MTB Frame

Hi, new here, this is my first post and just wanted a bit of advice. I recently acquired a MTB which was pretty rough, had to saw off the chain etc. Can I build a decent single/fixed ride from it, or am I best to just clean the frame and forks up and sell it? I already ride my MTB with slicks daily, but want something a bit sportier for the daily commute? Currently searching for a frame - think I need a 54cm frame, i'm 5'10". Any thoughts on this much appreciated.

What sort of quality is the frame? Horizontal drop outs? Lugger frame? Tiged frame , Miged frame?

If the frame it's sefl is of ok quality I think it could make a good fixed wheel. IF it has verticle drop outs take it to a frame builder and get some trackends put init. Sick 700cc wheels on it and you will have a nice high b.b. YOu will have to fiddle around to get a correct front brake but other than that you shoul be fine. I have seen some bike converted like this, but of course you need a bike that is worth while putting the effort into in the first place.

I found this site which gives me the year and spec of the bike, only frame and forks are usable - http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trekpromoa.htm#pg7 It has a few scratched, but otherwise, very clean. Do want to put 700cc wheels on. Can anyone recommend a frame builder to put trackends put in? I'm based in East London and work in the West End. Thanks for all comments so far.

If you ride with 26" wheels, u will need a bigger gear ratio to ride fixed/singlespeed in order to have a decent urban top speed.... however the bigger the ratio the harder to skid and do stuff with your rear wheel.... which is the best thing about riding fixed.... without that control, or ability to skid you may as well be riding any old bike that you just can't stop pedaling on! Also, if it has vertical drop-outs just don't bother

jonaent (Jon) If you ride with 26" wheels, u will need a bigger gear ratio to ride fixed/singlespeed in order to have a decent urban top speed.... however the bigger the ratio the harder to skid and do stuff with your rear wheel.... which is the best thing about riding fixed.... without that control, or ability to skid you may as well be riding any old bike that you just can't stop pedaling on! Also, if it has vertical drop-outs just don't bother

Yeah a bigger ratio to get the same no of gear inches but the skidding on say 70" should be just as easy on a 26" or a 700cc wheeled bike.

tomiskinky I found this site which gives me the year and spec of the bike, only frame and forks are usable - http://www.vintage-trek.com/Trekpromoa.htm#pg7 It has a few scratched, but otherwise, very clean. Do want to put 700cc wheels on. Can anyone recommend a frame builder to put trackends put in? I'm based in East London and work in the West End. Thanks for all comments so far.

SO your bike is the 950 ? I expect it is ok. So does it have verticle of horzontal drop outs?

Yes, it's a 950 with vertical drop outs, also got my eye on another frame, which if I get it, means I may just put new bearings in the headset of this and stick it on ebay.

You can go single speed with vertical drop outs, you just need to buy a (cheap) chain tensioner.

Use an old derailleur as a tensioner - cheaper!

BTW - theres a pair of SS mtb wheels DMR/mavic on ebay.co.uk for £60 buy it now
U know you want to!

Also one can file dropouts a tiny bit OR find a 'magic gear' to go fixed with vert dropouts.

The wheels look decent - want to wait and see if I get the other frame before I decide what to do with the Trek Frame, but after all the help on here, I now have options. Do I need specific wheels, or can I use my current 26" hack wheels which I use instead of my expensive ones for the commute, and just use a singlespeed converter kit on the hub?

Use the hack wheels and convertor I did for a couple of months- if you really want to DIY it & can be arsed then disasemble a cassette to get the cog you want / buy a Shimano DX cog and use cassette spacers (from your unfriendly local bike shops' discarded cassettes?) to space it out and get the right chainline - lots of info on the web..

Offer! - I actually have a 26" rearwheel done as above with a DX cog + well-used Schwalbe City Jet tyre on it + used chen-shin cheapo slick spare + spare new tube - £10 if you can collect from Shepherds Bush / HSmith (weekends only).. No worries if you reject me and want to do it yourself - I UNDERSTAND. ;-)

Kind offer indeed, but as I have a set of wheels, i'll just use those me thinks, might build up the Trek frame and if I get the Harry Hall, i'll slowly build that as funds develop? I'll be asking more questions as the build goes on, so thanks for everything so far.

I used to have a Harry Hall. Nice frames.