I'm thinking about converting these two bikes into fixed gear bikes. What do you think of these two as a basis to work on? Will they make good fixed gears? Potential?

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/442569-new-bikes.html

Definitely. Either one.

Post pictures when you're done!

You'd need to be pretty damn tall to ride that Apollo.

I'm 6'1" with a pretty long inseam so it fits pretty good. I'm thinking I might convert the both of these to fixed gears. Any idea what kind of a cost I would be looking at to do one of these bikes? I know it can vary but how about a ball park?

The cost varies based on what you want to do. So, what is your plan for it?

I'd like to media blast and then powder coat the frame. Keep a v-brake on the front, no brake on the back. As far as what gear I choose I'm not sure, I'm still pretty new to this and I plan on learning as I go.

Any suggestions? I can use all the help I can get.

First, both bikes, particularly the Raleigh, show pretty extensive rust on lots of the parts. Not a huge deal assuming it's just the parts rusted, and not the frame, but you might get to have some fun with seized parts.

OK, so you are planning on stripping all the parts off the frames, getting them blasted and then powdercoated, and then building them back up? Here are some rough budgets (per bike):

Supercheap $50 - reuse almost all the parts off the original bike. Buy a cog and lockring minimum (suicide hub option) or a new rear hub and remake the rear wheel. You will save money, but the bikes will suck.

Moderate $150-$200. First, buy a complete fixie wheelset. This will use almost your entire budget, but that is fine. Besides a frame that fits, wheels are the next most important thing. You might need to try finding some cheap replacement cranks, since both the ones in the pictures have integrated outer rings. You could also just use those big rings and find a suitable rear cog to get the right ratio.

Full replacement $300-up. First, you should probably be looking at a new bike at this stage, unless these have some setimental value, because they are not worth the money. Strip down the frames, and replace lots of stuff (wheels, cranks, brakes, maybe even bars) with cheap new or good used. You need lots of time to find good deals, and tools and know how to set things up right.

Also, just an FYI - v brakes do not work with either of these bikes. One looks like it has single pivot brakes, and the other has double pull. Unless you are trying to go nice, you could probably reuse the brakes, but I would replace the pads with something better, like koolstops. You will notice a huge difference in performance.

Thanks man that helps a lot! I'm thinking I'm going to be in the moderate category as this will be my first build. I'm going to keep my eyes open for another bike if one comes up too. Thanks again man!

heres what i'd do if those two bikes were mine and i had about $300 to spend.

1) **** the apollo
2) strip the raleigh -- take everything off but maybe dont mess with the headset if it works smoothly. if it doesn't, strip that off as well and rebuild it.
3) a good rattlecan job, unless you can find a cheap powdercoat shop. i probably wouldn't want to drop $125 into a powdercoat.
4) reinstall the existing bottom bracket and cranks. probably use the big chainring and take the small one off. could also use the small one and grind/file the big one off but theres no real reason unless the chainline works out that way.
5) flop and chop the bars, or buy new bars, but keep the stem
6) buy new pedals ($25), seatpost ($20), chain ($10), and wheelset/tires/cog/lockring ($200).
7) keep the seat if you can salvage it -- classy old brooks
8) probably thats all. oh yeah, the brakes... i'd ditch the rear and buy a cross lever ($15) for the front b/c i don't ride drops. probably be able to salvage the brake itself, with some new pads ($10).

Thanks for the opinion, your bike is absolutely beautiful! I'm thinking I won't bother with the media blast and powder coat for this bike as I don't want to spend a ton of cash on it unless the bike itself is a higher end bike to begin with. The Raleigh is what I was leaning towards aswell, I've been thinking about getting the apollo running again as cheaply as possible and then selling it to put towards the raleigh. Or I might just end up looking for another bike altogether. Have to wait and see. Thanks again!