-ops, you may well step into a whole new world of empowerment vis-a-vis turning your pedal-powered visions into reality.

If you rocked up to my co-op, one of us would dig through some crates of derailers and pull out a couple to suit your steed's vintage and quality, help you sort out whatever else needed looking at and charge you like $25 or something.

So sorry, "Kimmo." I mistook your links as a signature line. Will read and ponder. Thank you.

Duane, obviously you like to consider older, neglected bikes as salvage projects so don't write off the "fixies" categorically. If you find a decent frame that was just stripped of it's multiple gearing but wasn't hacksawed terminally, and the price is very low, it may be worth considering. As Kimmo noted, Co-Ops can be a source of very cheap parts and a lot of expertise.