Fixed Gear Bike

UppThaDubs

Well basically me and my friend are looking to build Fixed gear bikes. The only problem is we're broke,and the only way we can think of building these bikes is by finding a frame,skinny racer frames to be precise.After scouring all the bicycle shops in The Harolds Cross-Rathmines Area,none had any old frames.
Does Anyone Know Of places that you can get frames?or even is anyone willing to give us frames?:D
willing to go to donnybrook or nutgrove to get the frames.
PM me if you interested in giving...!

Thanks,
Mark.

ec101

Hey check out Rothar.ie

BostonB

No many of those frame around. I have seen a few MTB fixies/single speeds on the web. Be far easier to source one of them.

flickerx

UppThaDubs wrote: »

willing to go to donnybrook or nutgrove to get the frames.

Wow, you're really breaking out of your southside ghetto there! Willing to venture as far as Donnybrook for a free bike frame! Hats off to you.
Ok enough sarcasm.
Seems like half the city is on the lookout for old frames at the moment for building fixies. You'll be very lucky to get one for free. Your best bet is to buy an old road bike off gumtree (€100 or so) and convert from there.

kona

flickerx wrote: »

Wow, you're really breaking out of your southside ghetto there! Willing to venture as far as Donnybrook for a free bike frame! Hats off to you.
Ok enough sarcasm.
.

dam you, thats exactley what my first thought was.

second was:

Good luck building up a ancient racer to fixed and to to a decent standard...for free or close to:rolleyes:

Third was:

Ha state of the amount of people after crap **** heaps of bikes and thinking they are instanley zero kelvin if you stick a single gear on the back

:D:D:D

But ye If you want something for nothing, your gunna have want it. jumping on a bus for the least amount of fare isnt really wanting.

If youre that lazy and cheap, id hate to see the disgrace you build(sorry but its true)

nak

It might be cheaper to buy an off-the peg track bike, eg. a Fuji, think they're around £299 full build. Or do what I did, and order a track frame (took 6 weeks to build it), pay for that, then save a bit more and order the parts, wheels etc.

Might take a few months, but I got a much nicer bike out of it with a custom paint job and mudguard eyelets, that I can also race on the track. I didn't mind waiting, and I also think that if you put together something cheap and get more into cycling, you'll end up upgrading and spending twice as much money in the long run.

Just my opinion though.

daragh_

I've an old racing frame you can have to get you started. Had planned to start building up a Fixie over the summer but life got in the way. I'm in Deansgrange, if that's not too far for you.

flickerx

Even if you got a reasonably decent road bike, where you didnt need a new front wheel, and you could just use the crank again with one chainring with singlespeed bolts, you're still looking at around the €300 mark, minimum.

Road bike with reasonably modern components: €150
Singlespeed bolts: €10
New bottom bracket: (because inevitably the old b/b will be too wide of an axle because the cranks were centre positioned for the rear cassette): €20
New rear fixed wheel, sprocket, lockring: €70

You're up to €250 there already. Thats assuming that everything on the bike you bought like the rim tape, tubes, and tyres is in decent condition and doesnt need to be replaced. Possible, but unlikely, if you've got a bike for €150, its quite probable the original stuff it came with wasnt great in the first place, or there's a good bit of wear and tear.

Then of course, because you're starting from nothing - you'll need to buy some tools to make adjustments yourself, or else pay someone to do it for you. Possibly including:
A chain breaker: €15? cant remember.
A bottom bracket removal tool: €15, maybe more?
Large adjustable wrench (to work out the bottom bracket): €40

And thats all of course assuming that everything goes perfectly according to plan when you're making the bike, e.g. you end up with a straight chainline. If not, well, possibly another bottom bracket with a shorter axle, or some spacers for the original crank bolts (no, no), and so on.

I think people should definitely build their own bikes - but be prepared to spend a bit of money on tools, parts, and mistakes.
Its a learning, fun, process, but it isnt free.

And be prepared to go beyond the confines of the bike shops in Dublin 6. Sheesh.
I know its scary - but you might even have to go to the northside.

LastGasp

@flickerx, thanks for that post - some useful info there. I'm hoping to do something similar with an oldish '80s Raleigh Racer I have. Where would you recommend to source the back wheel components, either seperately to build up myself, or maybe safer, as a built wheel ? From memory I think the spacing between the dropouts is about 127mm. Would I just get a standard Track Hub and add spacers, or do you know a source for wider Hubs ? The bike has horizontal dropouts so no problem there. I imagine the best starting point is getting the wheel sorted so you can see how it lines up with the BB and then decide what width bracket would be needed ? Cheers, LastGasp.

kona

flickerx wrote: »

Even if you got a reasonably decent road bike, where you didnt need a new front wheel, and you could just use the crank again with one chainring with singlespeed bolts, you're still looking at around the €300 mark, minimum.

Road bike with reasonably modern components: €150
Singlespeed bolts: €10
New bottom bracket: (because inevitably the old b/b will be too wide of an axle because the cranks were centre positioned for the rear cassette): €20
New rear fixed wheel, sprocket, lockring: €70

You're up to €250 there already. Thats assuming that everything on the bike you bought like the rim tape, tubes, and tyres is in decent condition and doesnt need to be replaced. Possible, but unlikely, if you've got a bike for €150, its quite probable the original stuff it came with wasnt great in the first place, or there's a good bit of wear and tear.

Then of course, because you're starting from nothing - you'll need to buy some tools to make adjustments yourself, or else pay someone to do it for you. Possibly including:
A chain breaker: €15? cant remember.
A bottom bracket removal tool: €15, maybe more?
Large adjustable wrench (to work out the bottom bracket): €40

And thats all of course assuming that everything goes perfectly according to plan when you're making the bike, e.g. you end up with a straight chainline. If not, well, possibly another bottom bracket with a shorter axle, or some spacers for the original crank bolts (no, no), and so on.

I think people should definitely build their own bikes - but be prepared to spend a bit of money on tools, parts, and mistakes.
Its a learning, fun, process, but it isnt free.

And be prepared to go beyond the confines of the bike shops in Dublin 6. Sheesh.
I know its scary - but you might even have to go to the northside.

Tis the truth:)

From what I remember, this is all from sombody who has built a few long before, fred the reds came along:D

DirkVoodoo

I thought London was bad for fixies, I was sitting having coffee on South William street the other day and I saw a lot of "hipsters".

One guy had what looked like a black allez frame with a white tri spoke wheel, running it fixed. He was also kitted out in bright white sneakers and tight black jeans.

But sure, as long as people are on bikes who cares?

kona

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I thought London was bad for fixies, I was sitting having coffee on South William street the other day and I saw a lot of "hipsters".

One guy had what looked like a black allez frame with a white tri spoke wheel, running it fixed. He was also kitted out in bright white sneakers and tight black jeans.

But sure, as long as people are on bikes who cares?

ah but its more the look on thier faces when you call them hipsters...then que them desperatley trying to prove their NON-Fred status:D

Oh ye OP, the clothes are expensive too. Temple bar has a fixie shop, and urban outfitters...all ya need in one place.

petethedrummer

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

One guy had what looked like a black allez frame with a white tri spoke wheel, running it fixed. He was also kitted out in bright white sneakers and tight black jeans.

So you don't conform to any fashions? I hope you'll be out in black shoes , black socks and an ALDI jersey on the next boards spin.

Anyways, I prefer the hipster look to any other fashion that has these shores in my lifetime. Its certainly the first fashion to include a bicycle.

DirkVoodoo

petethedrummer wrote: »

So you don't conform to any fashions? I hope you'll be out in black shoes , black socks and an ALDI jersey on the next boards spin.

You should see me when I commute, total Fred. I like to think it's my "Clark Kent" look, I'm really super euro underneath.

gamgsam

Hello, I had to get a lock cut in ucd at the start of the year after someone made a poor attempt of picking my lock. Anyway, after talking to the security guard for a while he mentioned that there was a collection of abandoned bikes, which had been left over the summer on the campus and had to be cut off. I went up there with his blessing ( I know its still not legit) and sorted out some nice parts for bikes that I have at home.

Theres some perfect fixie frames there too. Probly gone now, but still worth a try. Im heading up for a mud guard pretty soon so if I see any sound frames ill let you know.

Although it is stealing, the owners compromised their ownership by disobeying the rules ie locking the bike for too long in one spot.

flickerx

LastGasp wrote: »

I imagine the best starting point is getting the wheel sorted so you can see how it lines up with the BB and then decide what width bracket would be needed?

Yep, thats precisely the best plan of action.

City Cycles in Blackhall Place currently sell the cheapest rear fixed wheels in town (and it comes with a lockring and 16t sprocket) (man, how many times have I typed that sentence in the last month? I should really get this shop to sponsor me), they're decent starter wheels.

As for spacers, I generally find that if you have a steel frame, the metal is malleable to accomodate the width of the hub that you have (I wouldnt be trying this with another other material frame!). To do this "cold setting", you take your mark one type arm and leg (it doesnt have to be a Park Tool arm and leg, just your own ones will do) and push or pull the stays a bit until the desired spacing is achieved. I think Sheldon has something on it... yes, he does (of course he does)
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

UppThaDubs

Ec101

Thanks for that website!we're gonna check it out!

Thanks again!

flickerx

UppThaDubs wrote: »

Ec101

Thanks for that website!we're gonna check it out!

Thanks again!

Rothar dont have any road bike frames.
Well, they didnt last Thursday, anyway, when I was in there.

I think their buzz is more cheap MTB commuters, afaik they dont sell anything over 100 euro or so.

UppThaDubs

flickerx wrote: »

Rothar dont have any road bike frames.
Well, they didnt last Thursday, anyway, when I was in there.

I think their buzz is more cheap MTB commuters, afaik they dont sell anything over 100 euro or so.

but could i go up there and ask if they do have any...?
and if they do would they give one to me...?

btw where are they situated in dublin..?

Convict

Hate to say this but: Use The Search Function. Both here and Google - for instance Google will give you back www.rothar.ie/
But - frighteningly - it will also tell you Rothar is on the Northside.

blorg

Any traditional road bike frames are now quickly snapped up by hipsters, they are in short supply and prices are bid up.

Off topic, the other night I saw two fixed gear riders in Terenure with COMICALLY narrow handlebars- nearly as small as the fixed gear rider in Performance.

scottreynolds

Convict wrote: »

Hate to say this but: Use The Search Function.

of course you know it hasn't been working for the past 36 hours

blorg

scottreynolds wrote: »

of course you know it hasn't been working for the past 36 hours

Adding "site:boards.ie" (without the quotes) in Google is quite effective. They don't seem to catch 100% though.

Convict

What Google?

blorg

Convict wrote: »

What Google?

http://tinyurl.com/5wjfnt

penexpers

blorg wrote: »

Any traditional road bike frames are now quickly snapped up by hipsters, they are in short supply and prices are bid up.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pistadex

jack01986

gamgsam wrote: »

Anyway, after talking to the security guard for a while he mentioned that there was a collection of abandoned bikes, which had been left over the summer on the campus and had to be cut off.

You woudlnt have any clues to whereabouts this is on campus by anychance?

Im in the same boat, but went about a few different shops and called a load of places as well eventually found an old frame they were gonna throw it out so got it for free. Managed to find another full bike as well for about 50 euro. Good luck.

LastGasp

Hi Fixie Experts, looking to get Sprocket, Chain and Chainring for my project. I see 16 tooth Shimano 1/8" Sprocket and Chain on SJS Cycles website. Is there a preference for Steel or Alloy Sprockets ?

Also, assuming I get the right bolt diameter for my bike which I think is 130mm, can someone tell me are there specific Chainrings that match the 1/8" Chain, or are the standard road ones suitable ? Thanks, LastGasp.

niceonetom

The only reason to opt for alu over steel for cogs is obsessional weight weenyism. Steel will last much longer.

I use one of these on my 130BCD spider. It's done many thousands of kms without issue.

flickerx

LastGasp wrote: »

Also, assuming I get the right bolt diameter for my bike which I think is 130mm, can someone tell me are there specific Chainrings that match the 1/8" Chain, or are the standard road ones suitable ? Thanks, LastGasp.

You can use standard road ones if you want to.
Most road chainrings are 3/32", but if you're using a 1/8" chain, that'll work fine.