Fixed Gear Conversion and Progress Pictures
#28
Uninformed Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,117
Likes: 0
From: Union County, NJ
Bikes: Dolan Pre Cursa, Cannondale R400
Being in a city I wouldn't want anything that "flashy". I have an orange Moto Messenger that I got before moved to Toronto, and now being here I'd prefer something more subdued. Just a thought from the theft perpective, I know there are some really dumpy areas in Philly.
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities, MN
I bought the wheelset like that, your color scheme seems cool and very different.
#31
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
#38
In regards to the "flashy things get stolen" idea...
I've seen a lot of "BIKE STOLEN: HELP" type posts around my city on CraigsList, local bike blogs, etc. And there doesn't seem to be a theme of whats targeted. It appears as though there are just as many $150 beater mountain bikes stolen as high-end roadies . Now - there are a lot of ways to read into that...
-Even though i've seen a lot , its a small sample size - even for my city as a whole.
-Perhaps the guys riding the "beaters" are less vigilant about locking/protecting their bikes and that inflates the amount of that type stolen.
Just food for thought : if you go with a "loud" color scheme, not only is it going to stick out more on a bike rack, its going to appeal to a younger crowd. Both of which will improve your chances of it getting stolen, in my opinion.
I've seen a lot of "BIKE STOLEN: HELP" type posts around my city on CraigsList, local bike blogs, etc. And there doesn't seem to be a theme of whats targeted. It appears as though there are just as many $150 beater mountain bikes stolen as high-end roadies . Now - there are a lot of ways to read into that...
-Even though i've seen a lot , its a small sample size - even for my city as a whole.
-Perhaps the guys riding the "beaters" are less vigilant about locking/protecting their bikes and that inflates the amount of that type stolen.
Just food for thought : if you go with a "loud" color scheme, not only is it going to stick out more on a bike rack, its going to appeal to a younger crowd. Both of which will improve your chances of it getting stolen, in my opinion.
#42
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
alright well the paint job is basically decided. going to go all orange, with a little blue on the frame, then blue bar tape. i lock up my bike properly and never leave it outside overnight. now for the bike, i have a couple questions:
-i am going with bullhorn handlebars. i was thinking the origin8 handlebars. anything wrong with these?
- for these handlebars, what is a good brake system? i was looking at the sram 700 lever. i would only need front brakes so how can i buy just one lever and caliper?
- how do flip flop hubs work? do they come with the wheel or do i replace the existing hub? or is it the type of cog i use?
sorry still dont fully understand everything so i am trying to learn.
-i am going with bullhorn handlebars. i was thinking the origin8 handlebars. anything wrong with these?
- for these handlebars, what is a good brake system? i was looking at the sram 700 lever. i would only need front brakes so how can i buy just one lever and caliper?
- how do flip flop hubs work? do they come with the wheel or do i replace the existing hub? or is it the type of cog i use?
sorry still dont fully understand everything so i am trying to learn.
#44
I'd go with fixation Rodeo bars over Origin 8, but not for any particular reason other than hating the Origin 8 logo and company.
You probably won't be able to fit the Sram 700 lever around the bend of the bullhorn. You'd be better with some cross levers(like these) or bar end levers(like these).
Most fixed gear/track wheels come with "flip flop" hubs. As long as at least one side is threaded for a track lockring(and the other is threaded for a freewheel), then you'll be able to put a freewheel on either side. Just read up and look at some pictures of flip flop or track hubs.
You probably won't be able to fit the Sram 700 lever around the bend of the bullhorn. You'd be better with some cross levers(like these) or bar end levers(like these).
Most fixed gear/track wheels come with "flip flop" hubs. As long as at least one side is threaded for a track lockring(and the other is threaded for a freewheel), then you'll be able to put a freewheel on either side. Just read up and look at some pictures of flip flop or track hubs.
#45
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
You'd be better with some cross levers(like these)
i have heard a lot of bad things about origin8. fyxation is better?
still researching pedals, cogs, wheels if anyone has any opinions or comments
also, some progress pictures attached...almost completely sanded


#47
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
so my crankset is 48T, looks like 3/32" chain. is this a good cog to go with? will i need spacers? its 13T
https://www.amazon.com/EIGHTHINCH-TRA...xie+cog+3%2F32
https://www.amazon.com/EIGHTHINCH-TRA...xie+cog+3%2F32
#50
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
i looked at that a while back and didnt understand. didnt understand it. now i do. sorry about that, should have done better research.
with 27" wheels and my crank, a 18T would get me 72. should i also look into a 20T for winter riding?
with 27" wheels and my crank, a 18T would get me 72. should i also look into a 20T for winter riding?









