Conversion Budget Questions
 

I apologize if this has been covered before -- a search did not provide me with adequate answers.

I've read Sheldon's article and I'm convinced I'd both enjoy and benefit from riding fixed gear. I have a $400 budget, which could buy me a Kilo TT. But, I have a 1983 Trek 400 which I could convert, allowing me to spend the money on better components while saving up for a better frame. Which would you recommend?

My next question is, if converting is best, on which parts should I spend my budget? I know I'd at least be buying an entire new rear wheel and a chainring (the Trek currently has a 52t and 42t, and I'd like a 46 or 48), and I'm thinking I should spend the rest on a crankset, a BB and a front wheel (so, buy a wheelset). I do not want to skimp on quality (anymore than is necessary with a $400 budget), and I'd like a balance of durability and low-weight in a wheelset. Currently, I'm looking at the Sugino RD2, its companion BB, and Mavic cxp 22's w/ formula hubs.

FWIW, I'll be commuting about 100 miles a week on the bike in an urban area (I deliver for Jimmy Johns and bike to class, publix, etc).

Any and all advice is welcome.

Thanks

Keep the Trek as is, buy the Kilo, have two bieks.

All you really need is the rear wheel, a fixed cog, and the lockring,

Seau -- Just for the benefit of having two bikes? or is the Kilo's frame enough of an upgrade from the Trek to outweigh having the upgraded wheels, cranks and bb?

I ask because having two bikes isn't much incentive for me personally.

storck -- true, and that's what I meant by entire rear wheel, but I'm willing to spend the full $400 so I figured I would make some additional upgrades.

Does not compute.

I'd sell the Trek and buy a Kilo WT, get some fenders and a sick front rack.

Pretty much anything is going to be an improvement over a 30 year old frame.

That is quite a generalization. An '83 Trek 400 has a nice lugged frame with butted Mangaloy tubing, which is pretty decent, and tried-and-true road geometry. It's a fine bike. Plenty of SSFG bikes produced now have Hi-Ten tubing with whack geometry and no cable stops of eyelets (obviously the Kilo TT being a great exception).

$400 could get you a pretty decent wheelset like you listed and some nicer brake levers/calipers with new cables, plus maybe an extra thing or two. You would have a great, reliable bike. Don't bother with the crankset, just get a 14 or 15 tooth cog to match with the 42 tooth chainring if you feel like 42 x 16 is too low of a gearing, which it probably isn't.

I'd convert the Trek and then when you decide that FG isn't ideal for delivering Jimmy John's and hauling a load of groceries, you can convert it back.

Personally, I'd keep both brakes, and redish the existing rear wheel.

Good advice. Maybe spring for a new rear wheel so the conversion is easier back-and-forth?

If the Trek is currently a good, working bicycle I would buy a separate bike to get your fixie jollies. A Trek from that era is a great workhorse, no need to reduce its utility.