Hey all,

I'm new to the FG/SS forum, but ride a bunch - all on regular geared bikes so far.

I've got a low-end Bianchi full 10-speed and also a totally stripped down peugoet frame (pics below) and I'm wondering what to do with them. I want a fixie, but I also don't have a massive budget to build up a bare frame... So I need some advice with regard to getting a "decent" fixie (my first) and trying to keep things close to a shoestring.

Logic dictates it might be easier to convert the Bianchi because I have all the bits in it already, but I do want to have this bike a while without swapping stuff, etc. I do a lot of work myself, but will be taking it into Urbane for the stuff I'm clueless on (BB, headset, cranks maybe?).

If building the Peugoet frame up is the option, are there any specific things I need to look for in terms of fixie-friendly componentry. I will be putting at least a front brake on, but that's a no-brainer. I've heard to try out several gears and see what I'm comfortable with on the roadie for gearing, I'm thinking so far a 52:19 or 52:21 which would be top ring + 3rd or 4th on my roadie cassette. Any advantage to using 48/50 on the chainring assuming the sprocket matches the ratio above, or just preference?

Bianchi:



Bike in the background is my commuter/tourer/roadie Centurion (not willing to convert this unless that's the absolute *best* option, I like it as-is).

Peugoet:



Thanks to all for any tips/advice.

Get a new wheelset and a new crank. There are tons of threads about buying cheap, quality wheels. Also, go to Sheldon Brown's website and do some reading.

That Bianchi looks like it's in terrible condition. No.

Build up the pooj. You can do this on the cheap and still look decent with:

Weinmann/Formula wheelset from ebay (user wheelandsprocket) - $160
Tires/tubes (research) - $40-$60
Sugino RD cranks - $55
Chainring/bolts/cog/lockring - $40
New stem - $30+
Front brake with TT lever - $50?
Bullhorns and tape - $50
Chain - $20

Eh. Not that cheap -- I'm sure you can find a lower price.

I like the patina on the Bianchi.

The Bianchi is a natural brunette, but it does need a bit of a cleanup paint-wise (the sheen/shine has gone, I guess that's the patina? ), just looks like a rusty pile of ass and the photo isn't ideal.

So long as I have calipers that'll reach, is there any big deal over wheel size? I'm probably going to go 700c regardless of frame, I think the Bianchi has 27s on (it's been 8 days since I got it and still haven't had chance to get a good look at it).

Another option suggested (from C&V) was to clean the Bianchi up and get 'er on craigslist... that could help pay for the other stuff. I don't need both these bikes.

Thanks so far.

The Bianchi will be easier to find parts for unlike the Peugeot, which has the French threading(?), Unless that's not a problem in Toronto.

Visually the headset on the Peugeot looks okay, but finding a BB will stink. I still would use that though.

I generally like the look of Peugeots, but I stayed away from them when doing my build for this exact reason. I have a Motobecane that is French and I generally want to throw it in the river. Professor Sheldon Brown has a nice page dedicated to French bikes. If you had the old Peugeot BB my recommendation would be to see if you could get the chainline right with different spindles, etc. However, since you don't I highly recommend putting it on craigslist and letting someone else deal with the headache of finding silly French parts.

I think the Bianchi is a little fugly, but that is up to you. From the picture is looks like it has cottered cranks. If that is the case, do NOT use this bike; it is a bottom of the barrell POS. Otherwise, read on. The Bianchi may or may not use an Italian Bottom Bracket theading, apparently in the late 70's they went from Italian to ISO. Here is more information on Sheldon's site.

If the Bianchi's BB is Italian and you needed needed a new one you could get this one: Shimano tapered square style axle Italian 70 mm width 36 mm x 24 TPI, model number UN54


As far as doing the cheapest build possible, you want to reuse as many parts as you can. I have found that the SS/Fixed bike shops in my area are far less interested in reusing parts; they want to sell you new ones.

So.. You really need a new set of wheels; I promise you those old ones are stupidly heavy. There are fairly reputable places on the web you can get wheelsets from for $160 USD, delivered (Mavic CXP22), and if you don't mind sun or weimann you can get them for $120 USD. Get 700 series wheels; if you go 27" you'll be very limited in the rubber you can get.

Then you need to try and reuse your BB, and crankset. If you can reuse these parts you can get your bike on the road for the cost of new wheels, rubber, chain, brake cable, and new front brake pads:

120 Cheap wheelset
20 Cheap tires
10 Cheap tubes
13 Chain
8 brake pads
8 brake cable

179 Total (USD)

Good luck...

PS: You can see my medium budget Fuji build at this thread.