Fixed gear conversion?
 

Thanks for putting up with all my new guy questions. Why do I read so much about fixed gear conversions? I'm assuming this conversion makes the bike a single speed. Why would you do that to a bike with multiple speeds? Is it because the drivetrain the bike has may not be good, or in good condition? Thanks!

There's an entire sub-forum dedicated to answering this question (thankfully). You may want to start there and then refine your question.

and, not to be a d***, do a search before asking questions like this, there are about a million pages dealing with this and similar questions.

Anyway, welcome to BF.

The C&V guys get bent out of shape because it's usually a vintage frame that gets this treatment. We lose lots of classic frames this way. If you decide to do one, don't hack off the braze-ons, and save the original components. If you paint it, take a picture of the original decals so maybe someday in the future it can be returned to it's former glory.

As far as why? Single speed and fixie riding is fun. It's also a great supplemental training tool. And you'd be amazed what you can do with one cog. And it can be cheap, although I have too much $ in my gold one below.

If you're taking a bike worth saving apart, I'd think twice. If a bike is complete, I'd think twice.
If it's of no particular vintage, and/or parts are missing, or broken, go for it.

They're just very trendy right now.

and super fun.

Although this subject really has nothing to do with classic and vintage, these 'older' bicycles are great candidates for these conversions, one primary reason is having traditional rear semi-horizontal dropouts, like track-ends on track bikes, make chain tensioning easy.

As long as braze ons are left intact and the parts are kept safely stored away, there should be no issue with converting a multi geared bike to fixed gear. It's beyond me why anyone would get worked up over it.

well, I'll abstain from passing judgement but it seems certain that, when the fad's over in about three years, there's going to be one heck of a glut of single speeds on the market. Hopefully, the original drivetrains will find their way back onto the market as well.

In the meantime, Chicago Craigslist is consistently listing beater bikes from the 80s at about triple the price they fetched two years ago, thanks to the craze.

I welcome anyone who rides any kind of bike. But, some of the ss/fg crowd definitely like to make elitist statements regarding geared bikes. Definitely either a macho or fashion thing for a lot of them.

I somewhat agree with you there. I also remember something similar taking place when the mountain biking 'fad' began to take off during the late 80's.....:D

As long as you asked, fixed-gears make for excellent training, because you can't coast. They also send lots of orthopedic surgeons' children through college.

Fashion victims, complete with anime haircuts. :lol:

For the OP, somebody here could have pointed you to Sheldon's Fixed Gear page. If you do a conversion, this bears repeating:

-You read so much about fixed conversion because it is currently Hipster-Sheek to ride a fixed gear bike.

-It does in fact make it a single speed.

-Single speed bikes are a good option for a commuter bike, especially in foul weather, maitainance is easy. It was often done on an older bike (without classic value ;) ) with a worn out drive train.

I have a fixie I built a few years ago as an off season trainer(I cut nothing and kept all original parts;) ). Riding fixed really helps to develop a smooth round pedal stroke. It's also kind of a Zen thing, you (or at least I) feel more connected the the bike and to the road. The quiet nature of the ride is nice too, and I have brakes (plural) on mine cause I'm a big chicken.

If you're gonna take off the braze-ons and stuff, start with a cheap fuxxered up frame.

There are a ton of very fine but not necessarily rare or collectible lugged steel road frames from the 60s-80s that make great fixed gear conversions. In fact, I think they're superior to the NJS-approved track bikes that the fad followers covet, if you're going to ride it on the road. The geometry is better suited for the road, the forks and bridges are drilled for brakes, they have waterbottle cage bosses and pump pegs, and room for fenders.

As to why you would want a fixed gear bike? They are simple, reliable, fun, and can make you a better rider.

I'm really not the guy who defends the trend of fixed gear/ss conversions (because I also hate how it has made the used bike market go crazy) but I want to point out that it is not just a fad, and even if it is, how is it anyone on this list can be angry that tons of kids are riding bicycles? I started riding ss well over ten years ago because gears just get destroyed over a minneapolis winter and I was sick of the hassle. At the time I didn't even know it was a type of bike, I just remembered the BMX freewheels from my youth and thought that it should work, it did and I found a ss much easier to deal with for commuting in the winter, and just plain fun. So, I don't think people will just stop riding ss in the next couple of years because once people start riding it is hard to stop.

I now mostly ride geared bikes, but my nicest bike is my rivendell ss and I still love it.

anyway, it may be annoying but I don't think it is just a fad...then again, when all those kids upgrade to geared bikes I'll be waiting to snap up their old frames!

"The C&V guys get bent out of shape because it's usually a vintage frame that gets this treatment. We lose lots of classic frames this way. If you decide to do one, don't hack off the braze-ons, and save the original components. If you paint it, take a picture of the original decals so maybe someday in the future it can be returned to it's former glory."

Sence my new bikes are 1950s english bikes---hackin off the braze on doesn't seem to fit---must be a new bike thing---anyway back to the fixed conversion thing---it's a great ride teacher---all road bikes should be ridden fixed---at least some of the time.You got to "remember" tp pedal---yes regular multi speed roadsters do put in the miles---but if you really want the edge---go fixed for a time---you'll need a training route for the gear ratio you chose---don't go too high a gear start simple---learn to "RIDE" NOT STOMP ON THE PEDALS---go fixed---sam