Going fixed.........

godihatethehils

okeeee here goes...after considerable thought and a little practise (on someone else's) I've decided I'm going fixed....next stop is getting my own machine. I've scoured the pages and I can't find the exact answers I'm looking for...and I know how everyone loves a posting about fixies....so if anyone could help me with the following it'd be brilliant...basically I'm wondering can I build a fixie using any old frame? (ie. an old raleigh scorpio racing frame sitting in the garage for as long as I can remember...) and secondly how hard will it be (pls bear in mind I have difficulty pumping up my own tyres before my sunday spin....:()

the other option is to fork out for a new fixie online....but hoping to avoid this if at all possible....

thanks a mill if anyone can help!!

Morgan

godihatethehils wrote: »

basically I'm wondering can I build a fixie using any old frame? (ie. an old raleigh scorpio racing frame sitting in the garage for as long as I can remember...)

You can't use any old frame - it has to have horizontal dropouts. Your Raleigh should be fine though.

godihatethehils wrote: »

and secondly how hard will it be (pls bear in mind I have difficulty pumping up my own tyres before my sunday spin....:()

On a scale of 1-10?

About 5.

This will give you a good idea of what's involved:
http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-to-fixed-conversion.html

Thomas_S_Hunterson

It's handy enough to do. Have a read of sheldon.

Google threw up this pic of one already converted which seems to have semi-horizontal dropouts, which is perfect.

Depending on what you have, you'll probably need a new back-wheel (or get the old one rebuilt with a fixed hub). After that, it's all down to taste what you do with the brakes, handlebars saddle, pedals etc.

TinyExplosions

Frankly, you're almost cheaper buying a new one. Something like this one from Biddle is pretty cheap -almost certainly cheaper than the components you'd have to buy (unless your using the old bits, which does make it a bit harder)

Alternatively, I may be selling a size 56 Langster in the next couple of weeks...

Vélo

Are you investing in a new one Tiny?

Gavin

TinyExplosions wrote: »

Frankly, you're almost cheaper buying a new one. Something like this one from Biddle is pretty cheap -almost certainly cheaper than the components you'd have to buy (unless your using the old bits, which does make it a bit harder)

Alternatively, I may be selling a size 56 Langster in the next couple of weeks...

I agree with this. Build it if you want to learn how to do it, not to save money.

godihatethehils

Hmmmmm....may not be using many of the old parts due to lack of mechanical abilities mentioned earlier....but doesnt the converted raleigh look class??! I'm going to investigate how much a new back wheel with sprockety-thing and new chain would be.....would it really be better going for a new one? It's probably about time I learnt a bit more about putting bikes together....could save me a fortune in services at the bikeshop....

ps....tahnks for all the tips

TinyExplosions

Aquinas73 wrote: »

Are you investing in a new one Tiny?

Building one... all the parts are on order, and hopefully picking up the Mercian frame this week

TinyExplosions

godihatethehils wrote: »

Hmmmmm....may not be using many of the old parts due to lack of mechanical abilities mentioned earlier....but doesnt the converted raleigh look class??! I'm going to investigate how much a new back wheel with sprockety-thing and new chain would be.....would it really be better going for a new one? It's probably about time I learnt a bit more about putting bikes together....could save me a fortune in services at the bikeshop....

ps....tahnks for all the tips

They look good when converted, but almost always cost more than buying new. If you want to keep the old bits (and with a bit of cleaning, they may well be fine), have a look here -they have all the spacers and stiff you'll need to do the current conversion.

I'd say you'd be lucky to get a rear wheel for much under 80 quid if you go new.

As an example, if you want to convert (not using cheapest parts, but still at the lower end of the market, and not necessarily the best 'looking' for an old bike)

Wheelset: Navigator alloy Pista -160
One One Track Crankset -50
Bottom Bracket (depends on threading etc of the frame) -25 or so
Rear Sprocket, lockring and spacers (most likely necessary) - 50

Now, that's assuning that the seatpost, saddle, stem, headest and bars are all fine, and that the brake and lever are in good nick.

So a total of 285. You can get a new one for 300 quid or there abouts