Conversion advice...

I want to get my mrs on a bike once again and she's having a single-speed whether she likes it or not...... Spread the love and all!

Do you think this... ebay link would make up something useable for someone 5' 3" ?

Cheers.

Looks ideal - you could make something really nice out of that

How much work are you looking to do?

That bike looks 1980's, made by universal. So bear in mind that it will be quite heavy and none of the parts will be particularly special.

The wheels are steel 27", they are described as bubbling so theyll be heavy/tatty, and only a few tyres to choose from.

It could clean up into a fine bike, but it may be worth starting with a better base than a universal as youll probably be spending some money replacing a few bits.

What they said. Bear in mind that 27" wheels are sorta rare now (well, at least rearer than 700c) and therefore harder to get/more expensive. You could put 700c wheels on but then you'll need long reach brakes and it would look a little odd. That is if you are bothered by small aesthetic details.

What fanny pack said + 1

If your going to build it new wheels, it's worth looking for a better 700c frame.

you want something cheap look at
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BANKRUPT-26-WHEEL-LADIES-7sp-URBAN-SARACEN-BIKE_W0QQitemZ120315612315QQihZ002QQcategoryZ33503QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
these people collect stock from bankrupt companies some of it seems alright
might build a cheap bike for the fun of it
some are branded parts like saracen ect

That's a geared Halfords spec mountain bike :P

The frames they sell with track ends (of sorts) are the same 26" shit with butchered rear triangles.

I can just about see the difference between a ropey/decent men's frame. Women's frames are a different ball game.

Basically I'm so made up with my fixed (haven't touched my geared road bike since May) I want to get my mrs up and running on something by the summer: a build project for me, as mine is as good as I can afford, and it gets us both out and about.

I'm not too fussed about the extras, just need a frame and the main bits (BB, forks) and I'll source the rest over the dark months. Where do you start with women's frames when they look so alien?- I need a step-over type frame (if that's what it's called.)

bump, do you need a wheelset? I have a langster wheelset that will run single speed only up for grabs. PM me if interested.

I like the mixte frames.

mixte