Fixie project
#1
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2020
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Fixie project
Hi, I'm hoping to change my BB to that of an old style square tapered BB. The reason for this is that the chainset I've chosen is a square tapered style
I'm hoping this is a common and easy thing to do. My bike is a boardman comp aluminium frame with carbon forks.
I am looking to transform the whole bike into a vintage looking fixie. I'm content with the other parts. I'm just struggling to identify what length BB I will need.
any help greatly appreciated
I'm hoping this is a common and easy thing to do. My bike is a boardman comp aluminium frame with carbon forks.
I am looking to transform the whole bike into a vintage looking fixie. I'm content with the other parts. I'm just struggling to identify what length BB I will need.
any help greatly appreciated
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Yes, you can install a square tapered BB. That's not a problem. It is a common and easy thing to do, as you say. However, converting a bike with vertical dropouts into a fixed gear is neither common nor easy. Sheldon Brown explains: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
After reading Sheldon's article, google "magic gear"
After reading Sheldon's article, google "magic gear"
#3
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,265
Likes: 6,631
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
So is the bike a brokie now?
As far as the entire project get something that has track ends or at least semi-horizontal dropouts if you are stuck on going fixed. Yes you could magic gear it and get a White Industries Eccentric Hub but honestly get a bike designed for being a fixed gear. Also a modern bike won't really look like a vintage bike with tapered carbon forks and modern aluminum tubing.
In terms of B.B. length that will be determined by your crank. Check with the crank manufacturer to see what they suggest or if it is something vintage check VeloBase or Sheldon Brown.
Me personally if I had to go with a square taper crank it would be the Sugino Super 75 which uses an ISO B.B. in 109mm or the Phil Wood Track Crank which is JIS 103mm. However I am quite happy now with my Sugino 75 Direct Drive because the outboard bottom brackets are a bit easier to work with..
As far as the entire project get something that has track ends or at least semi-horizontal dropouts if you are stuck on going fixed. Yes you could magic gear it and get a White Industries Eccentric Hub but honestly get a bike designed for being a fixed gear. Also a modern bike won't really look like a vintage bike with tapered carbon forks and modern aluminum tubing.
In terms of B.B. length that will be determined by your crank. Check with the crank manufacturer to see what they suggest or if it is something vintage check VeloBase or Sheldon Brown.
Me personally if I had to go with a square taper crank it would be the Sugino Super 75 which uses an ISO B.B. in 109mm or the Phil Wood Track Crank which is JIS 103mm. However I am quite happy now with my Sugino 75 Direct Drive because the outboard bottom brackets are a bit easier to work with..
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 4,628
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From: Ontario, Canada
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
I don't know what length bottom bracket you'll need as that'll depend on the crankset and the chainstay. I do not that buying a Half-link can make a big difference in getting the proper chain length with the gear combination you choose.
Cheers
Cheers




