Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Worth turning into a fixie??

Search
Notices
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)

Worth turning into a fixie??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-15-06 | 08:00 PM
  #1  
seaden's Avatar
Thread Starter
Dirty Fingers
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Motobecane Super Mirage Fixie, Somec Track Bike, Univega Supra Sport 14 sp

I got this VolksCycle frame and cleaned it up but I think it is made very cheaply...the lugs look so bad (close ups near bottom) I love the color of the bike and the chrome cleaned up VERY well and I painted silver around the lugs...I'd need a new bb too since these are cottered cranks...although this bike is made in japan so everything I hear is pretty standard.opinions?

Amateur lug work!!! or just terrible job!



Last edited by seaden; 01-15-06 at 11:13 PM.
seaden is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:02 PM
  #2  
eddiebrannan's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 0
From: NYC

Bikes: DW

no. junk
eddiebrannan is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:04 PM
  #3  
onetwentyeight's Avatar
blah
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 6
From: Oakland, CA
go for it, if you want just a cheap, around the town, dont give a **** bike. It would make a good beater/commuter, I think. Worst case scenario, if the frame doesnt work out, you can always move parts over to another one.
onetwentyeight is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:07 PM
  #4  
Ronin's Avatar
fitter, happier
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence

Bikes: I have more bikes than fingers. So I can't count em

I say do it if it fits you. Anybody realize how many people choose a frame based on brand or what they have heard without a clue why?
Ronin is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:12 PM
  #5  
seaden's Avatar
Thread Starter
Dirty Fingers
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Motobecane Super Mirage Fixie, Somec Track Bike, Univega Supra Sport 14 sp

can anyone tell me why the lugs are like this?? The bike has a serial number of 807411 and came with shimano parts...I don't get it.
seaden is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:16 PM
  #6  
barba's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,083
Likes: 0
i wouldn't put much money into it. if you already have a decent set of wheels around, it would make a decent around town bike. build projects have a tendency to get more expensive than you budget quickly, though.
barba is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:18 PM
  #7  
mattface's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 36
From: Williston, VT

Bikes: Bridgestone RB-T, Soma Rush, Razesa Racer, ⅔ of a 1983 Holdsworth Professional, Nishiki Riviera Winter Bike

Why would you bother? Your Motobecane is nicer than the Volks will ever be.
mattface is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:27 PM
  #8  
Ferrous wheel
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans

Bikes: 2004 Gunnar Rock Hound MTB; 1988 Gitane Team Pro road bike; 1986-ish Raleigh USA Grand Prix; mid-'80s Univega Gran Tourismo with Xtracycle Free Radical

I would hold out for something better. At the very least, don't put much money into it, unless it's for parts that can be moved to a nicer frame.
spider-man is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:38 PM
  #9  
seely's Avatar
The Rabbi
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 3
That looks almost exactly like my ride. It rides nicely, built up to be around 25lbs w/ fenders and pedals. Its an Azuki, but I wouldn't be surprised if it came from the same factory as the Volks.
seely is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:40 PM
  #10  
Banned.
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 1
If you already have most/all the parts necessary to make the transformation, then fix it up. If not, I'd wait for a better frame to come along...
BostonFixed is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:42 PM
  #11  
Robbykills's Avatar
Hi. I'm in Delaware.
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Newark, Delaware

Bikes: 2017 All City Space Horse, 2015 Jamis Dragonslayer, 2016 Velo Orange Pass Hunter Disc, 1991 Tommasini Competizione, 2018 Soma Wolverine fixed gear, 1996 Diamondback Outlook w/Crust Clydesdale, 1999 Torelli Corsa Strada (Coaster Brake Conversion ;] )

man from far back its a reallllllllly nice looking frame, but yeah up close, not so much
Robbykills is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 08:43 PM
  #12  
Banned.
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by seaden
can anyone tell me why the lugs are like this?? The bike has a serial number of 807411 and came with shimano parts...I don't get it.
The lugs look bad because it is a cheap, bottom end bike.

The presence of shimano parts does not indicate quality.

Shimano makes a very wide spectrum of parts, from the stamped derailleurs you see on walmart bikes to the durace 10 stuff you see lance riding...
BostonFixed is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 09:37 PM
  #13  
slopvehicle's Avatar
ass hatchet
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 0
Do it. Even if it's cheap, it's got an old-style coolness to it. You've got most of what you need right there already-- just get some cheap / used wheels, cog, lockring, etc. Hell, make it a bumbike for the bars...
slopvehicle is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 09:55 PM
  #14  
seaden's Avatar
Thread Starter
Dirty Fingers
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Motobecane Super Mirage Fixie, Somec Track Bike, Univega Supra Sport 14 sp

Originally Posted by BostonFixed
The lugs look bad because it is a cheap, bottom end bike.

The presence of shimano parts does not indicate quality.

Shimano makes a very wide spectrum of parts, from the stamped derailleurs you see on walmart bikes to the durace 10 stuff you see lance riding...
funny thing is that this bike came with dura ace parts
seaden is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 10:08 PM
  #15  
seely's Avatar
The Rabbi
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,123
Likes: 3
Heres mine for some inspiration.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
P1010265.JPG (60.4 KB, 109 views)
seely is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 11:00 PM
  #16  
tlupfer's Avatar
...
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 708
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Originally Posted by seaden
funny thing is that this bike came with dura ace parts
and umm...cottered cranks?
tlupfer is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 11:00 PM
  #17  
seaden's Avatar
Thread Starter
Dirty Fingers
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Motobecane Super Mirage Fixie, Somec Track Bike, Univega Supra Sport 14 sp

can you do a close up of the lugs?
seaden is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 11:01 PM
  #18  
seaden's Avatar
Thread Starter
Dirty Fingers
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA

Bikes: Motobecane Super Mirage Fixie, Somec Track Bike, Univega Supra Sport 14 sp

Originally Posted by tlupfer
and umm...cottered cranks?
Not sure if all were...cranks definately not.
seaden is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 11:27 PM
  #19  
Sweetened with Splenda
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, Alabama

Bikes: Too many 80s roadbikes!

If this thing really came built out with DA, it might be worth asking about over in classic & vintage - the people there are more likely to know what they're talking about when it comes to old road frames.
brokenrobot is offline  
Reply
Old 01-15-06 | 11:35 PM
  #20  
tlupfer's Avatar
...
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 708
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Originally Posted by seaden
Not sure if all were...cranks definately not.
can you take pictures of the old parts? i'm curious.
tlupfer is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 12:29 AM
  #21  
wearyourtruth's Avatar
Ride for Life
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 2
From: Houston
paint can be changed, lugs can't.... you don't seem to like it. so don't use it. you don't need us to tell you.
wearyourtruth is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 05:06 AM
  #22  
teiaperigosa's Avatar
Banned.
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: 40th, up in the 30th
I can't see what is so "wrong" with the lug work. I mean, it isn't lug shot of the day matterial, but...so what

that's a steel frame, and I would judge (based on my inexperience, but common sense) that there is nothing wrong with it and that you should ride it to see how you feel about it

of course it is 'worth' turning into a fixie
teiaperigosa is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 11:18 PM
  #23  
The Overlord
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Southern Oregon

Bikes: 2005 Pista, 2005 Gary Fisher GED, and a Old Nishiki touring bike

I'd build it as my "If it gets stolen who cares bike"
pistaboy is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 11:23 PM
  #24  
peripatetic's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,124
Likes: 2
From: NYC

Bikes: All 70s and 80s, only steel.

Perfect opportunity to experiment with your loc-tite application technique.
peripatetic is offline  
Reply
Old 01-16-06 | 11:28 PM
  #25  
hyperRevue's Avatar
King Among Runaways
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,215
Likes: 1
From: MKE

Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze

There is no bike that I could build that I wouldn't care if it got stolen.
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
hyperRevue is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.