The anti-conversion forum...

Boy I sure do miss the days before I realized I didn't know everything. It was a simpler time to be able to ignore anyone who didn't agree with my ideas.

I've got somewhere in the range of $150.00 to $200.00 in my conversion. To do that I had to start with a Raleigh Technium frame that I stole from my daughter and I already had a significant stash of parts so I didn't have to buy much. I built the wheels myself with new Surly hubs but I already had the rims and spokes. I bought the front brake and cross lever new, but I had access to wholesale prices for bike parts.

If you like to tinker with mechanical things a fixed conversion can be a good project that I highly recommend for the experience. I wouldn't plan on it being a money saver.

1) Conversions served their purpose years ago when there weren't very many fixed gear frames available. Now fixed gear frames are everywhere and are relatively inexpensive.

2) Conversions were ideally made from bikes that were non-functioning as a way to breathe life back into an otherwise "dead" bike.

3) Conversions were cheap because the converter usually had all of the old parts/bike available.


It makes absolutely no sense to spend cash money on a bike that you intend to butcher into a conversion while overlooking a bike specifically for the same purpose that costs LESS money, is done LESS time, and is LESS wasteful.

* The minimum cost of conversion? The price of a used road bike + the cost of a flip flop rear wheel + a cog. If you find the rear wheel used too (which shouldn't be a problem since so many people upgrade their completes right off the bat), I don't think it'll necessarily cost more than an affordable complete.
* If you know what you're looking for in the bike to be converted, you could end up with higher quality parts than the hypothetical new complete.
* How many people buy a complete and stop there? A lot of people will change saddles, handlebars, even wheels etc. on a new complete, same as you might on a 2nd hand bike. All this should be factored into the cost for both alternatives, not just the conversion.
* In my mind there's absolutely no need to "butcher" a roadbike to make a conversion. You can leave the frame as is and save the gearing specific parts for a later deconversion.

I'm not saying conversion is always the way to go. But when someone asks for advice about making a conversion, I think it's more on the point to tell them how to do it in the most sensible manner (which is the advice they actually asked for) that to tell them not to do it period. And if the OP can build a wheel, I should think he has the skills to make this happen. If his dad has all the tools, who knows how many parts he has? Plus to me it makes more sense converting a nice old road frame for street use than buying a new 'trackish' frame, but that's just me.

I was also referring to the replies that blame the would-be-converters for wanting to score hipster/street cred/whatever points. So what? How's that a threat to you? If someone wants to experience the joy of riding fixed gear and is inspired by it being somewhat marginally fashionable, how's that skin off your nose? Do you feel the new fixie kids somehow reduce your own OG fixed rider status or what is it? Yeah, riding a fixed gear on the street does not necessarily make sense - depending on the criteria you use to define sensible - but I should think most of the posters on this forum do it anyway. So where's the sense of calling a fixed gear neophyte a wannabe-hipster? Some of the attitudes on this forum quite regularly baffle me.

BFSSFG - where over-analyzing everything is high on the priority list.

Right next to calling names and putting people down. Come on, that's for the pedestrians and motorists

But seriously, this is not all that positive and encouraging an environment.

BTW Carleton, I get your point, you want to spend your time riding your bike, not wrenching. For me the wrenching and planning and looking for cheap 2nd hand parts and all that jazz i just as much fun, as is seeing the result of all that work. That being said, I ride almost every day, winter or summer.

Some (most?) were legitimately trying to get this kid the most functional, best bike possible for his situation. He didn't even mention he had a road bike at first so people assumed he didn't have wrenching skills. If a shop hadn't made my first conversion I would've been HOPELESS. Fact.

Look for horizontal dropouts. That usually means older steel frame bikes. Also, look for one that's about the right size. Ask everybody you know who rides bikes. If you ask enough people, you should be able to find a free frame.

So, you really think that there exists a decent vintage convertable frame in the SF Bay Area that happens to be this guy's size...for free?

Why are you getting this guy's hopes up?

It's not an argument, its facts. I know you're aware of bds business model.

They're not bad bikes, though. Just saying that they are not 'name brand', as claimed earlier.

I'll start here and work my way forward. It'll make more sense. You're absolutely right. i'm a big bully for pointing out that routinely we have people that come to the SSFG forums and are led to believe that all they need is a free frame some spare parts they have laying around to make a complete bike and a set of bicycle-oriented tools such as a chain whip, the proper track-cog pliers, wrench or just really strong hands and a dry rag to build the perfect conversion.

I'm not going out on a limb with sarcasm because I'm mean, I'm hoping the point will be seen without me having to bold it. But because that isn't working. Bold added.

In the least mean way of putting this - if his dad has the tools why exactly is he coming to this forum to get advise on how to build it? My recommendation was completely off. OP, your dad is probably far more qualified to help you build a fixed-gear conversion based on the fact that he has the specific tools to build it with you.

Let's really look at the original post, shall we Root?

He started out by saying, and I'm not putting words into his mouth:

So that means he's ridden at least 1/7th of a week. You do realize you're suggesting we offer him advise on how to build a wheel (I won't even bother linking to the post later by him where he cannot identify the part of the wheel he's rebuilding - hint - the rim) with that kind of experience?


Otherwise, I agree. We should be more nice to the new members of the forum who are looking for random strangers on the Internet to somehow impart wisdom without rising to the level of being dangerous. In other words, we have fun and joke with them in the hopes that they learn to sit around, read, get some knowledge, maybe ride the bike that they have (if its working) and worry less about destroying it to avoid looking like hipsters (which the OP has already indicated is not his reason for wanting to ride fixed-gear - but rather - well he gave absolutely no other variable.)

There's not a doubt in my mind that there's a free frame out there.

No. Not a "free frame out there". A decent vintage convertable frame in the SF Bay Area that happens to be this guy's size.

You are saying it is TOTALLY reasonable that he can find one, no problem for FREE?

Are you willing to wager on this? Seriously.

The problem is not that there isn't a free frame, necessarily. The problem is that the amount of work asking, begging, pleading, facebooking, writing and generally desperately seeking someone with a frame, that isn't worthless, that is the right size and usable mitigates the term free almost by simple execution; the cost invested to find that magic unicorn is probably significant when taken into consideration of time=money.

OP, if you're tight on cash and can't find a decent bike on Craigslist, order a Nashbar Hounder ($225 and you can often find free shipping and 15% off coupon codes) and ride that until you can afford something better.

Don't you see how utterly stupid that question is? The Op, who neither one of us know, is in San Fran. You're in Atlanta. I'm in St Louis. How am I going to collect? This is your idea of a serious bet?

I'm sure Carleton was 100% serious and is willing to do a secure transfer. Just send him a PM with your name and address + bank account and social security number and he'll be sure to send you the money if he loses.

Just send all moneys to me and I will hold it in escrow. You can't lose!

So I'm going to somehow remember to reply to everything that's been said so far.

1) When I said I've ridden on and off before that means more than what you think it means. Prior to having my own road bike, I road my xc coaches specialized carbon fiber (i dont remember what model it was) for about 6 months before I gave it back. I started my riding with that bike by climbing hills with my friends who had been biking for a long time, and at the end of the first week a well known mountain called Mt. Diablo. Look it up for those that don't know it. I even pulled a SF to Woodside and back ride after only 3 weeks of riding.

2) For those arguing against being able to find cheap bikes, you are all completely ignorant and far too lazy to realize how blind you are. I posted an ad on craigslist seeking a road bike for my own. A nice lady did in fact reply to me and gave me my current bike for free though my ad was willing to pay up to 150$ for a bike. Albeit it is a vintage Specialized Sirrus (google it it's black and red) and a tad bit too big, I only need to swap the stem with a shorter one and it'll ride well and fit me, it's a 54cm. It even came with SPD pedals. Thank you very much!

3) For the guy who tried to ever so much point out my stupidity when it comes to bikes I thank you for obviously making me seem like a fool. I was blanking out on the word "RIM". That does not make me stupid nor prove that I have a lack of knowledge about bikes. I thank you again.

4) Just because I said my father has tools doesn't mean I'm stupid and don't know how to use them. I know how to use all of them. When I was in 7th grade I stripped an old BMX bike down, repainted it myself with a spray can, then rebuilt the whole bike. On my road bike now, I regularly true my own wheels, change my tires, adjust my derailleurs, and more. I may not be some absolute genius or know every single F'ing term for every god damn part or tool but I know it generally works and how to fix ****. So again I thank you.

5) For everyone pointing out that conversions become more expensive than complete bikes, I disagree. I've been doing a lot of googling and craigslisting, and I've found that many people post parts on CL for almost half price. I can get carbon fiber handlebars for 15$. I've seen it before. A lot of people just don't give a ****, so they sell their stuff for hella cheap.

6) the guy selling the Bianchi Piaggio was willing to give it to me for 35$. Sure it's a pos but where else do you get complete vintage bikes for 35$ besides the scrap yard?

If I missed something let me know. I'll comment on it.

And for those that have been nice enough to offer advice without seeming like stuck up jerks or know it alls I thank you.

PS

7) ah yes why did I come here? I didn't come here to ask you to tell me how to swap the cog or hub or w/e technicality there is. I came to see what people thought, and apparently that's not much since everything is lopsided.

you asked what we thought.

we told you.

Invictus35,

You're right and I apologize. Build what you want mate and ride, it's not my problem, its not my dime and you're not my dependent. I'm sure you can find plenty of amazing bikes that are readily available cheap and ready for you to convert. If you need technical help, I direct you here https://sheldonbrown.com/.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

You do know how the US Postal Service works, right? It's been around for almost 250 years. They send a guy to your house 6 days a week.

So, what do you say? Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, or are you just woofing?

Certified Checks MOTHAAAAAA F***********CKAAAAAA!!!

Excuse me. That was unnecessary, but sh*t just got real.