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General: conversion question

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    im looking on converting a mixte frame to fixed gear. i wanted to know whether or not i had to replace crank and BB if went ahead and changed the rear wheel to a flip/flop.

    please help.
    • CommentAuthorgiosSR215
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009
     
    nah dude you don't need to do anything just dump a whole bunch of super glue on the back cogs and you'll be straight. that's how all of us do it.
  3.  
    You will not need to replace your bb or your crankset. A couple tricks to achive a good chain line- 1st, try running the chain ring on the inside of the spider (assuming you are using a crank with removable chainrings)
    2nd:
    sometimes the bb spindle is longer on the drive side. Try flipping it arould to get your crank arm closer to the bb (sometimes its too close and the chainring will rub)

    Hope that helps!
    • CommentAuthorf.iction
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2009
     
    hooooollld up....


    You MIGHT need to change your crankset. It really depends on how shitty the crankset is. If it's a flimsy stamped steel POS... you probably want to look for something a little stronger if you're planning on running only a front brake.

    I mean, it's probably alright, but there are some mixte and old road frames that have cranks that are really weak.
    • CommentAuthordirtle
    • CommentTimeApr 29th 2009
     
    crank explodey!
  7.  
    sure, cranksets are kind of pricey but they are a great place for a solid upgrade and totally worth it not to skimp. id go for a decent set with shorter crank arms like 165mm length and a good bcd and maybe a new single speed (1/8") chain ring. heres why, with a nice short crank arm you dont have to worry about killing yourself due to pedal strike. sheldon can tell you all about that!

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

    also, with a solid bcd you wont have to worry about purchasing weird chain ring sizes, which will allow you to mix and match your gear inch. actually, if you are just getting started you could probably rock a few hand me down rings from your friends. the problem with geared bike cranksets is that bcd can sometimes run big. if you think about it, it has to hold up to the biggest size ring on the original setup. its much easier to find single speed rings in a more standard size, like a 130 bcd for example.

    and lastly, a good starter chainring is good because you can match your cog up with a solid gearing/gear inch, which is totally important for hills as well as skids and patches. plus, once you run it fixed, youll probably be better off with a beefier single speed 1/8 inch chain and rings! hopefully that helped? hahaha who knows!?!?!?!
  8.  
    Jesus guys don't tell this dude to just make it happen with what he's got. If you wanna do this correctly you will indeed need to replace a couple of components on your bike. Understand that the way the bike is currently built it is not means to be ridden as a fixed gear.
    Shimano makes a bomb proof sealed bottom bracket that costs around $15. You can afford that for sure. Then just get you a solid single speed / track crankset that isn't gonna break the bank. There are budget sets made by companies like Origin8 and Pake but I'd probably recommend something a little nicer. The Sugino RD set is as nice as you're gonna need. The crankset with chainring usually sells for about $115. So you're out around $130 on top of whatever you got goin on with the rear wheel but it'll make a big difference in how the bike rides and how safe it is to ride.
  9.  
    this is true. get good stuff once and you done ever have to worry about it in the future. its honestly the way to go!
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeMay 24th 2009
     
    Have to, no. Should, maybe. It all depends on what components are on the mixte. They may suck, in which case you should probably replace them with something more capable of handling the stress of skid stops and such. The idea that you absolutely need to change your cranks and bottom bracket when converting is nonsense though. My fixed conversion beater uses the shimano 600 cranks and bottom bracket it came with which poop on origin8, pake, rd, and most of the other "track specific" stuff out there.
    • CommentAuthoriron jaiden
    • CommentTimeMay 25th 2009 edited
     
    Posted By: wes m.Have to, no. Should, maybe. It all depends on what components are on the mixte. They may suck, in which case you should probably replace them with something more capable of handling the stress of skid stops and such. The idea that you absolutely need to change your cranks and bottom bracket when converting is nonsense though. My fixed conversion beater uses the shimano 600 cranks and bottom bracket it came with which poop on origin8, pake, rd, and most of the other "track specific" stuff out there.


    I agree with you for the most part. Thing is you ever seen a mixte with quality components? I haven't. Every one I've seen straight has cottered cranks and a goddamn tin can for a rear hub. And while the Shimano 600 group is stone solid let's not say they "poop" on the Sugino RD crankset. After much investigation and tryout the RD set is a nice step above whatever crap Origin8 and Pake are puttin out. But yeah, if for some reason your mixte has a nice crankset and bottom bracket already you totally don't need to swap those out. Unless of course the bottom bracket is the wrong size to keep a relatively straight chainline.
    • CommentAuthorRuffinit
    • CommentTimeJun 10th 2009 edited
     
    Actually, Peugeot, Motobecane and Austro-Daimler made some high quality mixte frames, these frames generally had Stronglight and French componentry (Sachs?), even many of the Japanese companies made a model or two; Centurion, Nishiki, Bridgestone, Univega with Japanese components. One guy I know has a Reynolds 531 tubed Motobecane, but I don't know of the components.. Many of these frames like any other had high and low end components, they just aren't very numerous here in the States and most that you see have been relegated to garage art or to Mom and you don't touch Mom's bike. We treat them as "girls" bikes and therefore that's how they were sold. In Europe everyone rides them and you find some of the nicer quality frames there.

    Check this out right here on velospace; a VERY nice conversion:

    http://velospace.org/node/10259
  13.  
    do the full conversion and run that shit by a bike shop ive seen too many mistakes made by nigger rigging shit
    • CommentAuthorwes m.
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2009
     
    Posted By: blueandgolddo the full conversion and run that shit by a bike shop ive seen too many mistakes made by nigger rigging shit


    Uhh, I know I can be a pretty offensive person but damn dude...
    • CommentAuthorgreg
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2009
     
    Banned.
    • CommentAuthorSkidMark
    • CommentTimeJun 23rd 2009
     
    I prefer the term "Mickey-Mousing"
  17.  
    Yeah dude racism just sucks on every level.

    Thanks Greg.
  18.  
    Posted By: wes m.
    Posted By: blueandgolddo the full conversion and run that shit by a bike shop ive seen too many mistakes made by nigger rigging shit


    Uhh, I know I can be a pretty offensive person but damn dude...



    hahaha ive never even heard that phrase, but that can go with words that make me cringe
    • CommentAuthorAaron C
    • CommentTimeJun 24th 2009
     
    Posted By: blueandgolddo the full conversion and run that shit by a bike shop ive seen too many mistakes made by nigger rigging shit


    what an ass-hat
    • CommentAuthorkidnice87
    • CommentTimeJun 25th 2009
     
    What he was trying to say was, depending on the type of riding you do, if you are just going to use it as a cruiser and are running a front brake atleast you shouldn't have any trouble as far as cranks and bb goes, the chainline doesn't have to be razor straight it will be fine. If you plan on riding hard and "hhwhip skidzing" on every piece of asphalt you
    see I would 2nd guess converting period, very simple to pop your wheel off dropouts if not secured properly and no brake=oshitsnapedchain=can't getto brake=broken face.

    Be smart.

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