thinking fixie...

[Alfa GT]

Hi All

I have an uncontrollable urge to spend money so looking to get a fixie for no other reason than I want one! I have very little need for it but I have convinced myself now and can't back down! I want to spend £100 - £200 max. What should I do:

1. buy a very cheap new bike
2. buy a fixie off ebay/gumtree/local ads
3. buy a decent bike off ebay/gumtree/local ads and convert to fixie

How easy would it be to convert a decent bike to a fixie? I've seen a 2011 Specialized Tricross local to me that looks pretty good and only £100. Would that be a bike fit for converting?

Cheers
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[Threevok]

CRC are having a clear out of (what appears) to be their entire Fixie stock

All about the £250 mark though you can get £10 off with the Promo code, plus cashback as well at Quidco

 

[Ian H]

If you're buying to convert you need an older frame with forward-facing long dropouts (or track-ends if you're not fussy).

 

[Alfa GT]

Great I'll have a look and see if I can stretch to it. I do quite like the idea of converting an old bike though. I actually think I mean that I would like to convert it to singlespeed rather than a fixie. I'm not up with the terminology! Does that make a difference to what typre of frame I can use?

this is the frame I have seen: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...-specialized-bicycles-tricross-comp-08-29161/

 

[Threevok]

Single speed is different, as it uses a freewheel (like a normal geared bike) but frame the requirements for conversion are the same.

Chain tension being the main obstacle. There are several ways to overcome this though

 

[Alfa GT]

Ok good to know. I can potentially get hold of a 90's Dawes Giro so maybe that would be a better bet for the conversion as it should have the correct type of frame.

 

[Threevok]

Indeed it would

 

[Spiderweb]

Great I'll have a look and see if I can stretch to it. I do quite like the idea of converting an old bike though. I actually think I mean that I would like to convert it to singlespeed rather than a fixie. I'm not up with the terminology! Does that make a difference to what typre of frame I can use?

this is the frame I have seen: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...-specialized-bicycles-tricross-comp-08-29161/

The Spesh Tricross was available in single speed.
Frame available here.http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=201989150189&globalID=EBAY-GB

 

[Threevok]

That's not a bad punt actually. It only needs a rear wheel by the looks of it

 

[Cycleops]

Not bad at all but I suspect it'll go for a lot more than the current bid.
Maybe Bigsie (@biggs682 ) has something?

 

[biggs682]

Ok good to know. I can potentially get hold of a 90's Dawes Giro so maybe that would be a better bet for the conversion as it should have the correct type of frame.

Thanks @Cycleops

@Alfa GT where are you based? How tall are you?

I have a couple of likely candidate's , I am based in Wellingborough Northamptonshire and you are more than welcome to come and try them

 

[Alfa GT]

thanks guys!

@biggs682 I'm based in Cambridge so not too far and I'm 5'10". What sort of bikes have you got? Have you got a shop? Cheers!

 

[biggs682]

thanks guys!

@biggs682 I'm based in Cambridge so not too far and I'm 5'10". What sort of bikes have you got? Have you got a shop? Cheers!

@Alfa GT no shop just a garage crammed full

i have KHS Turbo 1980's retro road racing bike with Tange tubing

and this Simoncini Road Bike Large REDUCED

then Perks

then Legnano

and this as well but the price would have to be right My latest Project

so might be worth a trundle down the a14

 

[Alfa GT]

@Spiderweb The Tricross I can potentially get hold of is £140 with all components all ready to go. I'll keep an eye on the ebay one though in case in turns out to be a bargain

 

[Alfa GT]

@biggs682 Wow they looks amazing, especially that Bromwich! Alas, I think they are a bit expensive for me and probably not the sort of bikes I should be tinkering with... I'm more after something I can mess around with without worrying about breaking it!

Thanks anyway and great work