First fixed build - Q&A

[GrasB]

Surely, the whole point of a simplified bike (no gears!) is it should be cheap?

Another point is that simplified may mean putting the same money in to less complicated, thus better quality for the same price, & make a bike which is more robust & lighter.

 

[Radius]

Halos don't have the best reputation, think you'd be better off building your own. Having said that, I wouldn't skimp too much on wheels, the last thing you want is a hub made of cheese where the threads strip as you're trying to slow down quickly...

 

[GrasB]

My experience is Halo rims are very robust, the same can't be said about their hubs however. I've got a pair of Aerowarrior rims laced onto Shimano XT M775 hubs for my B'man hybrid & bomb proof would be a rather good description.

 

[rjm]

I want to do up my first fixie and have been looking at an old Claud Butler 531 frame (about lat 70's, early 80's) that has been abandoned at my workplace. Assuming nobody claims it this week it will be mine. it has quite a few rusty patches on the frame so I would consider repainting it or even chroming it.

Is this a decent choice of frame?

any advice re: repainting/chroming

Rich

 

[Hacienda71]

As Long as the rear dropouts are horizontal and not vertical (You need to be able to tension the chain by moving the wheel backwards and forwards) which is probable on a bike of that age it sounds a good choice. Good quality make and good tubing.
Preparing the frame will depend on your budget. You get what you pay for though.