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The problem with free frames.

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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)

The problem with free frames.

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Old 05-08-08 | 08:26 PM
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The problem with free frames.

So this roadie who lives near my friend threw out a frame the other day.
Rather than let it sit out on the curb I decided to take it home and do something with it.
So after biking home with the damn thing hanging on my shoulders, I come to find it has vertical dropouts.
Needless to say I was peaved.
However it has a super nice Campagnolo bottom bracket.
So, sell it and get a suitable frame for conversion?
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Old 05-08-08 | 08:32 PM
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try putting a wheel and chain on it. you might get lucky and it'll work. or if its close, file teh dropouts a bit. that's what i did with my old MTB frame when i converted it to single speed
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Old 05-08-08 | 08:38 PM
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I'd be scared of filing them.
They are truly tiny. No wiggle room at all.
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Old 05-08-08 | 08:47 PM
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Hmmmm, a perfectly good frame thrown out. With a campy BB even! Oh, but vertical dropouts, damnit! It's worthless....or is it? Who knows what to do with a frame with vertical dropouts?
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Old 05-08-08 | 08:52 PM
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Yes... what would I ever do with a kick ass road frame that has vertical dropouts ?

If you want to go singlespeed just throw a tensioner on that puppy.
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Old 05-08-08 | 09:01 PM
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Well I wouldn't be throwing it out.
I'd probably throw it on craigslist.
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Old 05-08-08 | 09:01 PM
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Omg Building Up A Geared Bike Would Be Terrible
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Old 05-08-08 | 09:07 PM
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It sure would.
Those geared bikes and their convenience.
I like breaking my legs trying to get up hills thank you very much.
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Old 05-08-08 | 09:21 PM
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Old 05-08-08 | 10:17 PM
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eno's are pricey tho, i wouldnt do one unless i was set on making a certain frame w/ vert dropouts fixed
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Old 05-08-08 | 10:20 PM
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What type of frame is it?
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Old 05-08-08 | 11:02 PM
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Just do an eno, they're badass hubs, i just built a wheel up for my friends trek 1000 and those hubs are NICE.
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Old 05-09-08 | 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by jet sanchEz
What type of frame is it?
+1
info on frame = DO WANT
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Old 05-09-08 | 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by fixedup
i just built a wheel up for my friends trek 1000 and those hubs are NICE.
Spending more on the rear wheel than the frame is worth = priceless. It's probably still a blast to ride.
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Old 05-09-08 | 07:22 AM
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chain tensioner and SS?
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Old 05-09-08 | 07:35 AM
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vertical dropout "conversion"

I modified my MTB's vertical dropout slightly to allow for tensioning the chain. I would not recommend this for fixed gear, but I've tested this on single speed.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/randomm...7604897079471/

cheers,

J
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Old 05-09-08 | 09:15 AM
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You sure it's not damaged?

Just sell it or give it away to someone who wants to build a geared road bike (if you don't want an ss, that is).
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Old 05-09-08 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by randomm
I modified my MTB's vertical dropout slightly to allow for tensioning the chain. I would not recommend this for fixed gear, but I've tested this on single speed.

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/randomm...7604897079471/

cheers,

J
I did the same thing to an old mtb frame & ran fixed. No problem, use "track" nuts.

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Old 05-09-08 | 10:29 AM
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sooo.... no pics?
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Old 05-09-08 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by knucks
Omg Building Up A Geared Bike Would Be Terrible
I'm with him.

Do you already have a fixed bike?
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Old 05-09-08 | 10:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Aeroplane
Spending more on the rear wheel than the frame is worth = priceless. It's probably still a blast to ride.

I did that. Frame=free, wheel=$200 + 6 Moosehead.
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Old 05-09-08 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by LóFarkas
You sure it's not damaged?
Yeah... make sure you give it a good look over. There are exceptions, but you usually get what you pay for, and it could have been on the curb for good reason.

If it is good, ENOs are golden. I see nothing wrong with putting $$ into a good wheelset. You got the frame for free! My backup road bike is a $35 thrift store Sekai with $250 Mavic Ksyriums, and I love it. I don't think people realize what a difference wheels make. Occasionally I would have customers try the same road bike with Alex/Formula, then Mavic Ksyriums, then Rolfs, then Shimano 550s, and maybe some handbuilts if we had any around. In each case, it is like riding a completely different bike. If they are looking to spend the $$, then pull out carbon wheels and start having some real fun...
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Old 05-09-08 | 10:12 PM
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I have a single speed and an old Schwinn ten-speed.
I really want do a fixed build though, so this frame is no good for me.
As for brand it's a Decathlon. Never heard of it before, but then I'm not some bike company trivia nut.
It looks to be in pretty good shape, not even a scratch on it, much less any signs of major damage.
I'm thinking I'll just get rid of it and find a better frame, I might even be able to come out of it ahead if I can get someone to buy it.
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Old 05-09-08 | 10:15 PM
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magic gear calculator
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Old 05-10-08 | 03:18 AM
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decathlon bikes

Originally Posted by FarAwayBoy
As for brand it's a Decathlon.
Decathlon is a French sports goods supermarket - they do a lot of own brand stuff. I've got a pair of their own brand SPD pedals that are decent enough for the price (half compared to Shimano stuff).

Their UK site: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/

Never actually ridden a Decathlon bike, but they do a whole range - from full carbon beauties to supermarket quality carbon steel heavyasf*ck tanks. Soo... I'd say if the brand doesn't put you off and if its a nice frame I'd go for it.

J
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