Conversion plan

Hello folks,

I'm planning a conversion of my rather knackered Kalkahoff racer to fixed gear or possibly a single speed followed by fixed.

Bike: www.photosinthedark.com/Personal/Canal

It was my fathers originally, so there is sentimentality connected.

It's got a shimano UG style freewheel hub at the back.

(i'm pretty sure this is a screw on variety... if so then i'll be doing the following)

I'm thinking I can remove this (heading to bike shop as I have no tool for the job)

Then spin on a single speed BMX cog, or a fixed with bottom bracket lock ring (I have a spare)

... from here i'm not sure if I'll need to re-dish the wheel or not, or whether the above will work!

Any recommendations much appreciated!

Cheers

Toby

ooo thats nice seems a shame to convert...:(

Really? why so... I started looking into it when my chainring got badly buckled, but I managed to cannibalize a new one from my mothers bike (ladies version bought at the same time and rusting in the garden back home), I replaced the bottom bracket and rear wheel... it's running better but thought it would be a good conversion project...

Well, from more research, I might be best purchasing a whole wheel flip flop hub assembly, as I don't have the kit to put together from scratch... Then as long as my cranks aren't too long (175mm) then I shouldn't need anything else but a chain. But where does one get a wheel from?

Cheers

i hear tell that there are these places called bike shops, and in such places, they do sell, so they told I, the whole wheel.

i hear tell that there are these places called bike shops, and in such places, they do sell, so they told I, the whole wheel.

Bullshit.

shut up you racist. you're a racist. that's what you are.

i hear tell that there are these places called bike shops, and in such places, they do sell, so they told I, the whole wheel.

butterrrr

Ah, but a wheel in a bikeshop is likely to cost me well over the value of my bike, which I approximate to be roughly £10, half of which is on inner tubes and break cables.

Racists, always a glib answer.

I'm in Notts, should I be looking for a second hand bike shop..

Ah, but a wheel in a bikeshop is likely to cost me well over the value of my bike, which I approximate to be roughly £10, half of which is on inner tubes and break cables.

Racists, always a glib answer.

I'm in Notts, should I be looking for a second hand bike shop..

it's going to be hard to get a cheap fixed rear wheel, but if you look hard, or source the parts your self then get someone to build it, then it might be sort of under £50...

Aye, thats what I was afraid of.. for about £100 you can get a fixed wheel bike complete of ebay, might just get hold of one and cannibalise some bits... If I check sizes shouldn't be a problem..

Aye, thats what I was afraid of.. for about £100 you can get a piece of total unmitigated shite complete off ebay..

i'd be careful. plus, if you get a rear wheel, or even a wheelset for £100 or so (sjscycles) then you'll have the wheelset for the next build. it's a worthy expense.

Thats true. Might be better to get something higher quality. Really I'm trying to sort something on the cheap then if it works for my cycling style (i've not had many oppertunites to try fixed gear bikes) then i'll put something better together if it does!

exactly - gradually replace parts as and when, then finally get lovely new frame and put all parts on new frame.

The 100 quid fixed bikes on ebay tend to have suicide hubs.

and shit brakes. and badly dished wheels. and shit frames. and ride like turds.

I would personally leave that bike exactly as it is, a sentimental twee 5 speed with cotter cranks and all!

One of the principles/philosophies of the fixed gear/SS mentality is the idea of no fuss.

Gears usually cost a lot , get worn out and stop working regularly.

These old five speeds with non-index shifters are wholesome reliable simple bikes.

Which have the same jump on & go factor as well as retro lovability as popular steel track bikes etc ..

It rideable as is right? leave it be. It looks well spindly, far from a robust racey street bike. so just keep it as a relaxed sentimental rider.

And find another sportier frame at a car boot/jumble etc to use as a base for your new fixed build.

Itll only cost you £10 at the most, (less than a tyre) and is well worth the opportunity to have a separate fixed gear project to build up.

had a look at your site toby, nice photos.
why oh why do the rapture always bring a fucking cowbell to your houseparty?!
what camera do you use?

Very hard to keep them out to be honest, had to throw Shitdisco out of my girlfriends bedroom for snoting coke off her desk. Tisk. I use a Canon 350D, 30mm F1.4 Sigma, 50mm F1.4 Canon, 430ex flash. and two manual focus pentax (with adaptor) 50mm F1.7, 85mm F2. My geeky love of the functional yet asthetic will never end.

If I went for a wheel, would something like the following be suitable?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAVIC-OPEN-SPORT-36H-NOVATEC-SEALED-TRACK-WHEEL-FIXED_W0QQitemZ220245657823QQihZ012QQcategoryZ58089QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I think it's relativly overpriced, then thats ebay I suppose. I've watched a few wheel building vids online, I could make one up from scratch..

ooo thats nice seems a shame to convert...:(

Nah! Don't be swayed but the arty black & white shot - DO IT!! TEAR IT TO BITS!!

Well, luckily I have a spare wheel of the same type to play with...

I've removed the threaded freewheel from the back. I've put it back on the bike and it looks like the thread lines up with the chainline... now must I re-dish the wheel before continuing...

If not, what should I be looking for...

Either a fixed gear, i've heard suicide hub mentioned before, this seems to be the route... if i've still got a front brake, is it a big issue? locktite and a bottom bracket lock ring not up to it?

OR a singlespeed screw on (BMX type?) ebay?

I can post a snap of the chainline...

Cheers

Toby

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7805

Something like that? or will it require different chain type..

Toby, random question - you're not from Sheffield are you?

Nope. Nottingham. But close. Why?