Hello,

I'm trying to put together a fixed gear for my girlfriend. We are poor so I am trying to put it together as cheaply as possible. I want to order a few parts at a time from BikeIsland. I don't really understand which components actually fit with each other. I don't want to end up with incompatible parts.

I work on my own bike but it's a Raleigh One Way and have never really had to think about which parts are are compatible. I am fairly confident I could assemble the bike with the help of a couple of books and a friend or two.

I was hoping someone could explain which parts I might run into compatibility issues with. Also if someone could maybe give me a checklist of all the parts I'll need so that I don't leave anything out.

I know I could just get a cheap fixie from bikesdirect but I think it would be a good learning experience for me and her to actually build it from the ground up.

Thanks for any help you could offer.

Or if someone had the time and was kind enough to post a list of specific BikeIsland parts I could order that would work together starting with the 2009 Cro Mo Steel Old School Fixed Gear /Single Speed Frame Set. https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1084

If it's all new parts, then it's pretty easy. Just about any new road frame takes a 68mm English-threaded bottom bracket. Pick your cranks out, and see what the manufacturer specs for bb spindle length.

The cranks and bb are half the drivetrain. The other half is the wheel/hub (almost certainly spaced 120mm), cog, and lockring, which are fairly standard.

You can shop around and likely find some of this stuff better/cheaper elsewhere but if BI is where you want to shop- this should get you started.

You're Welcome.

• Frame

==============
Quill-
• Headset
-AND-
• Stem
==============

-OR-

==============
Threadless-
• Headset
-AND-
• Shim
-AND-
• Stem
==============

• Wheels cog and lockring
• Bottom Bracket (the 110.5mm spindle should work fine)
• Crankset
• Chain
• Handlebars (I don't know what style bars you were looking for)
• Brakes, Levers, Cables
• Seatpost (you need a 26.8mm diameter)
• Saddle
• Pedals (assuming you aren't running clipless)

You'll also need:

• Tubes
• Tires
• Rim tape
• Grip tape
• Tools to put this all together
• Grease for use during assembly
• And likely some other stuff that I cant think of right now...

Wow. Thank for the list and everything. I chose Bike Island because that's where the frame I liked was and there are always ads on the forum. What other places would be a good idea to look for parts?

you are gonna spend way more than if you just buy a pre-fab off of bikesdirect. Like 100 bucks more at least. Things like rim tape, grip tape, cogs, lockrings add up.

You are welcome.

I agree that buying a whole bike (even if you change out some pieces) will be cheaper but if you want to learn to build a bike from scratch I understand that too.

There are some intricacies to understanding the threaded (quill) headsets vs. the threadless headsets. If you want more info don't be shy about asking.

Other site to get parts:

• PricePoint
• Nashbar
• Performance
• JensonUSA
• Universal Cycles
• Niagra Cycle Works
• BikepartsUSA
• Ben's Cycle

(There are many more, these are just a few that are pretty well known)