make this into fixie?
 

So I just got this Royce-Union and what thinkin about makin it into a fixie. what do you guys think?

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ok

Why not?

sweet, i love fixies.

Do it up.

are the rear dropouts an issue, or is that just an overstated precaution/preference that some people have?

Its dropouts are perfect for conversion. Vertical dropouts are not the best candidates for fixed gear because there is no way to adjust chain tension. People have tried to use the "magic gear" to achieve chain tension; however, as time goes by, the chain will stretch and the magic gear will no long have a tight chain tension. White Industries' eccentric hub works great if you are willing to spend $200 on a rear hub.

My dropouts on my bike are similar, and somebody told me they weren't good for a fixie. Not because they were vertical, but rather they faced forward instead of backward. They look pretty horizontal to me.

As long as it has enough space to pull the wheel backward and forward then you are good to go.

Hey - Bike looks in great shape - May need new wheels, tires, tubes - Harris has a pretty good set at about $120.00 - Older wheels can't handle more than about 194# and looks like your spoke nipples are about to pull through - Gear set threaded? - 120mm or 130mm? - New wheels and a tune up are the only things this bike may need - NICE...

But to go to a Fixie (fixed gear) lining up that front crank can be a real chore - Maybe stick with your larger ring in front and space it inward then take your freewheel and respace your third or fourth gear out and fix it there - Just remember with new wheels this is a pretty good bike just the way it is - My only experience on fixed gear bikes was a few times as an athlete on a track - Be sure to read Sheldon Browns articles and links on fixed gear bikes... Good Luck

is that you in the picture?

You do realize that is a freewheel hub wheel right? Can't really turn into a fixed gear by lining the chainring with the rear sprocket, it'd be a singlespeed...
Also, old road bike's rear spacing is 126mm not 120 nor 130...

Why not.

Vixtor is right - Just be sure to read Sheldon Browns articles on fixed gear - There is a thread on single speed free wheel you could buy - And keep in mind you could make the transition slowly...

If it fits, why not?

Doesn't fit.

I think the frame looks cool, but I think you're going to want to basically strip it down to just the frame and build up from there.

The components on that bike look pretty crappy. But the frame is very cool looking.

If that is where you need to put the seat height to ride it then I would not invest the cash to convert it. Find a frame that fits you better.

Sometimes 1 measurement is worth 1,000 guesses. If that bike has a 5-speed freewheel it may well have 120 mm dropouts.

Wellll, I wouldn't. Just cause that would make a very gorgeous vintage road frame. For fixed get-around I'd get a Kilo and then invest in this and make it classy as hell. But thats what I'd do.

If you do fix it, get some box rims, gumwalls, leather saddle and bartape, some more "vintage" Looking cranks (IRD Defiants are affordable and look swell), leave the road drops it has (given they're in good condition), and replace the stem.

Turning this cottered crank,dummie levered,pie plate wheeled hi-ten bike into a classy vintage road bike is going to require a lot more money than turning it into a decent get around town fixed gear.

No, it really wouldn't.

Did some searching, not what I thought it was.

Fix it if you want.

she looks pissed that you made her touch that pos....

What does everyone else think of the fork angle? I would say no unless a great price and run a melvin. On the other hand I avoid non-horizontals whenever possible. Why this bike, why this frame? If there is something unique about it to you? If so then give it a try and convert. Otherwise, love it for its multi-speedness. Uggggg loud cassettes... haha