First project, finding a frame... (noob warning)
 

Can someone point me in the right direction? Apologies if this has been asked many times before, I've done some searching here but havent found what I'm looking for...

I want to build a bike for fun, never built a bike before, it's over my head but I want to learn. I've decided I want to go fixie. I'm hoping it's easier and after reading Sheldon's I'm psyched to do it!

So the question is, what are the typical makes and models for a project fixie? I'm trawling thrift stores and I want to make sure I find something worth doing a project on, and not come home with a total piece o' crud 80's version of a Target bike. And since I'm a first-timer, I'm looking for something with standard sized fittings, and threads, and yadda yadda what nots, to keep it simple.

For example, a quick search on Craigslist for 'Schwinn' shows Varsities and Collegiates for around 50 bucks. But would that work for me or am I looking for something better?

Any suggestions appreciated!

Thanks,

John

cheapest steel frame you can find w/ horizontal dropouts that fits

once you know what you are doing you can upgrade...if you want (i still havnt yet)

My first fixie was an old schwinn - continental which is like the varsity - and I would advise against it. They have a single piece crank and most of them have odd sized parts so finding good new parts can be tricky. Of the stuff you are likely to find at the thrift store, look out for Univega, Japanese made Schwinns from the 80s (Travellers, Le Tours ...) Fuji, Nishiki ... really, anything lugged with horizontal drop-outs and three piece cranks made in the mid-late 70s or 80s should work fine.

For me, it is worth droping some cash on a new wheel set (search for IRO wheelsets on this forum) so don't worry about the wheels on the bikes you find. You may also find that a new set of handle bars and a new seat will make good investments (but I think this is less of a worry than the wheels). But when you're looking at used bikes, try to figure out if the stem, seat post, headset, bottom bracket and cranks are going to be usable. Individually, these things don't cost that much but if you need all of them you will rack up quite a bill.

If you haven't done so already, spend lots of time at fixedgeargallery.com and see what other folks have done. There are loads of conversion bikes there and they will give you ideas about what to look for.

Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

There's decent deals to be had on Craigslist. What size frame/bike do you need?

Yeah, those'll work. People have made good fixies from those. In terms of Schwinn, all but the top couple models have very similar frames. Remember you'll not be using the shifters, rear brake, derailers, freewheels, maybe the handlebars, etc. So heavy and/or crappy components aren't an especially big concern.

I was in your situation a couple months ago, ended up with a 1983 Lotus frame (probably equivalent to a Schwinn Letour or something like that), kept the frame, fork, seatpost, stem, headset, front wheel, back rim, and tires. I followed Sheldon's guide and even relaced the rear wheel myself. I now have a great ride, in fact I commute on it every day.

Any Japanese or American bike from the 70s or 80s should work for you. Possibly a French import like a Peugeot, but some models have the obsolete French bottom bracket threads (others don't, however). Basically, look for the best bike with horizontal dropouts that you can get for $20 or $50 or however much you want to spend. What emayex said above is good advice :)

I would suggest looking for a complete older bike. I went to the older LBS in my area that sells used bikes. Ask to dig around in the back and tell them what you are doing. Guys in those shops enjoy a good project and should advise you. If they do then give them your buisness, they deserve it. The reason I suggested a complete bike is because you will have almost everything you need and it will all fit. Then find/build a track rear wheel and viola!

There are a lot of old bike boom bikes ( 70's-early 90's) floating around with great comps. Always better to recycle a cycle I say.

Good hunting.

Wow, everybody! That's all some good advice. I always hate dropping in on a forum and askin' what's already been asked. I really appreciate this, I have a much greater understanding of what needs to be done. And great urls too.

Hey I used to live in San Bruno! When I was there I thought I was the only cyclist.

If you can find something on CL that'd be awesome, and tell me what keywords you usually search with. Lesse, I'm fairly tall, 6'3". My 63cm Felt roadie fits me well.

This would be good conversion... In fact I just picked up a 49cm Univega Viva Sport.
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/bik/70518589.html

There's at least another couple of us riders in San Bruno. When you've got yours
built and converted you should join us for some fixed riding and keep May 21st open for
the SF Scavenger Scramble Alleycat.

Thanks, peripatetic. Thats great advice. But you've confused me a bit. You say to get a bike with all steel components and also get it with alloy/non-steel components to keep the weight down.

I'll try to minimize my initial cost. And if throwing some extra bucks on the rear-wheel makes my life easier on this first project then it's probably worth it.

Awesome. That does look like a fly bike, and my size even. I'll take your word for it and call him today.

In my searching I also found this peugeot. One of my first bikes was a peugeot and I loved it, so I'm considering that too. But I remember having massive trouble replacing the seat post since the size was considered odd, and that was 15 years ago. I want to make sure I dont hit a snag like that.

Thanks for the Alleycat heads up, I think I should have it done by then. I'll hit you up for some local fixed riding too.

What a great site!
This one here really grabs me.

If it comes down to the Peugeot or the Univega ... go for the Univega. I can't tell from the picture but the Peug. looks like it may be old enough to have some odd sized parts. The Univega on the other hand should have all standard sized parts. My fixie is a Viva Sport and I have no complaints at all.

Decide now if you wanna run fenders or larger tires. I bought a late 80s japanese road frame that doesn't have room for anything larger than 23c tires. Wish I could run something a bit larger for commuting...and maybe even knobbys in the winter. Alas, I cannot.

I wouldn't be scared off by the Peugeot (unless it has a French BB). Worst case is you get a seatpost that's slightly too small and use a shim. Or you can keep the current seatpost even if it's old and clunky (deters thieves :)). I guess it all depends on how modern-looking you want the final product to be and/or how much money you want to spend.

Sorry, I was in a rush, didn't write clearly. I meant basically, unless you're JUST paying for a frame, don't buy anything with steel components--you WILL want to upgrade all of these (or HAVE to), and then you'll be doing a lot of work and spending WAAY more money than you should. Steel components=NO, alloy components=YES. (Just getting cottered cranks off is a *****!) The three-speed thing because though Sheldon Brown says it can be done, unless you're super-wrenchy, the English-sized BB is not easily replaceable, and that'll stop you dead in your tracks.

Good luck!

From the pic the Peugeot looks very old, but it's hard to tell. Looks like I dont have a choice because the ad has beed deleted from CL. Did someone here buy it out from under me? Hehehe

Thats a very good point, thanks. I noticed the Univega had fenders and it looked kinda slick I might keep them. Although I dont know about riding a fixie when the road is wet, I'll just have to try it being that the last time I rode one was as a kid.

I found a beat up used Schwin on eBay that was local and got it for $20. I bought a new rear wheel, cog, lockring & chain from IRO and used a front wheel around the house. I picked up a Sugino Crankset and BB for short money on eBay. The new wheel set me back the most (I think it was $140 for everything). I figure I am in for under $200. It was a fun project and it is great to ride when I am out with the kids.

Your run-of-the-mill 70s-80s sports touring bike will easily fit 32 mm tires, some may fit larger. Most of the four or five I've worked on came with 27x1-1/4 tires, which is 32 mm wide, and had a bit of room to spare.

In case you find another Peugoet, check to see what kind of seatpost it needs. I have nice frame and fork, but it needs an expanding wedge seatpost. They are not made anymore.
There is no way to attatch a collar. The previous owner drilled a hole in the seat post and used a screw to hold it in place. This frame is waiting for me to find one of these mystical posts.

Sweet! This project is officially ON. I picked up a Univega from CL. Thanks to everyone for helping me get started, I really appreciate it.

Wow, that looks old enough that the shifters are clamped on. Makes for a nice clean frame.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

So I finished this bike, but unfortunately the gearing just isn't right for the hilly terrain I live in(or I'm a wimp) and so it sits unused in my garage. The horrors!

I've got 48/17 with 165mm crank arms. I wanted 18 but they were out of stock and I thought I read somewhere it's good to mix odd and even. <shrug> Still, it's way too much for me.

Any suggestions? Would it be better to increase the rear cog or decrease the front sprocket? Both? Or maybe I should guestimate with ratio with another bike and I'm wasting everyone's time...

Do whichever is cheaper, in my opinion. You can reliably get a high-quality cog for $20-25. Chainrings in irregular sizes are hard to come by sometimes, Sheldon Brown's shop has a very large selection of chainrings in different sizes and BCDs.

Hey,
I just finished my first fixed gear conversion too. I used an old 1971 Nishiki. If your bike is anything like mine, it had an old size large chain...the normal fixed gear size of 1/8". Multi-speed bikes use 3/32" i think. Due to this i was able to use one of the original front chain rings and original crank...just with new crank bolts for only one crank. It came with 44t and 54t rings... 44 works pretty well on hilly terrain with a 17 in the rear...I have a 16. I'm not sure what yours has, but the original rings on mine were Sugino.

48/19 wouldn't be a bad set up. Where's the picts?