Fixed gear conversion

[betagirl]

Thanks. I stripped the old bike down today, and there isn't much in terms of salvagable parts. I kept the handlebars and fork. I painted the frame a lovely blue The bike had some old shimano components that weighed half a ton. The crank was a double. After I took everything off and just held the frame up, it was rather light. The wheels are old and rusty and weigh about as much as the frame does. I was going to check around on ebay to see what I could find. I think shimano will be the way to go. I even scrapped the brakes. I was pleasantly surprised that the frame is wide enough to support cyclocross tires. I sort of wish I took a "before" picture.

[DebW]

Thanks. I stripped the old bike down today, and there isn't much in terms of salvagable parts. I kept the handlebars and fork. I painted the frame a lovely blue The bike had some old shimano components that weighed half a ton. The crank was a double. After I took everything off and just held the frame up, it was rather light. The wheels are old and rusty and weigh about as much as the frame does.

Steel rims - they did weigh a ton. Probably steel hubs too. Shimano Lark or Eagle derailleurs? They were cr@p. Steel cottered crank, or the even worse steel one-piece crank?

[betagirl]

Deb I think you just outlined my parts

Steel 1 piece crank. I'd guess those rims are steel. Hubs, definitely steel. You can see why I need to replace a lot of stuff. I have a lead on a set of wheels through the local club. We'll see how that pans out.

[DebW]

Steel one-piece cranks used a different bottom bracket shell than three-piece cranks. The shell was a larger diameter and they had press-in cups facing outward. Sheldon claims the crank was very strong, but I can tell you they were not fun to adjust - they were so crude you really couldn't adjust the bearings, you just screwed it together and took out the play.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_n-o.html#opc (page down to One-piece Crank)
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/opc.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/opc.html#opc

There is an adapter to let you put a normal threaded bottom bracket in these old frames. That would be the way to go.

Did you save the seat post and clamp from this bike? 21.15 mm (13/16") is probably the size, so you can't use a modern post. If you need a longer post (you're probably taller than you were at 10), make sure you can find one before you invest in other things.

[betagirl]

Deb, you are correct with the seat post. And the larger shell. After chatting with the LBS, I decided that the frame was a bigger PITA than it's worth. Going to look at a Bianchi Pista today. I'm going to keep the old handlebars though. I'll put those on if anything. That way I'll have *some*nostalgia. But it looks like the frame is a bust. Thanks for your help!

[velogirl]

Hey, I've got a track bike for sale! Much easier, no?

[betagirl]

LOL velo, certainly is. Though I got that Pista from the guy in my club. But thanks!