84 Lotus Sprint
12-23-20, 10:44 AM
#1
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84 Lotus Sprint
This is my first post in FG/SS, normally I post in classic and vintage. This bike crosses over between both. It's a 1984 Lotus Sprint, sold originally as a casual fixed gear made for the streets. It has a plain gauge 4130 frame and fairly pedestrian parts, including a flip flop rear hub. It came drilled for brakes from the factory. I think it's pretty cool, and it's my size. I am going to strip it down and rebuild it completely. I am looking forward to riding fixed for the first time.
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12-23-20, 11:04 AM
#2
Old and rusty
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Welcome and enjoy.
give it a few miles before you give up, I was a little apprehensive at first, but once I got over the weirdness of riding fixed I find it much more fun.
keep your brakes, at least to start. My first fixed gear build did not have brakes and that steepened the learning curve, but probably made me entertaining to watch. Once I put a front brake on, I got a lot more brave as far as putting on the speed, or riding where there were obstacles or lots of maneuvering necessary to keep me out of the canals, or off the trees.
give it a few miles before you give up, I was a little apprehensive at first, but once I got over the weirdness of riding fixed I find it much more fun.
keep your brakes, at least to start. My first fixed gear build did not have brakes and that steepened the learning curve, but probably made me entertaining to watch. Once I put a front brake on, I got a lot more brave as far as putting on the speed, or riding where there were obstacles or lots of maneuvering necessary to keep me out of the canals, or off the trees.
12-23-20, 11:16 AM
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Welcome to the club! I own several fixed-gear bikes but one of my favorites is still my converted Miyata 312. It is just perfect for me in every way. Do I wish it had track fork ends? Yes. Does it really matter? No.
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12-23-20, 11:35 AM
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Nice bike, I love Miyatas. What is the advantage of track ends? I get the need for horizontal movement to tension the chain. Classic road horizontal dropouts provide that. What is the other difference?
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12-23-20, 02:05 PM
#6
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Actually, (semi) horizontal dropouts are better for road use, because they are angled the same as the rear brake, so you don’t have to re-adjust the brake pads everytime you move the rear wheel in the dropout. It also makes it easier to remove the rear wheel, especially if you have a rear fender. The advantage of track ends is that they are longer than road horizontal dropouts, allowing a wider range of gear changes on the track without having to add or remove links from the chain.
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12-23-20, 02:50 PM
#7
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Actually, (semi) horizontal dropouts are better for road use, because they are angled the same as the rear brake, so you don’t have to re-adjust the brake pads everytime you move the rear wheel in the dropout. It also makes it easier to remove the rear wheel, especially if you have a rear fender. The advantage of track ends is that they are longer than road horizontal dropouts, allowing a wider range of gear changes on the track without having to add or remove links from the chain.
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|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
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|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
"(@)'(@)"""''"**|(@)(@)*****''(@)
|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
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12-24-20, 08:53 AM
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Actually, (semi) horizontal dropouts are better for road use, because they are angled the same as the rear brake, so you don’t have to re-adjust the brake pads everytime you move the rear wheel in the dropout. It also makes it easier to remove the rear wheel, especially if you have a rear fender. The advantage of track ends is that they are longer than road horizontal dropouts, allowing a wider range of gear changes on the track without having to add or remove links from the chain.
12-27-20, 11:30 PM
#10
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I started the cleanup today. I stripped the bike down to a bare frame. Now to slowly clean and reassemble.
Last edited by mkeller234; 12-28-20 at 10:49 AM.
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12-28-20, 11:29 AM
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Enjoy your build! Nothing like fresh grease and a tight ride.
12-28-20, 11:39 AM
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what is the intended purpose of that handlebar? track racing? the reach on it is massive!
12-28-20, 12:48 PM
#13
^that guy^
Nice bike.. do you plan on keeping the drop bar on it or going for something upright? Something like the VO Milan would look good
12-28-20, 01:11 PM
#14
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a) it’s a cheap bar
b) it had the right “cool” look.
I’m not so certain that I’ll enjoy them. On top of being deep, they are really narrow and the tops aren’t as functional as road bars. I’ll keep them for now and use them as is since I’m not even sure how often or long I’ll ride fixed. If I find myself wanting to take longer rides, I’ll probably change the bars and gearing.
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12-28-20, 01:14 PM
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I will rebuild it as is and make functional swaps as I go. I have a handful of bars I could swap out. I like traditional road bars and use the drops often enough. I would really miss drops in a headwind.
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|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
|......GO.BROWNS........| ||'|";, ___.
|_..._..._______===|=||_|__|..., ] -
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12-28-20, 06:21 PM
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Good to see some of the C&V folks coming over to the Single Speed and Fixed Gear side of things. You will have fun!
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12-31-20, 10:31 AM
#17
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Ok, I’ve got it all back together for now. I did this very cheap, because I expect to make changes. If I enjoy it enough, I will probably play with gearing and the cockpit. For those reasons, I kept the old chain and brake cables.
I found some old continental tires that seem to still have some life in them. I put some MKS platforms pedals on, just need to install some clips and straps before I ride.
I found some old continental tires that seem to still have some life in them. I put some MKS platforms pedals on, just need to install some clips and straps before I ride.
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12-31-20, 10:42 AM
#18
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NICE!
good looking bike.
I hope you enjoy it!
good looking bike.
I hope you enjoy it!
12-31-20, 11:22 AM
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Ok, I’ve got it all back together for now. I did this very cheap, because I expect to make changes. If I enjoy it enough, I will probably play with gearing and the cockpit. For those reasons, I kept the old chain and brake cables.
I found some old continental tires that seem to still have some life in them. I put some MKS platforms pedals on, just need to install some clips and straps before I ride.
I found some old continental tires that seem to still have some life in them. I put some MKS platforms pedals on, just need to install some clips and straps before I ride.
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