Another Bike Thread
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- Atkinson
I'm thinking about a summer project. I was thinking about buying a vintage [cheap] raleigh and making it into a fixed. I don't think I'd like a fixed for long though, so am probbly going for three gear freewheel or something, but still making it as minimal as possible. Any advice from anyone who's done something similar would be cool. Especially advice on which bike frames are good to look out for to use.
- Atkinson0
Ah, I didn't know that. Sounds interesting. Do you have a link?
- capn_ron0
no, i don't. but I just talked to my local bike shop and they brought it up. I plan on doing the same thing. That rear wheel can be around $200 though.
- Atkinson0
sure, will look into that. In the UK it'll probably be around £6000 then!
This is a cool bike IMO, after making something similar
- capn_ron0
very nice. Looks like the perfect commuter.
- canuck0
Maybe email negativespace, not sure if he uses NT much anymore, but he's built up some cool fixed gear bikes.
- acescence0
the best frames to look out for are ones that have horizontal droupouts that allow a lot of travel in the rear wheel. since the chain is of fixed length, it will be easier to get proper chain tension if you have some room to slide the rear wheel around. also, be sure to get the width and rear cog position right, might require some spacers, so your chainline is straight. usually 70's road bike frames will be the easiest to convert
- acescence0
also- if you're lucky enough to find an old sturmey archer 3-speed hub, you can convert it to a 3-speed fixed gear and get the best of both worlds. most old 50s-60s english 3-speeds will have sturmey archer hubs
- Atkinson0
Thanks for the info. Is the dropout the thing the rear wheel slides into and gets bolted to? Also, fixed wheel / fixed gear, whats the dif?
- acescence0
yes, dropouts are what rear wheel is bolted to.
in the US, fixed gear means the rear cog does not have a freewheel mechanism, so as long as rear wheel turns, pedals turn. in the UK, this is commonly referred to as fixed wheel.
in the UK, fixed gear typically means a single gear with a freewheel. in the US, this is commonly referred to as single-speed.
yes, confusing.
- loaf0
acescence... do you have any info on this? "if you're lucky enough to find an old sturmey archer 3-speed hub, you can convert it to a 3-speed fixed gear and get the best of both worlds. most old 50s-60s english 3-speeds will have sturmey archer hubs"
i play a lot with Vintage road and track stuff.. mainly 60's and before.. i have never heard of being able to convert them to a fixed.. they made a fixed hub.. A.S.C hub.. they are insanely expensive if you can find one.. they are supposed to release a new version of it.. i would be stoked to know if you can convert a non ASC one.. that is cool if it is true.
- loaf0
i would watch out on what type of frame you want to buy.. older bikes.. 70's and before.. there were lots of different threading involved.. english,italian,french,swiss.. along with different sized stems and handlebars.. (mainly french on this) it can get confusing and a pain in the ass if you really don't want to mess with it.. sticking with something Japanese or english(raleigh etc) might be your best bet..
- acescence0
loaf- sorry, i meant the 3-speeds could be converted to 2-speed fixed. the more common Sturmey-Archer AW hubs can be converted, as well as the 4-speed FM (which i've personally never seen). there's some info here: http://www.hadland.me.uk/gill.ht…
would love to see a new ASC hub myself.
- mrdobolina0
you guys and these fixed gear bikes...
- e-pill0
omg dobs i think i may buy a new bike with a fixed gear even thouigh i just bought a bike with a fixed gear i feel i need a new one as its like a drug i just cant stop thinking about my fixed gear when im sleeping im all nervous because im sleeping and not riding my fixed gear!!!
i think im going to start a club called Fixed Gear heads!!
- e-pill0
i like this Bianchi
fixed gear offcourse
- mrdobolina0
hahaha, eduardo.
nah the thing is these guys treat it like it is the end-all of bikes. not counting acescense, he is a bike geek extreme across the spectrum. everyone else has GOT TO have a fixed and they dont even know why. question them on why they need no brakes and get no solid answer. they just do not know why.
it's like a wallet chain in montana, no one is stealing your wallet.
- e-pill0
for me, i chose a fixed gear for 1 reason only. i have a 3 flight walk up that is really 6 flights up so i needed the bike with the least possible weight and having a fixed gear made sense to me knowing that more gears meant more weight and i didnt want that, plus i use my bike to just go around my hood and having a fixed gear makes sense. its the most functional bike for my needs and its fun and sleek looking and fashionable and matte black.
a win win for me.
- no reason for no brakes, sir...mrdobolina
- i added brakes to my fixed gear and also the ability to pedal backwards.e-pill
- smart, this no brake fad is dumb.mrdobolina
- but it looks sooooooooo coool and fun and
*burp trendy!!!e-pill
- e-pill0
Fixed Gear World
http://fixedgearworld.com/
- e-pill0
DOLAN
NICE!!!