Hey all,

I recently have been in awe by fixed gears. I haneg out over in the MTN Biking forum, so this is first time over here, so don't be to mean

I have this old 10 spd. Japanese road bike that has been sitting in the garage. I've contemplated rebuilding it but I want to do somehting different. I dont have a lot of money ($25/month for allowance) so the idea of rebuilding a road bike has kind seems impossible. But a fixed gear seems like a neat idea. If I have this right, all I would need to get would be a proper fixed gear rear wheel that properly fits the frame, a rear sprocket, freewheel, and bb/cranks. Is this correct? Or am i missing something? I love the streamlike look of a fixed gear, with no derailleurs, cables, only a front brake, a very noncluttered cockpit. The bike is a Sekia, no idea on the year. I think i remember reading somewhere that the rear dropouts need to be horizontal. Is that true? The dropouts on this bike are not horizontal. If this bike doesn't fit the criteria for a fixed gear, i'll look around for a used frame that would work, and just build it up.

Sorry for all the nobbish questions, but this all is so alien and awesome

Thanks
Matt

Ya only really need a new rear wheel, cog and lockring, provided the bike is in good working order. If the bike is older, new tubes/tires might be needed and a new brake cable/housing/pads. You might want to overhaul the hubs/bb/headset if the bike is really old and has never been serviced.

If ya want to go ultra cheap, you can venture into the world of suicide wheels. Then you only need a cog and bb lockring. Search this forum for "suicide", "loctite", "bumbike", and "rotafix".

Read first:
https://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-...onversion.html

Then ask more specific questions; like what new wheel to get, etc.

Also:
https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/

Enjoy. Fixies are fun, but you may never ride you MTB again.. I didn't

Come to the dark side. Don't forget about that MTB though. Fat bikes need love too.

Great arcticle! The rear dropouts are 125mm. How cheap could I get a used 27in. rear fixed gear wheel that would fit 125mm dropouts? On top of that would I need a new chainring and/or new cranks? Since it is currently a 2 spd. up front. If so, how much would that run me if I bought used?

As for not riding my mtn bike, we shall see. It's getting less and less use after I built my cruiser

Thanks
Matt

Around $100 for a new 27" rear flip/flop wheel.
The cog and lockring will set you back another $30 or so.

You don't need new cranks or a new front chainring. All you have to do is pick the ring that you are going to use, and use single chainring bolts ($5) to use that ring.

Scroll down to 27" fixed gear rear wheels:
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels1.html

Sounds like your biggest hurdle will be the dropouts. To run fixed with vert dropouts you need either a White Ind. ENO Hub (kinda spendy but worth it) or do a lot of trial and error to find a combo that works. If you need a hand I'm in Sac and will be glad to help. Done many conversions.

When your done come downtown and ride with us. There is a few of us that get together and ride.

Thanks man, thats awesome, I'll let ya know if I need a hand. As for the dropouts, they're more horizontal then vertical... I plan to build the wheel and save a little money. My grandpa builds bikes and wheels, so he is sending me a rim, and i'll pick a hub, and lace (try) it up. Is an I.R.O Fixed/Free hub a decent hub for a starter into fixed gear world or would the Suzue Bsaic Track hub a better chioce? If I really like it, i'm sure ill build up another fixed gear w/ nicer hubs, but for now will this work?

Thanks for the offer again Cynikal

if the frame is steel, don't worry too much about a few measly mms...
https://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html
...i love doing this. i'd respace old frames all day if i could.

$25???
haha
funny stuff

Let's make it 126 mm, okay? That used to be the standard in the 5-cog days.

I'm kind of new to fixies.I just bought one last summer and I'm hooked. I bought a Specialized Langster and its fine except for the wheels. They lost true once allready and I remember from my first Trek road bike, that cheaper rims seem to offer repeat peformances of this problem. Figuring I will get som better wheels I need to know if any standard road wheel can accept a fixie type threaded axel for horizontal dropouts?

This bike came with front and rear brakes. It is sold as a freewheel and I had to add a lock ring and cog. I think I want to remove the rear brake since it hasn't been needed yet. Is there any reason to keep it. Oh and how does one skid the rear? Pulling up in front or down in the rear?

So many questions. This site is way cool.

I would avoid the Suzue and get the IRO. I think I just stripped my Suzue over the weekend (I'm pulling it apart today). You will have to wait a few weeks to order an IRO due to a death in Tony's family but it will be worth the wait. I'm ordering one as well.