So I've been jonesing for a fixie fix for at least a year now. I've got three very different geared bikes that all serve different purposes, but I really want to try fixed. I don't have a lot of dough to spend, and besides it makes sense to start cheap in case it turns out I don't ride it very much. I live in Central Vermont where flats are the exception, and all my friends think I'm crazy to want to ride a fixed bike.

Still I do, and to that end I've stripped all the parts off an old 10 speed I had leaning against the garage in preparation for a conversion. It's a nice looking frame, it has a lot of surface rust, but no pitting. It's ann Italian made frame Branded "Sprint", and looks to be early to mid 70s vintage. The lugwork is nice, not terribly ornate, not as plain as say a 70s Schwinn. The lugs and fork ends were chromed, but that is where the rust is the worty. A little work wth the sander last night revealed that the rust would come off very easily. The tube composition is unknown, but it feels fairly heavy. Maybe 6 or 7 pounds with the bottom bracket still in? It's currently stripped of everything but the bottom bracket. The grease in the headset felt like glue, and the bottom bracket is a bit crunchy, so it will need a good cleaning at least. The cottered crank has a 52 tooth ring on it. It looks cool in a retro sort of way, but it's heavy, and tall so I'm not sure if I'll use it. I'm planning to use the front Fiamme 27" wheel that's on it for now, but the back wheel is a worthless POC, so I'll get a 700c track wheel, and upgrade the front later if I want to. The brakes are Weinman center pulls, they seem clunky and heavy, so I'll probably try to get a decent long reach side pull for the front, and leave the back off.

I guess my biggest quandry is wether this frame will be worth the trouble to strip, prime and paint considering it's not terribly light. My paint plans are along the lines of flat black Rustoleum, and black and yellow reflective tape. If I decide to get fancy I might do some yelow detail work around the lugs.

Anyway what do you think? Is it worth the effort? and what is a good weight for an old steel road frame anyway.

I say, if it's in decent condition, why not? Your cash outlay will be minimal, and when you've painted it up all purty-like, you'll feel proud and glad to ride it, even if it is a little clunky.

I have heard that cottered cranks aren't the strongest for fixed usage, so if the bb is iffy anyway, you might just want to spring for a modern one and some regular cranks (which can be purloined from a newer ten- or twelve-speed). Also, Harris Cyclery has a pretty nice 27" fixed-gear wheel for about $100. I have one on my everyday ride and it has been smooth and problem-free for six months. Lastly, Weinmann center-pulls are pretty nice when it comes to actual stopping power and staying neatly aligned. If you can get away with just throwing some new pads on (Kool Stop salmon, of course), I'd recommend it.

make sure its not some funky ass thread, or you wont be able to do much to the BB. Take the rust off the chrome with "The must for rust" and some aluminum foil, sandpaper will go through the chrome.

Milo

It doesn't sound particularly high quality. A little patience I think will pay off in the end if you keep looking for a higher quality 531 or colombus SL frame. One way to check if the frame was a quality bike is if the drop outs forged or stamped.

You can look at https://www.sheldonbrown.com/glossary-d.html and click on drop out to see the difference. A stamped drop out signals that it was a low quality frame. A fixie is great not only because they are fun to ride but also you get that added benefit of dropping a lot of weight. But if you start out with a boat anchor you lose that last bit.

High quality frames can be found with enough searching and if you aren't too picky.

the BB is off. I think it's your basic italian thread, but if not I'm screwed because I had to bugger the old one up to get it off. It could still be used, but it's not pretty. The chrome was in bad shape, and the frame is halfway sanded now. it would be moreso, but I ran out of sandpaper....

So uh... I guess I decided it's worth it. With the bb out I judge it weights a bit over 5 pounds.

worst case scenario: spend some money on nice parts and when you want a new frame and you have money then you have an excuse, and nice parts that you already bought. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Phil Wood makes italian threaded cups for his BB. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

Milo

Italian cups/spindles ain't that hard to find. 36mm x 24" tpi. Phils are prolly overkill, but sometimes overkill is nice, and in the case of Phils, real nice. Aluminum foil works well for de-rusting most chrome; brass wool is also very good. Avoid steel wool, it leaves little bits behind, which rust, and is more abrasive than either of the other options. Once the chrome is de-rusted, apply some automotive paste wax to the chrome (eg Turtle Wax). It'll help ****** further rusting.

does anyone make a cartridge bb for italian thread shells?

Oh yeah, and the aluminum foil sounds like a neat trick. In this case thought the chrome was too far gone. flaking, and needed to come off

better than that. Not only Italian, but lets you place the ring chainline where you want it:

For more info on the bike ask around in the vintage forum. I know I asked about one a year ago, I'd come across one. The seat tube intrigued me. I thought it would make a great fixed gear. The one I came across was abandoned on the Greenway. When I went back later it was gone. Guess I didn't need it.

Yup, I bought a stronglight sealed BB for my Marinoni for $30 at my LBS. They are quite common.