It's 2018. Do you know where your fixed gear / SS conversions are?
04-07-18, 07:26 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
It's 2018. Do you know where your fixed gear / SS conversions are?
I confess I still really enjoy building these bikes and riding them all over Kansas City. Are there other C&Vers still riding conversions? Please post if you've got em.
My latest FG, an 88 Trek 400. Fender line is best I can do with 28mm Paselas.
My latest FG, an 88 Trek 400. Fender line is best I can do with 28mm Paselas.
04-07-18, 08:12 AM
#2
Old fart
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Still riding my Viscount S3X conversion:
04-07-18, 08:21 AM
#3
weapons-grade bolognium
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Battaglin Cromor
2010
Today - coverted it back in 2015 because I need a "hill bike" for the 2015 DD.
I do have a fixed/ss Kilo TT which I use for commuting.
2010
Today - coverted it back in 2015 because I need a "hill bike" for the 2015 DD.
I do have a fixed/ss Kilo TT which I use for commuting.
04-07-18, 08:55 AM
#4
weapons-grade bolognium
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No idea where any of these are now. Sold off the frames before the by bubble burst for $$$.
Palo Alto
Peugeot
1983 Trek 560
Palo Alto
Peugeot
1983 Trek 560
04-07-18, 10:26 AM
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04-07-18, 01:10 PM
#6
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Recently swapped out the bars and brake levers, just because I could, and reused some old red wrap I had in one of the bins until I decided whether or not I like the new cockpit. (I do. It's getting re-wrapped with cotton and shellac when I get around to it.)
Last edited by AZORCH; 04-07-18 at 01:14 PM.
04-07-18, 01:33 PM
#7
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I converted my C&V SS back to geared. Now has a nice French steel fork and quill stem, too. But pictured as it was.
Now ride a SS/FG Bike Forums IRO group buy from a few years back.
I still ride it some, but doing a local century fixed kind of cured me. Usually SS now when I pull it out.
Now ride a SS/FG Bike Forums IRO group buy from a few years back.
I still ride it some, but doing a local century fixed kind of cured me. Usually SS now when I pull it out.
Last edited by Ex Pres; 04-07-18 at 04:33 PM.
04-07-18, 01:45 PM
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Rode this for our coffee ride today.
My Serotta CSI.
Great for the local paths. Mostly flat as a pancake in town here.
Fun CSI! by gomango1849, on Flickr
and my Miyata Trail Runner.
This thing gets rebuilt every few years and I'm working on a ss monster cross version this weekend.
Mainly out of boredom.
DSCN2251 by gomango1849, on Flickr
My Serotta CSI.
Great for the local paths. Mostly flat as a pancake in town here.
Fun CSI! by gomango1849, on Flickrand my Miyata Trail Runner.
This thing gets rebuilt every few years and I'm working on a ss monster cross version this weekend.
Mainly out of boredom.
DSCN2251 by gomango1849, on Flickr
04-07-18, 03:35 PM
#9
feros ferio
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Sorry, not my thing -- I love my gears. (I am the guy who converted a Swedish Avanti track bike to a 4-speed freewheel.)
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
04-07-18, 03:43 PM
#10
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Yes, I still ride my FG, a 1988 Schwinn Paramount conversion.
P1060391 by NBend, on Flickr
Last fall when I began to consider selling a bike to fund a new touring bike, I asked my son which of my bikes he would want the most to be eventually handed down to him. He could have chosen a '74 Alex Singer, or my '37 Hobbs, or my '77 Bruce Gordon, or a mid 90's Merckx MX Leader that was autographed by Eddy but to my surprise he said he'd want my pink Paramount. He doesn't have it yet...but I will hand it over to him eventually. (I sold the Merckx to a friend)
P1060391 by NBend, on FlickrLast fall when I began to consider selling a bike to fund a new touring bike, I asked my son which of my bikes he would want the most to be eventually handed down to him. He could have chosen a '74 Alex Singer, or my '37 Hobbs, or my '77 Bruce Gordon, or a mid 90's Merckx MX Leader that was autographed by Eddy but to my surprise he said he'd want my pink Paramount. He doesn't have it yet...but I will hand it over to him eventually. (I sold the Merckx to a friend)
Last edited by northbend; 04-07-18 at 03:47 PM.
04-07-18, 04:19 PM
#11
52psi
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Here's my '78 Schwinn Volare. Most everything here is stock Dura-Ace or SR, with the only notable exception being the aero Suntour brake levers. Easily my favorite bike. 
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Last edited by Fahrenheit531; 04-07-18 at 04:25 PM.
04-07-18, 04:29 PM
#12
Senior Member
Yes I know, they're in my house:
and in the snow:
and in the desert:
Still my favorite ride:
All this and my partner wants me to build another fixed cuz I sold the one she liked.
and in the snow:
and in the desert:
Still my favorite ride:
All this and my partner wants me to build another fixed cuz I sold the one she liked.
04-07-18, 04:31 PM
#13
working on my sandal tan
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We're starting to see more sun, but the studs are staying on until the temperatures are reliably over the freezing point:
I built this bike up as a Sheldon Brown-inspired lark, and it became my favorite for commuting and club rides. I currently have 9400 miles on it. The rear wheel is the first one I ever built, the front is the most recent, with a Sanyo/Panasonic dyno hub.
I built this bike up as a Sheldon Brown-inspired lark, and it became my favorite for commuting and club rides. I currently have 9400 miles on it. The rear wheel is the first one I ever built, the front is the most recent, with a Sanyo/Panasonic dyno hub.
04-07-18, 04:53 PM
#14
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We're starting to see more sun, but the studs are staying on until the temperatures are reliably over the freezing point:
I built this bike up as a Sheldon Brown-inspired lark, and it became my favorite for commuting and club rides. I currently have 9400 miles on it. The rear wheel is the first one I ever built, the front is the most recent, with a Sanyo/Panasonic dyno hub.
I built this bike up as a Sheldon Brown-inspired lark, and it became my favorite for commuting and club rides. I currently have 9400 miles on it. The rear wheel is the first one I ever built, the front is the most recent, with a Sanyo/Panasonic dyno hub.
04-07-18, 10:03 PM
#15
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Starting with a scrapped early '70s Centurion Le Mans 10 speed, this is the only conversion I've done... There was a detailed thread about the build last year, and it's gone through a couple saddles and handlebar set ups to get where it is now, which is essentially how I originally planned the build to go. I ride it fixed and haven't put a freewheel on the rear hub yet. It's also the last time I'll do a rattle can paint job. The paint never lasts and I have no excuse for not using automotive paint because I have access to the proper facilities.
A couple little leather bags to make for it and I'll call it a wrap!
The first mock-up:
And its current state:
A couple little leather bags to make for it and I'll call it a wrap!
The first mock-up:
And its current state:
04-08-18, 01:40 AM
#16
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It's just a lowly SuperCourse, but it does get ridden. People are always asking about my home made fenders. 
Flip/flop hub. I've ridden it exactly once on the freewheel side.
Flip/flop hub. I've ridden it exactly once on the freewheel side.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 04-08-18 at 01:43 AM.
04-08-18, 04:06 AM
#17
Senior Member
My 1967 Carlton Flyer.
Flyer_in_Lund_trädgård_01.jpg
Today she wears PB Cascadia fenders in silver. Reynolds 531. Wheels are some modern Dimension and Campy hubs laced to nice Alex rims that I moved from another bike when I bought the frame. I happened onto the cockpit and brake levers at separate bikeswaps around the time I bought it. The Campy headset and seatpost came from a bike-coop. I originally tried campy sidepull brakes, but bought a nice pair of Paul's Racer centerpulls that cost about as much as the rest of the bike... Cheap IRO crankset that I've had for years, which I may replace with something that has more vintage appeal. Pedals are MKS GR-9 that I got as a present from my parents for my birthday 14 years ago this month. It's a nice, smooth ride on the Conti GP 4-seasons, and all the miles seem to disappear beneath me.
My only other FG/SS is a Canadian Peugeot from the mid 1980s. HLE tubing and a harsh ride with the steel moustache bars I was trying out when I built it some 11 years ago. It's in my parents' garage in the USA, and I haven't ridden it in years. I usually opt for my Ross MTB when I'm there.
Flyer_in_Lund_trädgård_01.jpg
Today she wears PB Cascadia fenders in silver. Reynolds 531. Wheels are some modern Dimension and Campy hubs laced to nice Alex rims that I moved from another bike when I bought the frame. I happened onto the cockpit and brake levers at separate bikeswaps around the time I bought it. The Campy headset and seatpost came from a bike-coop. I originally tried campy sidepull brakes, but bought a nice pair of Paul's Racer centerpulls that cost about as much as the rest of the bike... Cheap IRO crankset that I've had for years, which I may replace with something that has more vintage appeal. Pedals are MKS GR-9 that I got as a present from my parents for my birthday 14 years ago this month. It's a nice, smooth ride on the Conti GP 4-seasons, and all the miles seem to disappear beneath me.
My only other FG/SS is a Canadian Peugeot from the mid 1980s. HLE tubing and a harsh ride with the steel moustache bars I was trying out when I built it some 11 years ago. It's in my parents' garage in the USA, and I haven't ridden it in years. I usually opt for my Ross MTB when I'm there.
04-08-18, 05:29 AM
#18
If I own it, I ride it
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This is my only SS/Fixed. Has a flip/flop rear. Had another setup as such, but it now has gears and is on my trainer in the basement.
Lejeune Fixed res_04 by L Travers, on Flickr
Lejeune Fixed res_04 by L Travers, on Flickr
04-08-18, 07:07 AM
#19
Banned.
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Every time I built one, I pretty much sold it before or as soon as it was done. I've only been able to ride one, and I loved it. There was a time when I could build one for $100, ask $250, and some college student would fork over $200-$225. I haven't ventured into that market in years (no more frames and parts lying around), but I see very few for sale.
04-08-18, 07:18 AM
#20
~>~
Converted to FG in '95, still ridden on a annual FG century.
-Bandera
-Bandera
Last edited by Bandera; 04-08-18 at 07:22 AM.
04-08-18, 07:20 AM
#21
weapons-grade bolognium
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Every time I built one, I pretty much sold it before or as soon as it was done. I've only been able to ride one, and I loved it. There was a time when I could build one for $100, ask $250, and some college student would fork over $200-$225. I haven't ventured into that market in years (no more frames and parts lying around), but I see very few for sale.
Very popular with highschool and middleschool kids here in Chicago. Great to see bunches of them out on bikes.
04-08-18, 08:29 AM
#22
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I have two conversions currently in the fleet:
A 70s St. Etienne road bike converted to a 650B single-speed porteur:
A '73 Sears Ted Williams Free Spirit (built by Puch), one of the all Reynolds 531 ones--this has an SRAM 2-speed automatic shifting hub:
A 70s St. Etienne road bike converted to a 650B single-speed porteur:
A '73 Sears Ted Williams Free Spirit (built by Puch), one of the all Reynolds 531 ones--this has an SRAM 2-speed automatic shifting hub:
04-08-18, 08:36 AM
#23
52psi
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Whoa. You made those? Is there a "how to" somewhere?
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
04-08-18, 08:37 AM
#24
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Dragging these out again.
This one
And that one...
This one
And that one...
04-08-18, 09:04 AM
#25
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In 2008 I found a free Azuki 10 speed on CL (no saddle) and build a single speed out of it, I am not cool enough for a fixie. and then commuted on it for about 6 months including a 6% grade on the way home.
My knees finally convinced me that gears were a thing. I sold it not much later. This was one of my first rebuilds, I even painted it, had a local shop dish the wheel, kind of surprising I got a functional bike out this project as I realize now I had no idea what I was doing
[IMG]
Single speed by Ryan Surface, on Flickr[/IMG]
My knees finally convinced me that gears were a thing. I sold it not much later. This was one of my first rebuilds, I even painted it, had a local shop dish the wheel, kind of surprising I got a functional bike out this project as I realize now I had no idea what I was doing
[IMG]
Single speed by Ryan Surface, on Flickr[/IMG]