My first SSFG build

I would like to keep this post updated with progress and pics!

My affair with steel bikes started half a year ago when I discovered my father’s 70s Falcon in our shed. I have since restored the falcon and a Raleigh Mixte for my wife.

I am now embarking in my next adventure which is to build an SSFG bike (either flip flop hub or an extra rear wheel or a wheel on which I can interchange a FG cog or a SS freewheel). As I have no prior experience with riding either SS or FG (other than my childhood BMX bike) I want to keep both options open until I chose what I enjoy more!

I want the bike to be comfortable and trustworthy for my urban rides! (once the bike is completed my modern hybrid will be going to the local classifieds to finance this project and free some space).

I am not to fussed about building the bike completely out of period correct components as long as they function smoothly together and they look nice.

I am quite heavy (108kg, 190cm tall) so I want components which are stardy!

I want to base the project around the following frame. I know it wasn’t meant to be used as an SSFG bike, but if I understand correctly how things work the dropouts should be fine for a SSFF conversion.

Before starting to acquire components for the project I need to decide the following:

***Colour scheme: ***

Option 1: The all black on yellow.
Black headset
Black stem
Black bars and grips
Black seat post and saddle
Black chainset and chain
Black wheels, tyres, spokes
(Possible variations: go for yellow tyres or spokes or rims, or chain, or grips).

Option 2: The chrome vintage look
Silver headset
Silver stem
Silver bars and black grips
Silver seat post and black saddle
Silver chainset and chain
Silver wheels, spokes and black tyres
Option 3: A combination of options 1 and 2.

Aerospoke or not:
I am considering using an Aerospoke as a front wheel?

Cockpit:
I have decided that I want flat bars.
The question is what bars to use (risers, straight etc) and what stem to use (length, angle)

Any ideas and suggestions on the above would be really appreciated.
I would also be more than happy to purchase parts from the community!
Cheers
George

Y E S!
cutt off the eyelets please.
have you considered swapping dropouts to track ends for a fixie?

current projects?

Remove all braze-ons and plug all the brake socket hole eyelets.

Y E S!
cutt off the eyelets please.
have you considered swapping dropouts to track ends for a fixie?

That would be heresy on a lovely frame like that - destroy a £100 original paint job for a couple of details. You were joking, weren't you ??

I think black extras would look best if you decide to go aerospoke.

I am definitely using mismatched fluro Arrospok as a front & back wheel wheel?

ftfy

Y E S!
cutt off the eyelets please.
have you considered swapping dropouts to track ends for a fixie?

hehe

another lovely frame about to be lost to a conversion...

^ Nothing wrong with building up a conversion, often makes sense from a comfort/cost perspective. So long as none of the braze-ons are taken off it can be converted back at at time.

All opinions appreciated!
I am not going for any frame conversions! To scared that I will ruin the frame!
I guess it is quite evident that I am new to this!
I have enjoyed restoring the Falcon lots. Best medicine after work (I am not sure my wife agrees...although she seems to enjoy her mixte).
I know that I will not be building the perfect bike or the best looking/purist fixie. But I am hoping that I will enjoy the process of acquiring the parts and working on this frame just as much as I did with the falcon.
The bike may eventually end up being a single speed or even a road bike??? Who knows??? It is all about the process!!!

chop 'em off, I'm tellin' ya.

:-) !

I am serious.

I'd go for option 2, and not bother with the aerospoke.
Looks like a nice frame.

Maybe time for a respray? have you considered a baby blue? now that would be gorgeous.

Really? Trolling? Skirt-love MK2? You can't post such a beautiful frame, say you are going to build it ss with an spok. List your components in colours... black stem/silver stem...black chain??!!! really???....without getting a lot of abuse. That frame deserves gears and to be built how it was intended..... Use the braze-ons..... Buy a cheap track frame if you wan to go fixed or ss........... Just my 2p........ your frame at the end of the day....

imho you can go, it's an old steel frame without crazy dynamicals specs, probably with 126 spacing, so for me it is not a crime to make a ssfg, even if it you can build a so pretty vintage road bicycle, perfect with period correct and you will never ride it, just sell the complete building.
go lsgeorge ;-)

Whatever you do, please, please don't repaint it or remove any of the braze ons.
If you want to convert it then do it, but eventually you'll probably end up getting a track frame and regretting hacking the braze ons off such a lovely frame.

And powder coating almost always looks shit.

Race number tab on the top-tube is cool as.

I'd go option 2 with Cinelli / Campag hardware and gumwall tyres on CD grey Mavic GP/Opens or TB14s.

ah yeah, aerospoke would look sweet I think

^joker! ha ha

Good morning and thank you for all your input so far!
My post probably pushed all the wrong buttons for the members of the group! (aerospoke, road bike frame, etc)
I do appreciate that for someone who really loves his SSFG there is only one way! The proper way!
Reading the posts I take away two things:
1) People thing that I have acquired a nice frame!
2) Most people feel that this frame would only be at home with period correct road bike components.
Based on the above the preferred compromise (If I have to go SS) would be to do so with chrome/silver period correct stems/bars/cranks/ wheels.
If I am to go flat bar, do I have any options which will not look out of place on a cinelli or 3ttt road bike stem?? Also what break levers does one use for such a setup (say calibres are Campy or Dura ace of 8-9 speed era)?

Some inspiration

Arrospok 4 life, leave vintage steel for the grandads....