MrCjolsen

OK, so I've started on a project to build a road-worthy fixed gear almost entirely out of stuff that was either given to me by someone about to throw it away, that I found in a dumpster, or taken off of another junk bike that I converted.

I started with an old Rampar frame. The whole bike was given to me by a co-worker in trade for an old mtb that a student's parent had given me. There was hardly a decent part left on the bike, including the fork. I might use the seatpost. I've actually been using the saddle as well (and old Ideale, the main reason I even accepted the bike) But the frame was in good condition, so I sanded, primed and rattlecaned it black.

After several attempts to find a threaded fork, I discovered a matching flat black threadless 1" fork for $15. The headset was another $30. That, and $12 worth of spokes have been my only expenses so far. The "new fork" is a 700c fork with very tight clearances - I'll be limited to 23mm tires - but it looks real cool. I wonder how that will affect the bike's handling.

I had a number of old bottom bracket parts laying around, so I've assembled a bottom bracket that spins real nice. So now I have what I like to call a "long block" - that's a frame with the fork and bottom bracket installed.

So now on to the wheels. I had a old Dimension track hub where one side had stripped as a result of trying to use a cheap cog and not tightening it enough. It was on the wheel of my main ride, and I'd replaced it back in January.

In May, I found a Miyata 710 at the dump. The seatpost and stem were fused to the frame. I've yet been able to remove them. However, it had a few decent parts on it. The front wheel was good to go after I trued it and repacked the bearings. The rear rim was ok, but the hub and spokes were shot. So I disassembled the wheel so I could use the rim.

Also a while back, I traded a bunch of dumpster parts for a rear wheel that had a rim that was missing an eyelet. But it was in otherwise nice condition. Guess what! The spokes from that wheel were just the right size for the hub and the rim from the old Miyata. Well, at least half of them. So after purchasing 18 290mm spokes and nipples for $12, I was able to lace the wheel last night. I'll have to see how the truing and tensioning goes. It all goes well, I should have a pretty decent track wheel.

Like anyone else who rides fixed gear, I have a fairly extensive collection of old cogs and chainrings. And lots of old chains since I replace them every 1000 miles regardless.

I've got some 170mm Specialized cranks that were dangling on an old frame that I paid $35 for. I'm using the frame, so the cranks were essentially free.

I can use the brakes, handlbars, and lever from the Miyata. Or I can chop some old MTB bars and use those if I want to take the bike in that direction. Those bars are from and old Hardrock that another co-worker gave me where the frame was wasted (fused seatpost again. Did they not have grease in the early 80's?).

So what's left? Tires I have. I might be running a 23mm in front and a 28mm in the back, but I have them. I think the hub might need some spacers (I swiped them to use on a different hub) and I'll need rim strips.

When I'm done I should have a pretty nice bike for $75.

ilikebikes

Pics

JiveTurkey

If you stare into the text above long enough and kind of cross your eyes, a picture of the bike appears.

1fluffhead

Flimflam

"A fixed gear IS a bicycle, stupidhead!"

Jabba Degrassi

YOU KNOW WHAT? THERE IS NO NJS! OVER THERE THAT'S JUST SOME GUY IN A SUIT!

jet sanchEz

I pulled a nice old aluminium Kona out of the dumpster yesterday and I think I will make it into a single-speed. The derailleur hanger is borked so I will have to figure out the magic gear ratio but, other than that, I am stoked about this bike, it will be a great grocery-getter.

Gordon P

My 1980’s Norco SS is a dumpster find and also had a borked derailleur hanger. I changed the hubs to Shimano 105s that I found a garage sale, the leather saddle and new handle bar tape came from a charity shop, toe straps found and the tires are throwaways. So around $10 for this build.

*new*guy

the pope

capolover

thread FAILS to deliver............except the lulz.

dervish

not enough lawls for me even

MrCjolsen

Finished it.
Total cost: $87

Spokes $12
Headset $30
Fork $15
Seatpost $19
Lockring $15 (I actually took it off of another bike, so I count it as a purchase)
Tires - I replace tires sooner than most, so these were old and had been laying around for several months.

Wheels, bars, from the dump.
Stem discarded from another bike.
Rear hub discarded when one side stripped
Saddle - from a yard sale bike I fixed up and replaced with a Brooks
Frame - given to me by parent who found it in a trash heap.
Pedals - mismatched from two different pair where one has fried bearings.

Attached Images

IMG_3551.jpg (64.3 KB, 172 views)

ilikebikes

HEY! Your pics not woking!

MrCjolsen

There. Fixed it.

misha misha

i like!

Sixty Fiver

I have built nearly every bike I have with recycled / salvaged parts...

That is some nice work and does show that one does not have to spend $$$ to get a nice looking and functional bicycle.

ilikebikes

OMG! That thing is an freak of nature! ugly as Frankenstiens monster! Send it to me right away for proper disposal! P.S. NICE!

sfcrossrider

Super high five for the best response in BF history. Seriously, get this cat a crown, and some loose servants.

jilla82

im kind of salty I didnt get in here early enough to clown you for no pics


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