hi all,
i just picked up this bike for $50 in hopes of turning it in to a fixie machine for the streets of new zealand. i know a little about bikes, so hoping this is a bit of a challenge.
do i just get a track back wheel? or do i need to change the crankset and bottom bracket too. any tips appreciated!
by Organic-Rhubarb2585
1 Comment
Technically all you need is a track *hub*, but unless you’re comfortable lacing your own wheels getting a ready-built one is probably a good idea.
There’s nothing preventing you from using the current crankset for fixed-gear, but since it’s riveted construction there’s no way to remove the second chainring. A crankset with removable chainring (preferably 5-bolt 130BCD) is also usually recommended for fixed-gear since a lot of times changing the chainring is more convenient than changing the rear sprocket when trying to get a certain ratio.
Since it’s a 3-piece crankset you may not need a new bottom bracket, assuming it’s normal square taper you could just replace the cranks, but it might be a good idea to check which *type* of bottom bracket you have, in case you do need to replace it to get a good chainline.
Overall this frame looks like an excellent candidate for a budget fixed-gear build.
edit:
Also replace the pedals, these don’t look like they have a place where you can attach a strap.