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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Gonna build a single speed

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Old 10-24-05 | 03:59 PM
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Gonna build a single speed

Hi guys (and girls)! I'm thinking of building a singlespeed. I need your advice in this topics:

1. I need a frame (70s or 80s) that is compatible with 700 modern tires and rims. Or any current frame that is cheap.
2. I need to know wich of those old frames from the seventies and eighties are compatible with modern road callipers.

Thanks for answering!
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:11 PM
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i think you're gonna have to be more specific than that
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:15 PM
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Bikes: 74 paramount track, 80s maruishi track, 70s chesini track.

or just spend 10 minutes looking through the dozens of threads with similar titles to yours.
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:30 PM
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fyi most frames from the period you mention are 27". if you switch to 700c wheels you'll have to use longer-throw calipers. nothing wrong with that, but you should be aware. also if you like the tight angles you're SOOL, cause the smaller wheels will leave greater clearance oin the rear triangle. it's a look, but it's not to everyone's taste.

as for frames you might as well go for an older steel road frame with luggy-lugs, cause you just might as well. basically the field is wide open here.

but to answer your post, you're not going to be able to use a frame designed for 27" wheels with short-throw modern calipers

now over to portlandonian

Last edited by eddiebrannan; 10-24-05 at 04:36 PM.
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:34 PM
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Just find someone selling something from that time with 700c wheels. Ask the seller, they should know and its easy to figure out. With 700c wheels you can use modern brakes. I have a 1970 peugeot PX-10 that has 700c wheels, Nobody will be able to give you a list of every single bike you should look for so you'll have to search yourself.
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:41 PM
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yeah, also general used priced range that you're willing to spend on the frame would be important, it's easy to say go for a paramount, but not if you don't want to spend that much
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:42 PM
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yeah, also general used priced range that you're willing to spend on the frame would be important, it's easy to say go for a paramount, but not if you don't want to spend that much
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Old 10-24-05 | 04:42 PM
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yeah, also general used priced range that you're willing to spend on the frame would be important, it's easy to say go for a paramount, but not if you don't want to spend that much
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Old 10-24-05 | 06:30 PM
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1. Holy crap, there are literally thousands of frames that are out there that fit this description. Most pretty cheap too. Look at the rear dropouts for quality, if that's what you're looking for. Forged is better than stamped. Check the BB and headset bearings for smoothness if you can afford to be picky. These are the two things that are the biggest hassle to replace.
2. As far as brakes, just check the existing brakes on the bike; if there's 4mm of slack to move the pads, they can accomodate a 700c wheel.
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Old 10-24-05 | 06:42 PM
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dude anything that is chromoly and has a 3 piece crank
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Old 10-24-05 | 07:10 PM
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got a really nice late 80s miyata steel frame on ebay for $50.
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Old 10-25-05 | 06:40 AM
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Ebay is okay, but you can usually get far better deals from garage sales or the goodwill.
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Old 10-25-05 | 09:36 AM
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I agree with the thrift store thing. I got a 1974 Chicago Schwinn Traveler (700c) for five bucks and then added this and that from the parts pile in the garage to make a nice enough for now SS.
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Old 10-25-05 | 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Tmax1
I agree with the thrift store thing. I got a 1974 Chicago Schwinn Traveler (700c) for five bucks and then added this and that from the parts pile in the garage to make a nice enough for now SS.
Same here ... mine is a 1971 Traveler with 27x 1 1/4's and they work just fine
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