OC Man
 

Hi guys! As you can imagine (because I'm writing this), I am new to this forum, and am actually pretty new to cycling. I used to ride a lot for fun when I was much younger, because it was the only reliable source of transportation for me. I also used to have to bike 15 miles to work everyday the summer after my high school freshman year.

I stopped riding for a long time once I got my driver's license, but have now decided to pick it up again. It's kind of sad really, I went to Berkeley for school where there are a ton of fantastic bike shops, but never decided to get back into it. Now that I've graduated and I'm back in Southern OC, I can't find an LBS worth a damn that doesn't cater to the rich, snobby clientele down here. So of course now I'm interested in riding again.

My uncle is letting me have his old road bike, which I am picking up this weekend. I would love to build a fixed gear and have been reading up on it as much as possible. I don't have a great amount of cash though, which seems to be a problem in the cycling world. I do work a 9-5 job, but most of that money is going into a savings account which is being held for me for when I go to law school a year from now. So I am trying to find a way to budget build a fixed gear and maybe build up this bike a little bit.

I hope that I can get into shape quickly, I played water polo for Berkeley for all four years, but have since just been sitting on my butt getting fat and probably ugly too. Can anybody help a poor n00bert out by pointing him in the right direction for good, cheap parts and for the know-how to build and ride a fixed gear?

Thank you, anybody who read all this crap, and thanks for inviting me in! :hug:

If you want to keep it cheap, buy new tires and brake pads for your uncle's bike, put them on and ride.

I agree, just keep it as a geared bike, and you should be fine.

What bike did you get?

Welcome to BF, and feel free to PM me with any questions :) !

East Hill
Forum Moderator

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...a/pinkstar.jpg

It is a Schwinn World Sport from way, way, way back in the day. I know keeping it geared would obviously be the easiest path, but I decided I was having too much fun taking it apart and I will be going fixed gear. I already have the wheels with a formula fixed/free hub on the back with a 16t cog, and am now going to be upgrading the crank and bb (once I get the damn thing off!).

As you can see, the notion of making it a budget build went out the window. Whoops. It is getting ready to go to the powdercoater tomorrow.

:lol: ...it should look great once it comes back!

East Hill