To Fixie or not to Fixie?

[gnat23]

Long story short: Before I was born, dad was really into cycling and he tried getting mom into it, so bought her a really nice bike. Mom never took to it, has had the bike in the garage for the last 30+ years. I finally asked about the bike, and asked if I could have it:


(That old thing? says mom. Please, take it!)

I originally had the idea of turning it into a fixie: horizontal dropouts, classic styling, and all. I cleaned out dozens of spiders that had given up their lives between the cranks and spokes, extracted what could have been sand or alien eggs from the fork, put new tires and tubes on her, touched up the gold paint detailing. I'm currently working on rescuing the leather saddle (Bim? never heard of it), getting some new handlebar tape, you know... projectbike!

But I had a softness of the heart when I was scrubbing it down. Maybe it was spending way too much time at Sheldon Brown's French-bikes pages, but I started to really respect this thing. The Stronglight cranks are super nice but have a threading size not normally found in nature. The spokes on the wheels are each tapped with a tiny fluer-de-lis. I've fallen in love with the Huret derailers... Just some wonderful details.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisma...7605004571944/

So now I don't know. I'm still restoring this thing as much as possible, but I dunno what the end result should be. I already have a nice roadbike, so it's not like I need another... I am intrigued by fixies and maybe trying track racing... but that derailer!

Any votes or things I haven't considered?

-- gnat! (I at least gave up the idea of painting it pink...!)

[smilingcat]

maybe I'm biased. (I'm old).

Don't turn it into something it's not. I love the details and CRAFTSMANSHIP of things old. You may find that old things work better than you expect.

The only time I would not follow this is that if it is broke and you can't fix it then by all means use something more up to date. And if you have to modify the frame to do so, then modify the frame.

And enjoy restoring the bike. I'm sure your father would greatly appreciate what you are doing.

-----added-----
Hey, that thing isn't that old!! It's from the '70s with center pull brake. sheesh. NOT OLD!! just went to fliker and saw all the photos. looks like it used skewers instead of buterfly bolts. NOT OLD!!

Smilingcat

[mimitabby]

oh what a cool bike! I am so glad your mother gave it to you.
a STELLA!
If it's not broke, don't fix it. That's a good rule of thumb.

I agree with old smiling cat. but i'm old too

[OakLeaf]

Oh sweet! Another old lady votes for leaving it "as is."

Gotta love those French threads! (and your hair - and your nerve for cleaning a greasy bicycle wearing pink jeans!)

[Smurfette]

it might not be such a bad thing to try turning it to a fixie. especially if you're new to it and want to get your feet wet, you already have this much of the bike for free. and if you end up not liking it, you'll still have the parts.

[SouthernBelle]

How would it would it go as a commuter?