ddtran46

Here are some quick pictures I took of my bike:




The thing that is kind of stopping me from converting it is because this bike frame is kinda beat up; paint chipping and stuff.
Also, I never heard of this company before but it does have shimano components on it.

I will get paid maybe next week so I still have a while to figure things out before making my decision.

carleton

Another thing to consider: Converting it won't automatically make it awesome.

Instead of talking about what you don't want (this bike), focus on what you do want.

If you could have any bike in the world (within reason of course) what would it be and why? If you don't immediately have a short list of bikes in your head, then you need to do more research before you start disassembling this one.

ddtran46

Thanks for the tip, carleton.

vw addict

I would just walk.

testertips

vertical dropouts make road conversions interesting... just keep that as a beater and start a fg/ss project. for a few hundred you'll have another bike

ddtran46

I would drive but my car is always thirsty for gas...

Damn rotary engines...

RenzSouljohnson

Carleton knows everything. I hear he's get extra brains in his quads.

prooftheory

At any rate your bike has exactly the right kind of dropouts for a good conversion.

ddtran46

Yeah it does.

sillygolem

This. It should have a multispeed freewheel, which means you can probably just swap it for an SS freewheel and shorten the chain to work with the inner chainring. Ride it a bit, and if you like it drop the cash on a wheel with a flip-flop hub. If not, bolt everything back on.

carleton

This.

andrizzle

+1

and

Leukybear 

OP your seatpost is backwards...

ddtran46

Really? lol

I guess the worker at my lbs told me how to put it on incorrectly..

uketastic

also, in converting you may need to get a new bottom bracket with a smaller spindle so your chain line is nice and straight then you'll also have to make sure your cranks will fit being closer into the bottom bracket

ddtran46

I was hoping to use the same crankset that is already on the bike to save some money..

carleton

I hope you understand that the conversion is all or nothing. If you strip the bike down (derailleurs and stuff) but for some unforseen reason, either technical or financial, the project stalls or fails, not only will you not have a fixed gear...but you won't have a road bike either. There are tons of failed fixed gear projects out there.

This is why people are suggesting that you just save up and buy a NEW $300 bike and save all of the questions, hassle, buying/borrowing tools, being without a bike for the days/weeks that the conversion is happening, etc...

You aren't the first guy to want to do this. Man, your bike isn't anything nice (no offense), I and a few others here are venturing to guess that you'd probably be happier on a new bike than taking the time and energy to make a conversion.

Understand that conversions were popular when:
A) Fixed gear bikes were expensive and sort of difficult to find.
and
B) Made from leftover bikes that, most times, weren't functioning. So, the conversion to a fixed gear gave them a new life.

But, being that:
A) COMPLETE fixed gear bikes are everywhere for CHEAP
and
B) Your bike is fine.

Why bother?

ddtran46

Yeah I understand.

Currently, I'm thinking about selling my bike and buying the Windsor "the hour" off bikes direct.

camashtorcal

Your bike is kind of a sad bike. Not because it's ugly which it is but because it's perfectly rideable and you obviously do, but you don't want people to see you riding it. It was there for you when you needed it and now you want to put it away for a new cheap one.

ddtran46

I cant afford to spend any more than 300....broke college student...

homebrewk

Look here:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/trackbikes.htm

ddtran46

I did look there and from what I have read, the windsor hour seems like a good buy for under $300

uketastic

I understand what you're saying here, but what I'm getting at is that you're bike probably has a bottom bracket with a wide enough spindle to compensate for multiple chainrings on the front. When getting a wheel set and putting a fixed cog on there just keeping it on one of the chainrings will cause your chain to be at an angle, for a fixed gear bike you want a straight chain line. Therefore, you will need to get a new bottom bracket with a narrow enough spindle to bring your crankset closer in to give you that straight chain line. And that's where I'm saying your cranks may not fit. Bringing them closer in may show that the frame can't support the chainrings that close in and they'll scrape thus causing you to either get new cranks or a smaller front chainring to make it all fit. However, your cranks may work just fine and you won't have to deal with that issue at all.

Trust me, I've built up multiple conversions in the past and I wrecked one of them, ultimately damaging the frame to where it couldn't be ridden any more, because I wasn't smart enough and didn't have a straight chain line. There's a lot more to think about than just getting new fixed wheels when converting.

ddtran46

Thanks for the input, uketastic.

I am going to save the trouble and just sell the bike on craigslist(already have one potential buyer) and cough up another 200 for a brand new fixed gear. This will save the trouble of everything.

Jaytron

Gears.