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Frame suitable for fixed wheel bike?

Started by Sheldon Brown · · Last activity · 7 posts · 559 views

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01 / Original postFrame suitable for fixed wheel bike?Sheldon Brown · 23 Sep 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–7Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #7Luke · 26 Sep 2004

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
23 September 2004
Last activity
26 September 2004
Original author
Sheldon Brown
Posts
7
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
559
Views / 30 days
0
Topics
Bottom bracketsCrank arm lengthDowntube shiftersSingle-speed and fixed-gearSteel framesVintage lugged frames

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  1. Original post
    Sheldon Brown
    Archived post
    #1
    Peter S said:

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it’s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinkingif I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    I want to use a fixed wheel bike for fun and training but also as a build
    project to learn more about how to do assembly and get some basic know how.

    This sounds promising, but the most important detail is whether it has
    horizontal dropouts or not.

    My onlin article on Fixed Gear Conversions has a section on frame
    considerations.

    See: http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

    Sheldon "Coasting Is Evil" Brown
    +-----------------------------------------------+
    | The wayfarer |
    | Perceiving the pathway to truth, |
    | Was struck with astonishment. |
    | It was thickly grown with weeds. |
    | "Ha," he said, |
    | "I see that none has passed here |
    | In a long time." |
    | Later he saw that each weed |
    | Was a singular knife. |
    | "Well," he mumbled at last, |
    | "Doubtless there are other roads." |
    | --Stephen Crane |
    +-----------------------------------------------+
    Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
    Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
    http://harriscyclery.com
    Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
    http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

    Report
  2. Zog The Undeniable
    Archived post
    #2
    Peter S said:

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it’s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinking if I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    I want to use a fixed wheel bike for fun and training but also as a build
    project to learn more about how to do assembly and get some basic know how.

    Any help about the frame is welcome.

    There is one essential and one desirable:

    Essential: horizontal dropouts.

    Desirable: either a high bottom bracket or slightly shorter cranks.

    Report
  3. Lewis Campbell
    Archived post
    #3

    You can pretty much run a fixed gear in any bike frame, even one with
    vertical dropouts.

    Here is a link to a newsgroup which can help you:-

    http://lists.davintech.ca/mailman/listinfo/fixed-gear

    Hope this helps you.

    Lewis.

    *********************************

    "Peter S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it?s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinking if I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    I want to use a fixed wheel bike for fun and training but also as a build
    project to learn more about how to do assembly and get some basic know how.

    Any help about the frame is welcome.

    Thanks

    Peter S
    [email hidden]

    Report
  4. Jeff Wills
    Archived post
    #4

    "Peter S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it?s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinking if I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    There's only one detail to be concerned about- does it have vertical
    or horizontal rear dropouts? If they're horizontal, it's an easy
    conversion, if vertical it gets somewhat more difficult. I wouldn't
    bother repainting it unless it's some sort of restoreable collector's
    item. Just ride it ugly.

    Good reference: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

    Jeff

    Report
  5. Peter S
    Archived post
    #5

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it’s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinking if I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    I want to use a fixed wheel bike for fun and training but also as a build
    project to learn more about how to do assembly and get some basic know how.

    Any help about the frame is welcome.

    Thanks

    Peter S
    [email hidden]

    Report
  6. Peter S
    Archived post
    #6

    Thanks for all the replies. I've checked the pics on Sheldon's site. My
    frame has 'short horizontal dropouts' so I'll proceed with this project.

    On another note, is there any reason to NOT use the 39 tooth inner ring as
    the chainwheel for a fixed wheel conversion so long as the appropriate rear
    cog is used? I'd like to not blow the budget on this project while I build
    and learn!

    Thanks

    Peter S
    [email hidden]

    "Peter S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've been looking for a cheap frame suitable to build up into a fixed
    wheel
    bike. I've been given an old Kojima Condor with downtube shifters, which I
    know nothing about. The frame is marked 'Tange 900' double butted. I think
    it’s a lugged steel frame. Does anyone here know if this is a reasonable
    frame to dress up into a fixed wheel bike? I've googled but can't find
    much
    info. The other bits of this bike show signs of neglect so I'm thinking if
    I
    start with this frame it will need to be cleaned up, repainted and pretty
    well have a lot of work done.

    I want to use a fixed wheel bike for fun and training but also as a build
    project to learn more about how to do assembly and get some basic know
    how.

    Any help about the frame is welcome.

    Thanks

    Peter S
    [email hidden]

    Report
  7. Luke
    Archived post
    #7

    In article
    <[email hidden]>, Peter S

    Quoted message said:

    Thanks for all the replies. I've checked the pics on Sheldon's site. My
    frame has 'short horizontal dropouts' so I'll proceed with this project.

    On another note, is there any reason to NOT use the 39 tooth inner ring as
    the chainwheel for a fixed wheel conversion so long as the appropriate rear
    cog is used? I'd like to not blow the budget on this project while I build
    and learn!

    Thanks

    Nothing wrong with the 39t chainring.

    I'm running 48/17 chainring/cog combination. At times this is a bit
    much for me - even living in relatively flat Toronto.

    Regarding the relation between chainring and cog: I prefer a
    combination whereby the number of chainring teeth are not evenly
    divisible by the number of teeth on the cog. (For instance, I avoid a
    48/16 ring/cog setup.) This more evenly wears the ring, cog and chaing
    as, with each wheel revolution, the position of the cog vis-a-vis the
    chainring changes, allowing different cog teeth to bear the force of
    each downward pedal stroke.

    luke

    Report

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