Will this make a good fixie?

[MrVandal]

Will this bike make a good project for a fixie conversion?
If you were me where would you start?
I would like to respay the frame black.

 

[Moodyman]

No I don't think it will. It's not got the horizontal dropouts

 

[Moodyman]

.

 

[Pottsy]

Well I disagree with Moodyman - those dropouts are horizontal enough for it to work.

Other than dropouts there isn't much else that would stop you using it. As long as it fits you then I'd go for it.

 

[MartinC]

There's enough adjustment in those horizontal drop outs - you only need 1/2" to cope with any chain length ('cos the total chain can only vary in 1" increments depending on the number of links).

 

[ASC1951]

Pottsy is correct, those dropouts are fine. All you need is half a chainlink of movement on each side, plus a bit for stretch. You might find that with some chainwheel/sprocket combinations your axle is closer to one end than is ideal, but if you keep an eye on chain tension and use a solid axle, nipped up tight, it will do perfectly well.

Given that this is your first fixie, I would do the minimum to it. All you need is the fixed rear wheel. You can either swap the rear block for a fixed sprocket plus lockring - discussed in your other thread - or get a specific s/h wheel with a fixed hub, which do come up on Ebay from time to time. At this stage I would just use the existing wheel. I would also leave the chainset on and use the inner ring, rather than getting a new chainset and BB. Take the derrailleurs off, so that you don't use them by accident and throw yourself down the road. Leave the toe clips, unless you have clipless pedals already.

Personal taste, but I would also remove the suicide levers from the brakes and put better brake blocks on. Those look like puny little Weinmanns, although in fairness you don't need as much stopping power with a fixie.

If that is the edge of a Reynolds 531 sticker on the down tube, I would have said that you have a very suitable bike for a first fixie.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

nowt to add except to say +1 to 'yes' to conversion, if numbers help make up your mind…

 

[Dan B]

If it were my bike I would also replace the brake levers - I found that weinmann levers are both uncomfortable and ineffective when used from the hoods. But that's partly because I run quite a high gear and don't like leg braking

Oh, and change the saddle - it lets the whole bike down.

 

[g00se]

Oh, and if you keep the wheel, take the pie-plate off!

 

[PpPete]

As ASC1951 says... first fixie, do the minimum to it. Take freewheel off, put a fixed sprocket on, and a lockring (off an old-skool BB)

later... sure, spray it black if you want, put bull-horns & TT brakes on, whatever takes your fancy.

 

[MrVandal]

All very good advice, will post picures when it is done. Thanks for your help and advice!

 

[ASC1951]

will post pictures when it is done.

You do realise that once you have ridden fixed, there is no going back? Your friends will shake their heads, other cyclists will stare at you, thieves will leave your bike untouched, you will always open C+ here first http://www.cyclechat.net/forum/17-fixed-singlespeed/ and you will bore on to anyone who stays within earshot long enough. And you just won't care.

 

[PpPete]

You do realise that once you have ridden fixed, there is no going back? Your friends will shake their heads, other cyclists will stare at you, thieves will leave your bike untouched, you will always open C+ here first http://www.cyclechat...ed-singlespeed/ and you will bore on to anyone who stays within earshot long enough. And you just won't care.

Have we met?

 

[asterix]

That 'indexed gear system' decal on the chainstay will have to go. A hair drier might do it.

You do realise that once you have ridden fixed, there is no going back?

Surely with a bit of practice it would be possible to cycle a fixie in reverse?

 

[MrVandal]

Pottsy is correct, those dropouts are fine. All you need is half a chainlink of movement on each side, plus a bit for stretch. You might find that with some chainwheel/sprocket combinations your axle is closer to one end than is ideal, but if you keep an eye on chain tension and use a solid axle, nipped up tight, it will do perfectly well.

Given that this is your first fixie, I would do the minimum to it. All you need is the fixed rear wheel. You can either swap the rear block for a fixed sprocket plus lockring - discussed in your other thread - or get a specific s/h wheel with a fixed hub, which do come up on Ebay from time to time. At this stage I would just use the existing wheel. I would also leave the chainset on and use the inner ring, rather than getting a new chainset and BB. Take the derrailleurs off, so that you don't use them by accident and throw yourself down the road. Leave the toe clips, unless you have clipless pedals already.

Personal taste, but I would also remove the suicide levers from the brakes and put better brake blocks on. Those look like puny little Weinmanns, although in fairness you don't need as much stopping power with a fixie.

If that is the edge of a Reynolds 531 sticker on the down tube, I would have said that you have a very suitable bike for a first fixie.

Would you recommend me getting a new chain or just use the existing one?