I believe it is the moral duty of all members of this forum to show our disdain for the concept of converting a vintage geared bike to fixed. If you want to talk about how wonderful they are, get your own forum. Oh nevermind, there already is one.

The OP posted here, so I responded here. I own no converted road frames myself, I have no use for them. All of my fixed gear bikes are track bikes. However, converting a road bike to fixed in such a way that it does no irreversible harm isn't a travesty imo. If it's a nicer model, such as a paramount, colnago, etc. I would advise against a conversion. But for a something like a schwinn world sport or raleigh grand prix, then go for it.

+! If you're really set on a conversion, find a low-end bike to convert so as not to destroy something of value. Also check out places like Bikes Direct, a new fixie maybe in your price range.

I converted a UO-8 to fixed gear. I say do it. If you can find a mid-to higher end frame, go ahead on it, but please, please, please, if it's an original bike, don't cut off any braze-ons, and save what you take off so you might later be able to reverse it.

IMO, there's no problem with this as long as you can reverse what you did. That's my philosophy on a lot of things I do with bikes.

I say go for it. You'll enjoy a fixie in New Jersey I live on PA border plenty of hills and still enjoy riding my fixie, possibly more than some of my geared bikes. The simplicity of it is really attractive, it's just you and the bike. Plus it really boosts you're climbing skills when you do climb back on a geared bike. That being said use a frame that is not overly heavy and a responsive handler because if you build one out of a Varsity you will not be happy with it's climbing prowess. Just don't do anything that can't be undone if it's a real classic frame. Here's some pictures of mine which I rode on TOSRV this year in Ohio 2 days 226 miles. PS to prevent flames it a faux Pro.

....right :rolleyes: but if its a Vintage Track bike its all good :rolleyes:

I don't think anyone is "against fixed gear" bicycles in C&V. I think the way the questions were brought to light was one irritating fact. Another inevitable irritant of the "I want a vintage conversion" is more often than not the disregard to what that ride was prior to this conversion (which are usually lumped with the following). You can't go a day without hearing about a hipster who hacksawed off all braze-ons and threw away all the components of some undeniably elusive "vintage" cycle. I have a conversion that I ride a ton. It rattle canned, stripped and beaten when I got it. It's much loved now, yet missing all of it's original glory. The coasting vs fixed thing isn't a big deal to me; how can it be, my main ride (and tourer) is a p-far :).

The lack of capitalization is annoying, too.

Its been almost 2 weeks since the last Weekly Fixie Rant® everyone's eager to get their rant on ;)

Vintage fixed gear... circa 1955.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/reg2009a.JPG

If someone wants to take a nice vintage road frame and run it as a fixed gear they'd be doing what riders of old did all the time... I only get pissed when folks grind off bits and re-paint that which does not need to be re-painted.

I also ride a 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport that has been converted to a fixed gear.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...fetti2010a.JPG

Wow, that Gran Sport has gone all Andy Warholly. I like the paint. Nice bikes!

+1
Disclaimer: This is not a personal attack.

Run-on sentences are no fun either. No need to have a degree in English, but proofreading your posts is courteous to those from whom you're requesting help.

I personally think some of the higher end C&V bikes make great fixed gear conversions. I enjoy the rides on my Reynolds 531 fixed gear conversions far better than my gas pipe conversions. A lot the vintage high end bikes only have a derailleur hanger & very few braze on's so they make very clean looking conversions.

Even Sheldon converted a Paramount.;)

You'll see the same outrage out of C&V if someone takes a Raleigh Pro Track, drills it for brakes, and welds a derailer hanger to it.

-Kurt

Had I realized it would only bring a little over $500, I would have bought it, sold off the fixed wheelset, and brought it back to stock.

-Kurt

Sheldon also converted a Raleigh Professional. And why not? As long as nothing is cut off, it's not irreversible. You guys need to get a grip.

No paint... it's decoupage.

It is a fabulous bike to ride and the conversion to fg dropped it's weight by 7 pounds.

This is precisely why the OP's thread should have been moved to SS/FG.

OP's original post wasn't asking whether it was ethical to convert a 10 or 12 speed to a fixed gear. He was asking how. So why are we now discussing whether or not Fixed gear conversions are okay? OP probably feels slightly confused by all the firebombing his question has incited.

That is why he was referred to SS/FG -- Not because we hate Fixed gear bikes, but because there is an entire forum dedicated to how to do conversions. All how-to inquiries ought to be directed there.

Best of luck with the conversion, OP. I hope you have fun with it. SS&FG should be more than happy to help.

Who's bike is it??? If you didn't pay for it, then who are you to say what is and what isn't to be done to it? Yea, I hate to see nice bikes thrashed, BUT, it's not mine so I really have no say. To the OP, do what makes you happy, but as you clearly found out, you came to the wrong forum for help. There are plenty of SS and FG forums out there. Google can work wonders.

All the best.

Damn that's neat, was the decoupage tough to do/tough to maintain? I'd love to do something similar at some point.

This forum is NOT anti-SS/FG. However, the regulars are very much anti-DREW.

I was surprised at how low it went for considering it was a Paramount and owned by Sheldon. I think the high shipping costs they charge on his bikes discourages buyers.

Of course noone encourages such behaviour, sorry if i didn't express myself precise enough.

What i meant was that the newbie with the rattlecan, realizing that he just did something seriously stupid, asking for help here would be met with kindness and some advice, as far as i know this board at least...

The troll spray confused me, who against to use it and why??

same here.

I boot myself in the ass a little everytime I see a beat up Paramount frameset go for 5 or 6 hundred something bux...

It was my Siiiiiiize :cry:

I'd say the bike itself easily trumped Sheldon's ownership of it - it was a Disneyland-font machine (I believe the auction claimed '64, though bike was '63 or earlier), in pretty decent condition, and in Radiant Blue. Those guys generally hit the $600 mark well before the day is out, in any half-decent condition.

I had considered seeing if anyone here would facilitate the purchase, but I didn't bother. The build-up would have ultimately cost too much.

-Kurt