My Geoffrey Butler conversion

I'm about ready to get stuck in to my GB conversion and I've got a few (more) questions...

There's a Campag crank on it. I've found out that Campag have a unique (ie 'pain in the arse') PCD pattern, so I'm thinking of keeping 52 T outer chainring and going for a 18 or 19t rear cog. I'm assuming that I can get shorter chainring bolts to compensate for the fact there's going to be one chainring missing. It seems simple enough, but is there anything spectacularly stupid with this plan? The cranks are 172.5mm, so they're a little long which means that I know I need to be careful going round corners...

Wheels. I've been looking around and there's a bewildering array of wheels out there. It seems like a single fixed rear wheel is going to cost at least £60 for an 'average' one. If I bought a decent set of wheels (something like £150-200) I could then transplant them on to my next bike... Am I getting carried away with this do you think? Or should I keep it cheap, then sell the conversion when I'm ready for a new bike. If I did, how much could I reasonably expect to get for a converted GB fixed wheel? – I don't want the GB to be a money pit, especially as it's a little large for me.

Or do I just f*ck it all off, save for a bit longer, then buy a more expensive bike? Something like an IRO Mark V from the States?

Your advice, as always, is much appreciated.

Thanks

its always been said that buying good stuff first is going to save you money in the future even if you do decide to sell it later.

Doing a conversion of your own will teach u so much, in the future you will always have money and you should save then when you have learnt what is a good component and what is a bad one. Change the cranks 172.5 is way too long, you will have a lot of trouble with that, especially as it's not a track frame so the BB will be closer to the ground.

Think about getting a Miche Drivetrain then you'll have no problems.... I converted an old peugeot frame, had no problems whatsoever, and I'm running some shit parts and some decent parts. I say do it..... then buy a better bike in the future

i agree

conversion, learn then progress, learn then progress

60£ for a wheel sounds v. cheap rather than average - what did you have in mind?

smeear(smeear) i agree

conversion, learn then progress, learn then progress

electrical tape conversion method?

I want to get on a bike ASAP. I'm down to learn as much as I can, but I'm thinking that a new set of wheels for at least £150, then a new crank at £80ish, then all the chainline malarkey and the parts that go with it ain't going to get me on a bike any time soon. There's got to be £250 need for parts, before I start spending the time...

Perhaps I should go down the Fuji route to get riding, then do the project bike to learn the mechanics?

I feel like the annoying forum 15 year old who can't make up his mind... aarrgggh.

Samsonite

I feel like the annoying forum 15 year old who can't make up his mind... aarrgggh.

that would be my position (17 though!)

Ha, I'm more than double that!

Samsonite I want to get on a bike ASAP. I'm down to learn as much as I can, but I'm thinking that a new set of wheels for at least £150, then a new crank at £80ish, then all the chainline malarkey and the parts that go with it ain't going to get me on a bike any time soon. There's got to be £250 need for parts, before I start spending the time...

Perhaps I should go down the Fuji route to get riding, then do the project bike to learn the mechanics?

i know what you mean. i've done two conversions and i have learnt alot. but i'd probably just recommend you buy the fuji and then upgrade the rear wheel when you can (heard the hubs are a bit pony). if you want to be riding asap just buy one. on a drawn out conversion you can easily spend the 300 quid the fuji costs.

Samsonite
Perhaps I should go down the Fuji route to get riding, then do the project bike to learn the mechanics?

that's exactly what you should do.

Samsonite Perhaps I should go down the Fuji route to get riding, then do the project bike to learn the mechanics?

That's exactly what i did! Except i splashed out and got a bianchi pista.

Then i fell off it. :-)

Haha!

I'm about 134% positive that's what's going to happen to me. Ah well, I'm sure I'll get over it...

Just sold a snowboard today for £240, so I'm 2/3 the way there - and payday's in a week...

Now, to sell that BMX of mine... : )

Thanks for the advice, RPM, Elvis and everybody...

Just want to get riding. I'm on the GB at the moment with gears and I want to move on...

You will get over it. I did, and i'm a scaredy cat. Then you'll be as happy as a pig in mud!

Thanks for the encouragement, asm...

: )

dont be fooled samsonite.....hes just trying to get into your pants,i learnt the hard way:(

hahaha...

I was wondering why everyone was so friendly on this forum...

Well you've got to learn some way I suppose...

aidan dont be fooled samsonite.....hes just trying to get into your pants,i learnt the hard way:(

hahaha :)

I'm surprised I haven't fallen off yet, been riding twice daily at least since April.

Actually, I did. Completely stationary. (Bloody toestraps)

SO stoked...

I just got my bike. Went to check out the Fuji Track but sat right near it was a another bike: BLB 'own' cromoly frame, Ambrosia wheelset, RPM cranks (same as Fuji), etc... Wasn't too much more and I just sold some more snowboard stuff, so... it's mine now...

So excited about the Bridges ride now...

Thanks for all your help so far... Looking forward to meeting you all on the ride...

Nice one samsonite! About the pants, just wear lycra. Stops any and all attempts at 'breaking & entering'.

Roger that, I'll keep that in mind... Pretty sure I've got a set of bright pink bib shorts somewhere from my days as a cross country mountain biker... Although that might give off the wrong signals...

I think I just worked out what your avatar thingy is... I feel queasy...

http://www.amirtemur.org :) its me with a mouthful of toothbrushes.

Oh jesus.. Well, that's kind of a relief, because at that size it looks like a dodgy sex doll with a large pink phallus in it's mouth...

Not that I'm saying that's what you look like. Er. Just your picture thingummy. Erm...
..
.

Nice day today, wasn't it?

yes. although not as sunny as yesterday.

so............

...........bikes huh?