make this into fixie?
06-02-10 | 11:56 AM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2009
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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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06-02-10 | 03:19 PM
#7
GONE~
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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.
06-02-10 | 03:32 PM
#8
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Bikes: mid-80's Bianchi, converted to single speed, purple
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.
06-02-10 | 03:34 PM
#9
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As long as it has enough space to pull the wheel backward and forward then you are good to go.
06-02-10 | 03:40 PM
#10
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,608
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From: Bastrop Texas
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
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
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
Last edited by zandoval; 06-02-10 at 05:41 PM.
06-02-10 | 10:06 PM
#12
GONE~
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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
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
Also, old road bike's rear spacing is 126mm not 120 nor 130...
06-03-10 | 07:21 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,608
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From: Bastrop Texas
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
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...
06-04-10 | 06:51 PM
#17
Goon
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Ypsilanti, MI
Bikes: Rocky Mountain RC30, Soma Sport Fixed
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.
The components on that bike look pretty crappy. But the frame is very cool looking.
06-04-10 | 07:27 PM
#18
Get on your bikes & ride!
Joined: May 2006
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From: Lextown
Bikes: See signature (it varys day to day)
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.
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06-04-10 | 07:39 PM
#19
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: St Peters, Missouri
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
06-04-10 | 08:00 PM
#20
SpecialK
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 373
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From: CO Springs
Bikes: 2007 SE Lager
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.
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.
06-04-10 | 08:33 PM
#21
%#&*#%>?%
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 845
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From: Mass
Bikes: Pake,Shogun,Nishiki,Motobecane
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.
06-04-10 | 10:31 PM
#22
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Chico, CA
Bikes: Colnago C59 Italia, 1981 Bianchi Pista
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.
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.
06-04-10 | 11:17 PM
#25
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 36
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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