What would you recommend to turn this into a fixie?

OK, am going to get a new geared bike via cyclescheme so I will be turning the old beast into a fixie.

What do I have: Concorde build up with a mix of Campagnolo Mirage and Avanti, bought around 1995. The frame spacing is 130mm.

What would you recommend to spend on wheels (I've seen Wilkinson wheels for a reasonable price <£100).
Would the crank at the front work or should I replace it with a new one including a BB.

I've attached a pic of the rear of the frame to show the drop outs - are these ok for a fixie?

Just after some advice for this particular frame. Hence the pics.

Thanks,
Dennis

2 Attachments

What kind of hub is on the rear wheel? It might be possible to simply use the existing wheels: if it is an older screw-on block the wheel could be re-spaced and re-dished and you could just put a sprocket on the back.

Re the chainset, if it is not knackered it might be worth trying out the ?42 ring on the outside of the spider, see if that gives a useful chainline at the front.

Those particular pix are not so helpful :-)

Still it looks fine to set fixed. The dropouts have some space, although you might need a half link depending on the gearing.

Personally I would get a rear wheel for now so you can see how you take to riding fixed. There's plenty on sale here usually. Or Varno seems to be knocking out good wheelsets at good prices (from what i hear).

If the cranks are a useful bcd then you might be better off just getting a track ring (i run TA specialites which are great).

You can easily re-space the back to 120 by 'cold setting' it, or run a 130 spaced rear.

Should be plain sailing from there if your chainline is good. If it isn't consider a Miche bb as they can be adjusted to get a good line. People bitch about them but i had no problems and they are cheap.

Good luck!

The rear wheel is a rigida rim with a campag avanti hub with 8-speed cassette. Is it possible to use that wheel? Is it as easy as taking the casette off and replace with a sprocket (and re-space and re-dish)?

I do think I would like a flip flop set up first to get used to single speed work.

I will have a look in the classifieds for a rear wheel. Thinking of 48T in the front and something like 18/16 for the flip flop. Or anyhing else that gets to that combo.

Feel free to send info to me...

What are good wheels to begin with?

Cheers
Dennis

Sorry, I now see that the Avanti is a cassette hub rather than a screw-on, so, no you'll not be able to easily change it to fixed - you could use Velosolo's spacers to make it a single-speed hub if you wanted.

48 / 18 is probably not a bad gear to be starting off with, 48 / 16 possibly a bit high.

You can use the existing chainset; take off the big ring, replace the chainring bolts with short, track, ones and, if necessary, put the ring on the inside of the arms to get a good chain line. That's what I have done with every fixed gear I have ever ridden. No need to use a 1/8th track chain either so you can probably use the chain you have if it is not too worn, just shorten it. You can easily find a good ratio with a 39 ring (assuming your inner ring is 39?). Cheap, quick and effective.

Thanks for all info, I send of an email to Velosolo to see what I need to make my current wheel a single speed (thanks Sergeant Pluck). Will probably do what you suggested wiganwill and use my 39 ring in the front and gear the rear accordingly. I will also look at buying a rear wheel.

The plan is coming together.

Just got a reply from velosolo.....won't work.

Regarding the spacers on the rear we often get asked if our SS spacers are compatible with Campag hubs - they are not designed for Campag but some riders have used them successfully. Unlike Shimano, Campag have changed freehub OD dimensions over the years, the ID of our spacers is 35mm so please measure your hub with a vernier guage if unsure. We do not have any Campag specific cogs I am afraid.

It's a shame since the hubs are fine. The quest continues.

Just got a reply from velosolo.....won't work.

Regarding the spacers on the rear we often get asked if our SS spacers are compatible with Campag hubs - they are not designed for Campag but some riders have used them successfully. Unlike Shimano, Campag have changed freehub OD dimensions over the years, the ID of our spacers is 35mm so please measure your hub with a vernier guage if unsure. We do not have any Campag specific cogs I am afraid.

It's a shame since the hubs are fine. The quest continues.

So long as they are plus of the OD of your hub, you're fine. I just made some from cut pipe - doesn't have to be precision engineering as once it's all tight, nothing near the right size is going to move, so long as you cut square (use a jig).

what's your goal here? A single speed or a fixed gear bike? Get a new back wheel - it's a much more effective route. Kiwi has £90 budget sets, think he does singles too. I don't deal with Paul anymore but he's a good wheel builder amongst other things http://www.kiwicycles.com/wheels.htm
And as stated above Varno (that's his user name) seems handy.

You need brakeless.

Shop 14 or Tokyo Fixed Gear sells it

Another question, since this is a road frame with 175mm cranks should i worry about clearance in the corner if I go fixed. I am slightly concerned about that bit. I don't feel much like crashing big time.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skUJ-B6oVDQ&ob=av2e"]YouTube
- Coldplay - 'Fix you' music video[/ame]

As you were