Fixed Gear Conversion

[ScottR]

After doing the urban ride with BrettK, I think I would like to make a Fixed Gear bike out on my 80's Club Fuji Roadbike. Its been collecting dust in the garage for about a year now, and I figured this would be a way to have some fun and give me something to tinker with.

Question #1 Before I start striping the frame of all unneeded components do I have the right kind of dropouts for this to work?

[ScottR]

12 views and no answer 2 my question WTF

[egordon]

Im pretty sure you can do it, but you might need a chain tensioner, because when your chain streches after riding you wont be able to take up the slack with that drop out.. I would PM Pops he wil know.. Marks out of town, but take it down to TS and ask Joe..

[ritebike]

You can use those dropouts, without needing a chain tensioner. You won't have the adjustment that you would have using actual track dropouts. The biggest mistake I see people make is using a freewheel hub, and a BB lockring. Purchase an actual track hub and lock ring. Any other questions, you can PM me.

[ScottR]

Thanks I'm sure Ill have some questions. Ill start looking online for a track hub, or wheel set.

[losdog]

they sell all kinds of fixie kits. ask the guys at TS if they have them or if they can order them. I was in the process of converting my bianchi cyclocross to a fixie but I am now building it back up as road for my nephew who wants a bike for tri's. you can get all kinds of info from http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
hope this helps

[egordon]

Go SS with a freehub, you are going to drive yourself nuts not being able to coast..

[ScottR]

After a close inspection of my wheel set I realize that there so out of wack that I would be better of just replacing them than fixing them up. I found some cheap ones on ebay that have a flip flop hub just in case I dont like fixed gear.

[egordon]

Mark had a NEW Flipflop SS Origin 8 thats on sale because it came with a scratch in the frame thats pretty sweet..

[ScottR]

Mark had a NEW Flipflop SS Origin 8 thats on sale because it came with a scratch in the frame thats pretty sweet..

I dont get it?????

[egordon]

A single speed track bike that can run fixed or freehub $425

[brettk]

the frame you have looks like it will work fine. if you are going to go fixed DO NOT RUN A CHAIN TENSIONER. it looks like you have a little bit of room in the rear dropouts to do some minor adjustments to chain tension, which is generally all you need.

converting a road bike to a fixed gear means you have to watch your rear hub spacing. track hubs are usually 120mm wide while road are generally 130mm wide. some track hubs, usually the less expensive, have axle's that are long enough to add spacers to gain the extra 10mm. more expensive track hubs don't have this feature since they are typically run on track specific frames.

all that being said, since my mavic track wheelset is operational again i do have the wheelset that is currently on my track bike that could go up for sale. they are formulas laced to some weinman rims. not the best, but pretty solid. they are spaced at 120mm but have the long axles so they will (should) work for on your frame.

not to cut anyone out of any sales or anything, but if you are just looking to try fixed gear out or want to experiment and tinker, i wouldn't suggest purchasing a new bike. however, once you decide you like it or don't then you buy a new bike. and if you decide you really, really like riding fixed gears then you should build one up for the trails. now that's what i call fun!

[ScottR]

Brett I Sent you a pm

[natepac]

Scott you need to ride your fixie at the Ferner/wanz ride.

[ScottR]

Scott you need to ride your fixie at the Ferner/wanz ride.

Im working. I hate my job

[egordon]

Im working. I hate my job

Could be worse.. you could be an OBGYN

152

[brettk]

i rode my track bike at the fenner/wantz ride in 06. what's the big deal?

[egordon]

The Bianchi Bastages havnt even shipped mine yet, im going to cancel.. I spent way too much time on moots site this week.. anyone for a nice SC..helluva deal lol..

[brettk]

which bianchi?

[egordon]

Pista

[brettk]

scott,

i haven't forgot about the wheelset. i broke my chainwhip a couple months ago so i need to take the wheels by the shop and get the cog and lockring off before delivery. unless of course you would like to purchase those as well..
you'd have to get a new chain though since the cog is 1/8". i should start a bike flea market.

are you going to be at the tm this weekend?

[ScottR]

In your PM I thought you said you were going to leave the cog and lockring on. It would make things alot easier for me since I dont have alot of bike specific tools. I'll give you some extra cash if need be.
The bike is ready to go except for wheels/chain.

I wont be a TM I just switched to working weekends for the next two months
Thanks

[brettk]

well, if that's what i said then that's how you'll get it. when you get a new chain it will have to be an 1/8" chain, which isn't really a big deal, you can get a 1/8" singlespeed chain for about ten bucks or so.

[smokebikeseveryday]

make sure to use your middle chain ring ont eh front when you convert it. the chain line is really important. if you have any fixie q,s i have built over 20 of them for people and have a couple my self.

[natepac]

In your PM I thought you said you were going to leave the cog and lockring on. It would make things alot easier for me since I dont have alot of bike specific tools. I'll give you some extra cash if need be.
The bike is ready to go except for wheels/chain.

I wont be a TM I just switched to working weekends for the next two months
Thanks


WOW changing your work schedule just to get out of TM.

[ScottR]

make sure to use your middle chain ring ont eh front when you convert it. the chain line is really important. if you have any fixie q,s i have built over 20 of them for people and have a couple my self.

I only had a double chain ring so I'm using the smaller one

[ScottR]

WOW changing your work schedule just to get out of TM.


Would you be mad if I showed up to ride:D

[ScottR]

well, if that's what i said then that's how you'll get it. when you get a new chain it will have to be an 1/8" chain, which isn't really a big deal, you can get a 1/8" singlespeed chain for about ten bucks or so.

I have cash. Just tell me when and where

[brettk]

i will throw them in my car and bring them either to you directly (after calling first, of course) or i will drop them at one of the shops to pick up and then we'll work the money issue out later on.

[ScottR]

Sweet........554-8043

[ScottR]

except for ugly seatpost........... I can tell from my short ride around the block its going to be addicting. Thanks to those who gave me advice, and to brett for the wheelset.

[egordon]

Ok let me hear you say it Scott.. " I Scott am now a bikohaulic "

[Dan S]

That bike looks F-U-N!! :tup:

[brettk]

get some toe clips and straps and/or a front brake until you get used to riding it.

toe clips and straps making stopping and slowing much easier, as does a front brake, just don't throw yourself over the bars. we've seen plenty of folks come in the shop with bent forks from not being able to stop quick enough.

other than that, that thing looks fun and i'm looking forward to seeing it at the next porc social ride!

[carl]

$399 fixie (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600065&subcategory=60001001&brand=&sku=24776&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Bikes)

[ritebike]

Run clipless pedals, I run A.T.A.C. pedals. If you are going to use something other than those, I suggest setting the spring tension as tight as possible. I have a shirt that says " Give Hipster's a Brake", think about it. You can ask Marty (Scratch-n-dent) about my bike skills, and my job.

[ScottR]

I'm not sure there is bike on the planet thats going to make me "cool". In my opinion one shouldnt let material things define who they are and what they are about. I didnt build the bike because of the cult status of a fixed gear bike (I could care less). I built it because If I didnt It would of fetched about 10 bucks at a yard sale., and now I have a one of a kind bike that will challege me for quite a while.

Braking is going to be an issue. I have found I cant get my bike to skid with the current platform pedals. Im just a downhill away from a trip to the ER.
I am looking at toe clips with straps and mabey a front brake until I get those mastered.


Run clipless pedals, I run A.T.A.C. pedals. If you are going to use something other than those, I suggest setting the spring tension as tight as possible. I have a shirt that says " Give Hipster's a Brake", think about it. You can ask Marty (Scratch-n-dent) about my bike skills, and my job.

[ritebike]

Scott,

I was just messing with you, please don't take it personal. I would like to mention this, use the brake for the first day or two, just to get adjusted to riding a fixed gear. I removed mine after the first day. The reason was that I realized that the brake was of no use in an emergency. The ability to foresee the future in traffic, is a skill to be learned, not something one is born with. Good luck. You can PM me if you would like, and I will answer any questions you have. I can also give you tips on locking up the back wheel, it is easier than you think, I promise.

Dean

[ScottR]

I agree with your point in being able to foresee the future of traffic. Before a wife and kids I was an avid motorcylist from the age of 6 until about 28 when I sold my V-twin Sportbike. People in automobiles generally dont have a clue whats going on around them. Im used to riding motorcylcles and bicylces in the city because I lived in St. Louis the first 23 years of my life. I was a master at lanesplitting, always felt safe becasue I was in control when cars were at a standstill. I dont know what it is but Ive never seen worse drivers than in pensacola. If I dont make any sense Its the beer taking control.