Going fixed wheel on my Geoff Roberts - help please!

Hi all,
I bought a Geoff Roberts 531 Reynold at the beginning of year which has been a lovely ride (thanks to anyone who helped me). In that time I've got a new chain, back wheel, botranger road tires front & rear, had to put a Shimano 105 headset. I also done the London-Brighton on this baby this year..silly fool that I am:-)

It's lovely bike but prompted by couple motives (code for I'm hooked!) I want to take it to the next level without bankrupting myself.
Firstly, being an old classic frame it's got chipped paint work noticeably on the underside of the frame. There's no rust but Brixton cycle guys recommended a new paint job to prevent rust.
Secondly, as the front bars are too low and make for uncomfortable riding as I nearly always grip at the top. This has affected my back so got sort this as a priority.
Thirdly, I want to go fixed wheel now and will probably pick up another road bike for longer mileage rides such as charity cycles & use the Geoff Roberts for commuting in LDN town. I wanna maintain the classic 70's look with some modernist styling touches

So I need advise on:
Handlebars - risers or drops
Brakes - got Tiagra front/rear brakes, do I need to change..?If so recommendations
Seat - maybe
Paint job - whose recommended?
Wheels - lovely Mavica's on there..may just leave...kinda depends of paint job i suppose
Suppliers - was thinking of heading down to Fixed Gear London boys and seeing what they can do for me. Am I just better off taking on the challenge myself (the non-mechanic that I am). Am I better off picking up the parts & getting someone to fit if I'm not confi/petent?

Has anyone taking on a similar jobbie and got some lovely pictures for me to gaze jealously at?

Any help would be appreciated.

Baggy

4 Attachments

www.fixedgeargallery.com for the prons.

have a butchers at some on there and work out the parts you want then ebay like fiend. :)

welcome.

Try a few different types of each part, without spending too much. My bianchi started off with Nitto bullhorns, now has a flat bar and has changed the whole look of it. I may even go for drops unsure yet? Main thing is get it roadworthy and safe then you can perfect it as you go along. Get riding thats the main thing.

why do you need to change anything at all to fo with a fixed wheel?

Paint looks fine, would only worry about rust if its on the BB etc, just touch it up.

The main concern is that the bike may not be the right size for you, if you cant reach your drops even with such a short stem, you can either;

live with keeping to the tops as you have been.

Change to a flat/bullhorn handlbar.

Change to a french style dove/moustache bar to bring the whole steering higher.

Or sell up and find a different frame.

If your planning to put a fair bit of time/effort/money into a bike, its a good idea to have a frame which is the right size as you unlikeley to see that money again.

God I miss pj.

Baggy, before you buy some new bars try moving your levers down the bar so the flat part of the hoods leads directly onto the flat of the bars.
Yours look far too high up.

yeah had few people have commented that I should get some nail varnish paint & touch up the chips..don't know if thats old wives tales but would be far cheaper than a new paint job!
the frames size is fine for big old 6'5 self but I never ride down in the drop position so it's bothersome changing hands to brake when I ride in town as much as I do (every day). hence thinking the flat/bullhorn
what do french style dove/moustache look like fanny pack??

P!MP that's what I'm talking about a simple stylish touch that changes the look...i was also considering chrome or gold drops (just an idea, don't shoot me!)

Baggy

what's the best shop in London to check out a good range of bars or it best to ebay (what are the brands to search for?)..

if your bike fitted better, you would find a use for the drops. They are a good thing to have, if you can live without. Change the bars why not.

But its better to have the option of high tops, foward hoods, and low drops.

Hubjub has the full range of Nitto bars which should give you an idea of what each type looks like;

http://www.hubjub.co.uk/nitto/nitto.htm

You can get straight 26mm Nittos from Panet-X; then all you need is a pair of levers (Cane Creek cross tops or something similar) and a pair of decent wire cutters to trim your cables.

loving those Mod177AA noodle bar and the B-123AA i Nitto bars

what's ordering from them direct like, are they good?

also I need a taller quill...that **Technomic Deluxe

showing my ignorance but '** making it ideally suited for raising the bars on any frame with a threaded fork'...how do I find out if I've got a threaded fork?

also I need a taller quill...that **Technomic Deluxe

showing my ignorance but '** making it ideally suited for raising the bars on any frame with a threaded fork'...how do I find out if I've got a threaded fork?

You have a threaded fork, most older bikes do.

You can tell this because the stem slides into the fork without anything visibly securing it. Unlike a more modern clamp on stem.

In the same way tubular tyres are known as 'sew-ups' many a old school mechanic will refer to a threaded fork as a 'sew-on'

Basically inside the headtube of your frame there is a weave of carefully knitted threads securing the headset, fork & stem together.

loving those Mod177AA noodle bar and the B-123AA i Nitto bars

what's ordering from them direct like, are they good?

Very. Quick delivery and a hand written note from Will thanking you for your custom.

two very different handlebars!

be careful with deep drop track bars, they can be unecessarily hard work if you're not riding on the track.

thanks both...whose good on the seat front?

really liking what's been done on this bike
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/may/3/LenK.htm#top

what are those chrome bars? and the seat??

Also like what's been done on this bad boy..
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/july/1/AlexKezha.htm

Am trying to find out what model the chrome wheels and seat post? Any ideas?

Neither the post or the rims are chromed.

Aluminium is rarely chromed as copper/binding material must be added to make it work.

The post looks like a generic not too special micro adjust, get a system x alloy polished from wiggle £8.99

Rims look like any common deep section ones, possibly DP18's, CXP33, velocity, rr 1.2 etc

All fairly common, and cost anywhere from £20 to £55 each.

The ones on the bike have machines brake surface, which is much easier to find. Weinmann DP18's are cheaper version of Rigida DP18's and sell for £15-£20 each

the paint job is hot - don't change it!