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Top Vintages Bikes (for fixe ss conversion)

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Old 05-16-08, 07:43 AM
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Top Vintages Bikes (for fixe ss conversion)

I'm looking to build a fixie flip flip 1-speed from a vintage frame, and slap some nice new light wheels on it, paint it up real nice and simple.

Looking for a foundation, you know, some of the best built frames to look out for that are built solidly.

I plan to ride to work a few days a week (20 miles each way - flat roads) & for recreation.

I do have an old "Sprite" by a company called "General" but I've read that they were a super cheap product.

Any suggestions?
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Old 05-16-08, 08:11 AM
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Anything.
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Old 05-16-08, 08:14 AM
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nothing.
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Old 05-16-08, 08:24 AM
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vintage frames are trash. get a bianchi concept
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Old 05-16-08, 08:27 AM
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IMO, any "top" vintage bike really shouldn't get converted (removing paint, spray painting, etc). If you are just looking for something to commute on, any mid-range lugged Japanese bike should do the trick (miyata, nishiki, etc). The quality is great and you can find them in need of some TLC for a decent price.
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Old 05-16-08, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by knucks
vintage frames are trash. get a bianchi concept
::rolling up a newspaper to smack you like a dog that just pissed on the rug:: no, bad!
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Old 05-16-08, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by ianjk
IMO, any "top" vintage bike really shouldn't get converted (removing paint, spray painting, etc). If you are just looking for something to commute on, any mid-range lugged Japanese bike should do the trick (miyata, nishiki, etc). The quality is great and you can find them in need of some TLC for a decent price.
Agreed, the top models should be restored, as they are few and far between,
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Originally Posted by cc700
i jam my thumbs up and back into the tubes. this way i can point my fingers straight out in front to split the wind and attain an even more aero profile, and the usual fixed gear - zen - connectedness feeling through the drivetrain is multiplied ten fold because my thumbs become one with the tubing.
A group for all Dawes Galaxy owners to give and recieve information about them
https://flickr.com/groups/dawes_galaxy/
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Old 05-16-08, 08:38 AM
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look on ebay. for frame only. you can usually get a decent frame for 100-400 depending on what make and model. If you are not to particular about the frame you can great deals on frames people have already tainted (painted, removed braze ons etc). But be careful when looking for vintage frames. Pay attention to condition (is there any rust) and how things are threaded (is it french)
In a nutshell, look for something in the middle of road like <a href="https://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Raleigh-...QQcmdZViewItem">this</a> High end bikes hold their value, and if you are converting it you don't need all the campy bits.
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Old 05-16-08, 09:00 AM
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Get an older (late '70s-early '80s) entry-level Trek (300 or 400 series).
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Old 05-16-08, 09:18 AM
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best bet is find an old rare pinarello or colnago road bike (anything classic italian)... strip the components and throw em in the trash since they're prolly junk... take all brazeons/cablestays/hangers off with a grinder or hack saw... powdercoat it so nobody knows its old... probably black is your best bet.
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Old 05-16-08, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by joetotale
Get an older (late '70s-early '80s) entry-level Trek (300 or 400 series).
Trek 400 will be great as will any of the Tenax Schwinns (Prelude, Premis, Tempo). These are great riding, but not terribly sought after frames that will have standard sized parts.
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Old 05-16-08, 09:51 AM
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So what o you think of just going with the frame I've got? The General "Sprite" -I can post pics later today.
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Old 05-16-08, 10:01 AM
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admittedly i know little about the frame that you have but

1) does it have a 1 piece crank
2) does it weigh a ton
3) can you afford better

if yes to any of these questions then i would say no.

If you are going to be going 20 miles each way i would say get something that is at least niceish...

riding crap sucks... 20 miles is a long way and this should be fun.
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Old 05-16-08, 12:45 PM
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Does your Sprite have stamped or forged dropouts? If they are stamped, get rid of the bike, not worth your time.

You can ask this question in the Classic and Vintage forum; they recently had this thread with some very nice conversions: LINK
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Old 05-16-08, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by huerro
Trek 400 will be great as will any of the Tenax Schwinns (Prelude, Premis, Tempo). These are great riding, but not terribly sought after frames that will have standard sized parts.
Agreed. 1 tiny caveat about Treks is that starting about the mid-80s they started using their own dropouts, which are a bit short compared to the Campy 1010, so you may have issues using a flip flop cog where the difference is more than 1 or 2 teeth.
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Old 05-16-08, 07:10 PM
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Pics here!

Got some images up: https://www.gmflint.com/sprite.jpg
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Old 05-16-08, 07:38 PM
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Its not very nice, i mean its hi ten tubing. I'd convert it though, and replace the bb and cranks.
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Old 05-16-08, 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Gartherarth
If you life the way it fits and rides, go for it. It will never be the lightest bike on the street, but that doesn't mean it can't be a nice ride.
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