No idea about Fixies..need help

[steveindenmark]

As the title suggests I have only recently come across Fixies and in all honesty I know very little about them and need some information.

I have recently finished a motorcycle project and am looking for something to get into for winter and I have seen photos of Fixies on the internet I would love to build one, not necessarily for the riding but for the look.

I love the clean lines of the Fixies and have an idea of building something purely with Italian parts with a Moto Guzzi theme to it. I know Guzzi is a motorbike but I am a Guzzi owner and a big fan of the bikes.

This was my last project:

I am totally clueless as to what crank and rear sprocket I would need and how to work out inches, or what it means for that matter. I have also read that some fixies do not have brakes, is that correct?

How do I work out what drive set up would be good for me.

Sorry if I sound a bit of a plank, but as I said from the off, this is totally new to me.

Steve

 

[Ozzeh]

Crikey, where to start?

First, to Sheldon. He will tell you most of what you need to know regarding fixed gear bikes and converting existing steeds to fixed gear:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

Frames:

You can convert almost anything to a fixed gear, but it's easier if you start with horizontal dropouts or track dropouts. Again, Sheldon will tell you all you need to know. If you're into classic Guzzis then picking up a retro steel frame might be right up your street!

Brakes:

This is a contentious subject. Depending on your location, the local law enforcement will have different opinions regarding whether you are supposed to ride with a pair of brakes, a front brake or whether none is acceptable. In the UK for example, you are required to have a method for braking both the front and rear wheels independently, but a fixed-gear can be counted as a rear brake as you can slow down your pedalling and resist the forward motion of the bicycle to slow down. Do this firmly enough and you can lock up the rear wheel.

I ride with a front brake but don't use it in day to day riding.

Gearing:

As you only have a single gear ratio on a fixed-gear bike, you have to try to make that ratio match the riding you will do most. Generally a good rule of thumb would be to find a gear that you can just manage to get up your toughest hill on and start with that one. The gear ratio is determined by the circumference of your wheel/tyre, your rear sprocket and your front chainring. As an example, I ride:

700x23c
46T Chainring
16T Sprocket

This gives a 2.9 ratio, 75" gear

You can always adjust your ratio for a few quid buying a new sprocket or chainring. In this example, going for more teeth on the rear sprocket reduces the gearing, and less teeth increases it.

For a fantastic gear ratio tool check out the Rabbit fixed gear calculator:

http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/

I live in Cambs which is pretty damned flat and my ratio of 75" which works well for me. I would recommend starting around 70" and see how you get on. If it's very hilly where you are, perhaps try a 65".

Drivetrain:

You have two options here really, either 3/32" or 1/8". Track bikes generally use 1/8" chains, sprockets and chainrings as they are stronger. Road bikes generally use 3/32" as the chains run generally quieter and chain line doesn't have to be quite so accurate. I use 1/8" on two fixed gear bikes and 3/32 on my third.

Finally, fixed gear bikes can be beautiful due to their simplicity but they can also make the most amazingly robust commuter steeds as there is very very little to go wrong with them.

 

[Bicycle]

Steve,

It is much simpler than a motorcycle build, but it has its own issues.

You can use any old crank. Some people like a shorter (165mm) crank arm to lessen the likelihood of striking a pedal on the ground, but I've never had a problem with that.

The easy way to calculate gear inches is to use one of the many tools on the Web. If you type Sheldon brown into a search engine, that should tell you most of what you want or need to know. Sheldon is highly revered as a fixed-gear enthusiast and still has a large following despite no longer being amongst the living.

Tragically, I'm afraid I used tips from a set-up called Shiftless Bastards (google this). it's a bit laid back and chatty, but you do get a clear idea of how to do things and what order to do them in. I think most people find Shiftless Bastards slightly puerile and unclear, but it worked for me.

Finding the right gear ratio is just a matter of seeing what works for you. See what other people who live in similar country have fitted. I ride 69" in rolling, hilly countryside and it works for me.

Brakes are up to you. I don't know the law in Denmark, but in the UK you must be able to slow each wheel independently. This means that a fixie needs only a front brake, but I use two. Many fixed-gear riders in the UK have only a front brake.

As to building one for the looks, each to their own. I like the look of a fixie, but really it's just for riding. To me, my fixie looks like a bicycle drawn by a young child. Not very exciting... If you want to build a bike for its looks, I wouldn't build one of these.... But that's just me.

It will be an odd project after rebuilding a motorcycle. A lot of it will just be assembling parts you've bought. The trick is in aligning the drive and mounting the rear wheel correctly if you need spacers.

The best starting place is a frame with horizontal (or almost horizontal) drop-outs. Just about the only item that you'll need to find is the rear hub. I bought a new rear wheel, but some people just re-lace their rim onto a new hub.

The little Guzzi looks beautiful. Good luck!

 

[steveindenmark]

Thanks guys what a good start. You have given me something to think about already as well as places to visit to find things out for myself.

I am sure I will be using this forum a lot during the winter months

Steve

 

[Ozzeh]

to give you some ideas:

http://www.thefootdown.co.uk/category/bike-gallery/
http://brothercycles.com/gallery

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Look at fixed gear bike galleries like this one... http://www.myfixedgear.net/ there are many others.

Try and get some idea of the "look" you are after.
Colourful urban fixie?
"I'm a courier....honest" (aka fakenger)?
Bar-spinning trick bike?
Porteur (practical for carrying things) bike?
Communteur?
Beautiful but understated?
Retro/ Vintage racer?
Polo bike?
Full-on track bike?
Wacky but interesting?
So-ugly-only-its-mum-could-love-it bike?

Look at the bike porn section of the London Fixed Gear Single Speedforum. This is an inspiring mix of factory/team specials, classic builds and modern weirdness.

Bianchi, Cinelli and Campagnolo are Italian companies worth a look for frames and components.

 

[steveindenmark]

I am considering this Bianchi as my project bike.
Would this dropout be OK for a fixie and would I be able to use this chain ring.

Steve

 

[Rob3rt]

In short... yes.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Thats a lovely frame. If you give it half the attention to detail as that motocycle, it should come out looking great. Apart from some cleaning and buffing, it looks like it need very little doing to it apart from a wheel/ hub change to a fixed gear hub. I love the chainguard and the lugwork.

 

[steveindenmark]

Thats a lovely frame. If you give it half the attention to detail as that motocycle, it should come out looking great. Apart from some cleaning and buffing, it looks like it need very little doing to it apart from a wheel/ hub change to a fixed gear hub. I love the chainguard and the lugwork.

You have raised a good point without realising it.

When I bought my motorbike it had never been touched with regards to restoration. When I asked if I should strip it and paint there was a definate 50/50 divide. This was the same with the UK Moto Guzzi Club, the Danish Moto Guzzi Club and the Italian Moto Guzzi club. In the end I decided that I could not please everyone and as I was paying for it, I would please myself.

I will not be getting the Bianchi bike I posted as I have not totally made up my mind on it and have not got the space for more than one more bike. It has 15 minutes to go on e bay Germany and is going for €1 at the moment. I need a bigger shed

Steve