numbnots

Hello all....new here. I recently think I've taken an interest in trying out a single speed. I'm 65 and been riding most of my life. i live in mostly flat country....sw Florida. Only real hills are bridges. I have an older road bike I'm wondering if could be converted to a single speed? I think I'd rather have the coasting option first than a fixie. I'm wondering, would it be possible to convert an older 80's vintage Bianchi SuperLegerra? This would be a project for me because, I've never gotten into the mechanical aspect of cycling. Opinions and suggestions welcome. Thanks for your input!

Bandera

One option: Find a single gear ratio on the machine that is comfortable and leave it there.
Cost/Effort = Zero.

Or having found that pleasant riding ratio determine using a gear calculator what that is in Gear Inches.

Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Gear Calculator

Follow these instructions to convert to Single Speed freewheel for your determined GI:

Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions

Have fun,

-Bandera

IamNed

I'm embarrassed to post pictures of my fixed gear bikes on this forum, but I have. I have two right now, a Raleigh Rush Hour and a Bianchi Pista. The poor Raleigh gets switched from drops (when I want to feel cool) to some cheap risers (when I want to be comfortable) quite often. The Pista features some weak hoods on the drops so I prefer it for longer rides.

Anyway, if it wasn't for fixed gear riding, I wouldn't be excited about bicycling, or, posting here. 53 years old, and getting older.

My next bike will be a Wabi or some other steel bike with a road frame and fixed gear and hoods on drops. Sucks to be old, but I don't feel old on my Rush Hour or Pista. So I ride and jump at the opportunity to pick up something at the store.

TimothyH

53 is not old. There are guys in the Fixed Gear forum well into their 70's who still race the velodrome.

I'm 53 and ride a Bianchi Pista. Its the most fun I've had on two wheels.

postprimepedal 

I got my first fixed gear when I was 58. No kinda' racer. Will not likely ride in a velodrome. I am now 70 and looking forward to a century ride in a couple of weeks.

IamNed

Nice. I'll be doing a century Saturday and considering doing it fixed just to say I did.

IamNed

Awesome setting and bike. Jealous of your handlebars and brake hoods.

numbnots

Thank you Bandera for the links and info!

chelvel

It's a frighteningly deep thought. Have copied.

TimothyH

Sorry I didn't see this before @IamNed.

Bars are Nitto M106 NAS and levers are SRAM S500 with the logo's deleted. The hoods come straight off the ramps and so are super comfy.



Here pictured with a Barfly mount holding a Polar V650 GPS and a Light & Motion Urban 800.

jodphoto

[/QUOTE]Originally Posted by jodphoto View Post
I just don't feel the need to be aerodynamic any more.[/QUOTE]

Not so deep…Just a bit wide.

chelvel

Dahon Mu Uno Fixed Gear conversion. Not my first or the last fixed gear bike.

chelvel

Raleigh Executive 1990 conversion. This one is for winter (fits Schwalbe Marathon Winter 700x35C) or for wet roads. 72° seat tube, 72° head tube. Very stable ride, very small BB drop (45mm) - great for fixed gear. Original fenders.

VNA

Why brakes on a fixed gear?
Their looks are so elegant and simple.
Never rode one and not sure the great advantage other than torturing oneself a little more!
The problem is in areas of steep hills like around San Francisco, although I have seen many bike messengers using them.

Dave Cutter

To be honest. So they could be removed by the buyer. The same reason the bike has reflectors.

The guy that bought the bike was a mature college professor. But I had guessed it might be a 12 year old kid with his mom in tow. So reflectors and brakes! Like I posted... I am no flipper.

I had seen a kid flying low on a fixie [like] the day before I saw this appear on CL. The kid made fixies look fun... and IT WAS. If I had created it for my own use.... besides being a bit bigger... it would have had no reflectors and only a front brake.

When you remove the gears, cogs, shifters, cables, even part of the handlebars..... these bikes get very lightweight. I think the real advantage of a fixie would be for apartment or dorm dwellers. as this thing was very easy to carry around.

wphamilton

Why brakes on a fixed gear?

Stop a lot easier, stop faster, and with quicker response than jamming on the pedals, and no skidding on my tires if I can help it!

I am 57, and have had my fixed gear bike since way back, when I was 56. I don't know about "more" fun, since I almost never coast anyway which means going downhill and around corners are the only times I'm really conscious of a difference.

Mine is set up more as a workhorse though and with rack, fenders, lights, crank case it's not lightweight. I ride it on probably half of my commutes, and on weekends when I have a family member along because it's easier to stay with their pace.

TimothyH

Locking the brakes is not the quickest way to stop. Cars have anti-lock brakes for that exact reason.

Skid stops also cause more flats as the tires pick up garbage - glass and metal from the road.

Durable skid stop tires that don't wear out right away generally have poor grip. Thickslick, Gatorskins and such are just lousy tires.

Brake hoods allow some leverage on the bars for climbing.

A rear brake allows the rider to modulate in slippery conditions.

The list goes on.



-Tim-

Bandera

Looks can be deceiving.

A FG bicycle is just another flavor of road bike (unless on a Velodrome where it is not a road bike at all) with all of the requirements of slowing, stopping ( casually or in an emergency) and descending at speed. Brakes are fitted to meet these requirements, at least a front brake on a FG or as many as one cares to install.

A FG bicycle does not magically convey the indomitable quads of Heracles able to resist the effects of gravity or Zen mastery of road hazards and clueless drivers, despite what you may have heard over PBRs in the local dive bar.

-Bandera

chelvel

And with brakes it is possible to stop fast without foot retention. I find more zen and feel more safe that way. I trully have no idea why he wrote that. I started with plain pedals at the age of 51 two years ago.