Vertical dropouts?
03-28-09, 05:47 AM
#1
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Vertical dropouts?
I've become interested in fixies and now I want to build one. The frame I have available has vertical dropouts...am I jose'd?
03-28-09, 06:05 AM
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No, but it makes it much more difficult. Better to sell the frame and get something with horizontal drop-outs, or just a complete budget bike.
03-28-09, 06:06 AM
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Well, I'll say this... it's not ideal.
Easy enough to make a single speed with vertical dropouts, but fixed is going to be either troublesome or expensive.
You've got two options if you're determined to use that frame:
1) You can play with your chain length and try to get it as perfect as possible. It can be done. But chain stretch over time will cause the chain to loosen and you'll have no way to tighten it up except putting on another chain.
2) Have a wheelset built up using an eccentric rear hub. This isn't cheap, but it'll work beautifully.
Easy enough to make a single speed with vertical dropouts, but fixed is going to be either troublesome or expensive.
You've got two options if you're determined to use that frame:
1) You can play with your chain length and try to get it as perfect as possible. It can be done. But chain stretch over time will cause the chain to loosen and you'll have no way to tighten it up except putting on another chain.
2) Have a wheelset built up using an eccentric rear hub. This isn't cheap, but it'll work beautifully.
03-28-09, 06:58 AM
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Well, thanks for the words guys. I don't think I'll be buying a new frame any time soon, so I'll just keep this one and make it a SS for now. Thats too bad, I was starting to look forward to trying out a fixie.
03-28-09, 09:36 AM
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Looko into chain tensioners like the Surly Singelator(SP?). Its designed to take up any slack in the chain.
03-28-09, 10:10 AM
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03-28-09, 10:17 AM
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Well, I'll say this... it's not ideal.
Easy enough to make a single speed with vertical dropouts, but fixed is going to be either troublesome or expensive.
You've got two options if you're determined to use that frame:
1) You can play with your chain length and try to get it as perfect as possible. It can be done. But chain stretch over time will cause the chain to loosen and you'll have no way to tighten it up except putting on another chain.
2) Have a wheelset built up using an eccentric rear hub. This isn't cheap, but it'll work beautifully.
Easy enough to make a single speed with vertical dropouts, but fixed is going to be either troublesome or expensive.
You've got two options if you're determined to use that frame:
1) You can play with your chain length and try to get it as perfect as possible. It can be done. But chain stretch over time will cause the chain to loosen and you'll have no way to tighten it up except putting on another chain.
2) Have a wheelset built up using an eccentric rear hub. This isn't cheap, but it'll work beautifully.
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03-28-09, 10:47 AM
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bummer. Try the Eno Eccentric hub like someone else said. It IS expensive, but if you skimp on some other parts, you can probably afford it. Or just sell you frame on CL and get a frame w/ horizontal dropouts. That's what I would do, anyways.
If you want fixed, don't do SS it wont be satisfying. Recently I stripped lockring threads on my hub and contemplated running the other side of the hub w/ a freewheel. I realized that this just wouldn't be the same for so many reasons. GO FIXED. you don't get that feeling of the BIKE MOVING YOU on SS.
If you want fixed, don't do SS it wont be satisfying. Recently I stripped lockring threads on my hub and contemplated running the other side of the hub w/ a freewheel. I realized that this just wouldn't be the same for so many reasons. GO FIXED. you don't get that feeling of the BIKE MOVING YOU on SS.
03-28-09, 02:10 PM
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You know, now that I think of it, maybe I got ahead of myself. Why don't vertical dropouts work with fixed gears?
03-28-09, 02:12 PM
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03-28-09, 02:14 PM
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You need non-directional tension on the chain. When you backpedal against a fixed gear, you must have tension. The only way to do that if you have vertical dropouts is to make the chain exactly the right length or install an eccentric rear hub or eccentric bottom bracket.
03-30-09, 08:24 AM
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Yeah, I'm with operator-
If this dude doesn't want to get a new frame ($50? $100?), he's certainly not going to spring for an eccentric wheel ($150 just for the hub!) or bottom bracket.
My advice to you, Yotsko, is to go the SS route with your current bike. When a cheapy frame with horizontal dropouts presents itself, make that your first fixie. If you don't already, you'll soon you'll have a house filled with bikes!
If this dude doesn't want to get a new frame ($50? $100?), he's certainly not going to spring for an eccentric wheel ($150 just for the hub!) or bottom bracket.
My advice to you, Yotsko, is to go the SS route with your current bike. When a cheapy frame with horizontal dropouts presents itself, make that your first fixie. If you don't already, you'll soon you'll have a house filled with bikes!
03-30-09, 08:27 AM
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Ok and also, Sheldon Brown does present some vertical dropout workarounds in his fixed conversion opus, available here:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
But they all sound like a big headache to me!
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
But they all sound like a big headache to me!
03-30-09, 11:16 AM
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im riding a cannondale with a semi vertical dropout, it works with my 46x16 gear ratio just fine... only thing i worry about tho is keeping the rear tire bolts TIGHT.. Im afraid that someday the backward tension from braking is gonna pull the wheel out. but its been working for me for a while now
03-30-09, 11:28 AM
#19
extra bitter
im riding a cannondale with a semi vertical dropout, it works with my 46x16 gear ratio just fine... only thing i worry about tho is keeping the rear tire bolts TIGHT.. Im afraid that someday the backward tension from braking is gonna pull the wheel out. but its been working for me for a while now
