Wanted: Ladies frame/bike for conversion

Hello,

I have been quietly lurking for a while, but decided it might be time to come out from lurking status! I've been mulling the idea of buying an offthepeg singlespeed bike and converting to fixed that way, but since it's summer with a bit of free time, figured maybe doing a full conversion by hand would be best.

Thus, I'm looking to see if anyone has some nice frames (ideally w/forks!) or complete bikes that I can overhaul.

Ideal bits it would have:
-stepthrough frame/mixte
-ability to mount a rack
-sized to fit 1.72m person
-ability to mount front and rear brakes (a bit of a safety nut)
-lightweight

I know this exact type of thread is reposted here lots (as I've been doing lots of searches for a perfect frame on here), so thanks for the help! Bicycles are a bit of a mystery to me, so doing a conversion myself would be a massive challenge but if the right bits come along, am totally going to give it a go!

I promise I'll post photos of it after the conversion!

loz, why do you want a stepthrough? diamond frames offer better options (so far as lighter, geo, and are a bit stronger)

http://www.gumtree.com/london/13/23670213.html

loz, why do you want a stepthrough? diamond frames offer better options (so far as lighter, geo, and are a bit stronger)

Thanks for the replies. I want a stepthrough so if I decided to do a bit of a going out in a skirt thing or change to have a bit of a "sit up and beg" style going on, it seems like it'd be much easier to do on a stepthrough.

Otherwise, I'd just buy offthepeg and then start changing parts out (in fact, Jada's Langster was looking quite nice if it weren't for the above reason :P I have no street cred interest, so luckily no simmering hatred of it!)

I kinda want a bike that is fixed gear, but also comfortable to ride in normal street clothes without feeling the need to keep them in a bag and change into them later.

loz, why do you want a stepthrough? diamond frames offer better options (so far as lighter, geo, and are a bit stronger)

Stepthroughs are badass. Look at this Miss Mercian:

So elegant.

Have you seen this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300221336305 Ending soon, cheap, but may be a bit small for you

Stepthroughs are badass. Look at this Miss Mercian:

So elegant.

Oh that is elegant. That'd be the ideal frame if I could afford it! Alas, someday........although high and low searching for second hand will be needed as it seems it only comes w/a single top tube now.

Have you seen this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300221336305 Ending soon, cheap, but may be a bit small for you

That one is perfect and I definitely would've gone for it if it wasn't so long a train ride to Merseyside! But cheers :) I hadn't even seen it when scouring through ebay.

Thanks for the replies. I want a stepthrough so if I decided to do a bit of a going out in a skirt thing or change to have a bit of a "sit up and beg" style going on, it seems like it'd be much easier to do on a stepthrough.

Otherwise, I'd just buy offthepeg and then start changing parts out (in fact, Jada's Langster was looking quite nice if it weren't for the above reason :P I have no street cred interest, so luckily no simmering hatred of it!)

I kinda want a bike that is fixed gear, but also comfortable to ride in normal street clothes without feeling the need to keep them in a bag and change into them later.

i get ya... didn't think of skirts.

I think this would make a great convert:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190219435984&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching

Am very tempted...especially as I love the fact that it NEEDS a repaint...anything to give an excuse to do a repaint in my books is good stuff. But looking at pricing of doing the whole thing, I might be best off sucking it up and just getting an OTP :(

(Well, really, it's the price of the wheel conversion--I don't understand wheels enough to know if I'm fine taking the spokes off and using the rims w/a new hub and spokes or if it needs a new wheel, lol. Time to keep searching past posts!)

the spokes probably cannot be reused, not sure about the rim. i would get a new rim and spokes. EDIT: and hub obviously

the spokes probably cannot be reused, not sure about the rim. i would get a new rim and spokes. EDIT: and hub obviously

LOL, but not a new wheel, eh? :P

Actually, I just saw JOL's boss's bike elsewhere on here so am trying to get in touch w/him about it. It's the same exact type but in WAY better condition than this one.

no i would get the parts, and a pint of beer for mister Dogsballs and have him turn them into a wheel. oh and you need nipples.

no i would get the parts, and a pint of beer for mister Dogsballs and have him turn them into a wheel. oh and you need nipples.

Thanks for the tip :)

Think I'll be spending my week debating the merits of a stepthrough...and then the merits of doing the build myself or just getting a prebuilt one (still on about how it might be best for learning about it before converting one by hand).

i like your avatar.

buy v. build depends on your budget, and knowledge, and where you can find frames.

There are some really good resources on this forum Roberto and Jos have out of the apartment bike shops, and good prices.

i like your avatar.

buy v. build depends on your budget, and knowledge, and where you can find frames.

There are some really good resources on this forum Roberto and Jos have out of the apartment bike shops, and good prices.

Thanks, I like your avatar too :) Once again, thanks for the tips...will keep them in mind, although am sadly leaning towards way offthepeg w/Specialised stuff, lol!

But, the ebay bike got relisted for cheaper...so maybe a project and an offthepeg wouldn't be too mad (have any of you found that you need a flat just for the bikes you want? LOL).

No idea if this is any use to you:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320251214435

frame I'm selling on ebay, would build up fixed no problem, although a step through I guess it may not be exactly what your after style wise.

1 Attachment

I would try posting on the CTC forum's buying and selling area, there's always loads of bargains going on there, and people do respond to Wanted ads too.

I love a nice mixte too. And I'm a bloke.

LOL, but not a new wheel, eh? :P

Actually, I just saw JOL's boss's bike elsewhere on here so am trying to get in touch w/him about it. It's the same exact type but in WAY better condition than this one.

sorry...I bought this already, and yes, it is lovely! I'm going touring on it. happy days. loving the stepthrough, but that extra rear stay makes it darn heavy. compared to my other bike my pen feels heavy though.

good luck finding one...

No idea if this is any use to you:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320251214435

frame I'm selling on ebay, would build up fixed no problem, although a step through I guess it may not be exactly what your after style wise.

I like the look of that for my other half. would it suit a 5 5" lady? also will the chain guard come off?

My Mrs is 5'4" and she could sit on the seat with feet flat on the floor (26" rims with 1.75tyres, if you need it lower I'd build it with a 24" rear wheel and put a nice fat boot on it, 2.5 should fit easy, you may even get a 24X3.0 dyno fireball at a squeeze). the chain guard comes off with 2 bolts, the rear brake cable routes through the frame top tube and from memory due to the forward position of the bottom bracket there are minor toe overlap issues unless you pedal on tip toes

I would try posting on the CTC forum's buying and selling area, there's always loads of bargains going on there, and people do respond to Wanted ads too.

I love a nice mixte too. And I'm a bloke.

Thanks, I'll definitely have a look at that. I didn't even realise there were CTC forums! You lot are amazingly helpful!

Cool on the mixte frame love!

sorry...I bought this already, and yes, it is lovely! I'm going touring on it. happy days. loving the stepthrough, but that extra rear stay makes it darn heavy. compared to my other bike my pen feels heavy though.

good luck finding one...

Cheers :) Glad to hear it's being enjoyed!

My Mrs is 5'4" and she could sit on the seat with feet flat on the floor (26" rims with 1.75tyres, if you need it lower I'd build it with a 24" rear wheel and put a nice fat boot on it, 2.5 should fit easy, you may even get a 24X3.0 dyno fireball at a squeeze). the chain guard comes off with 2 bolts, the rear brake cable routes through the frame top tube and from memory due to the forward position of the bottom bracket there are minor toe overlap issues unless you pedal on tip toes

I actually quite like the look of this bike...there's a lot of potential with it!

How would it do w/a lttl on the taller end of 5'7"? If I shove 700c tyres on there maybe that could help w/height. You may find a definite bid on this if the price stays within my means (as I think I'm going to buy off the peg whilst looking for a project bike), it's awesome, thanks for sharing!

I actually quite like the look of this bike...there's a lot of potential with it!

How would it do w/a lttl on the taller end of 5'7"? If I shove 700c tyres on there maybe that could help w/height. You may find a definite bid on this if the price stays within my means (as I think I'm going to buy off the peg whilst looking for a project bike), it's awesome, thanks for sharing!

I think you would be fine, the seat tube is a very slack angle so as you push the seat up it moves back quite considerably giving you more space, you just end up sat a little more over the back end. I think with 26" and balloon tyres or 700c hoops you would be absolutely fine. look at the link here and read the blurb on the 'flatfoot' design.

http://www.electrabike.com/townie/

My intention was to go for a matt black frame and pinstripe it in blue and red, 26/24" wheel build with single coaster or 3 speed hub and dyno fireball tyres.

if that doesn't suit, I might have a ladies bike, but it would have to be picked up in oxford...
Yours for around the price of a faulty spyder jacket.

My Mrs is 5'4" and she could sit on the seat with feet flat on the floor (26" rims with 1.75tyres, if you need it lower I'd build it with a 24" rear wheel and put a nice fat boot on it, 2.5 should fit easy, you may even get a 24X3.0 dyno fireball at a squeeze). the chain guard comes off with 2 bolts, the rear brake cable routes through the frame top tube and from memory due to the forward position of the bottom bracket there are minor toe overlap issues unless you pedal on tip toes

Like your thinking. I am doing the hard sell on her at the moment, and if i can convince her to go easy on the styling (she is hooked on the pike porn thread at the mo) i'l take it. Via ebay of course