Chainset on 70's road bike, wheels

Posted on Tue 29th, April 2008

• #1

Numeryk

Hi there,
First of all I would like to welcome everybody in the forum. I've been reading for a while and no it's time for my first post.
I bough off an ebay an old Falcon Omega bike, rusty as hell, will probably need some respraying especially in BB area. I want to convert it to the fixie.
The Chainline in front is 42 mm which I believe is good. The spacing between rear dropouts 120 which is again, good.
Question is, will any 120 mm track hub will do? Is this just a matter of buying one, putting a cog on and the chainline will be fine?
I want to use the original Sugino cranks (again rusty). Does this mean I have to stick with the big-ass chain?
I found here some recommendations for cheap track hubs, but regarding wheelset just one from one in one store. Maybe anybody is selling a cheap wheelset, peferably only rear wheel?
The bike will just be used for very short distance commuting.

Litte update: The rear spacing is in fact 126 mm after correct measurement. I suppose this limits the choice of hubs.
Thanks in advance for any feedback!
• #2

tristoo

I actually have 2 1970's Mercian conversions with 126mm rear spacing and I had the same concerns, I have a 42mm chainline I ended up simply going with my 120mm track hubs and tightening the rear ends together with the track nuts and the chainline is perfect and everything runs smooth, to tweak the chainline you can use hub spacers / washers, sheldon also gives advice on this and talks about 'coldsetting' the rear stays: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html
What chain you use depends on the chainring and your prefrence really.
• #3

Numeryk

Thanks for your response tristoo.
I was considering coldsetting but I do think it is too much of a fuss for a first conversion and not my main ride.
I will probably settle for 120 mm hub and either tighten the frame like you suggested or use some washers ( that's what guy at Cavendish Cycle told me to do).
So I guess any cheap of the shelf 120 mm track hub will do?
I saw link somwhere here for 15 pound one which seems to be a nice deal. Cavendish hat the cheapest one for 30 quid.

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Chainset on 70's road bike, wheels

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Chainset on 70's road bike, wheels

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