J
Jimbo(san)
Guest
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So I have this old Italian road frame (Fiorelli) I aqquired back in the
early 80's.
I would say it probably was my first good ride (not great). I rode the
living hell out of it for years. One day on my way to work I got hit
and I figured the bike was toast. The light alloy wheels were toast and
the handle bar was bent.
I left the bike for a long time. Years later I became interested in
road biking and a friend at work convinced me to fix the bike up. The
frame seemed straight enough. I had the bike painted (a hideous color
combo of purple and silver... I asked for a solid color and the guy
thought he was doing me a favor.... I digress)
I knew nothing about how wheel sizes had changed or that downtube
shifters went the way of the dodo... I got the frame back and installed
an Ultegra headset and BB and then started to learn how this bike was
really out of date. I had already spent a sum of money on it and didn't
want to lose the investment.
Before it was widely popular (not like it is now) I converted it to a
fixie.
It was the perfect solution because I didn't have to worry about
brakes, shifters, cassettes or any of that. I guess you could say I
learned how to avoid spending more money on it. I had no idea of what I
was letting myself into. I rode the bike as a commuter for about 7
years and I loved it!
Years of riding, tinkering and learning by trial and error the frame
started getting visibly beaten. The drops look like they were ready to
give up the ghost and the seat post collar had seen better days.
I have since bought a dedicated Fixie and of all of my rides this is
still my favorite means of bike riding.
I would love to ressurect the old Italian job and have since thought
about having track drops welded on and a repair job done on the seat
collar...
I am pretty sure I can get a 700cc Fork to work and since I really
don't need a rear brake I think I could coax a 700cc wheel in the
back... The rear spacing might be interesting... Pretty much all theory
right now...
Any one care to input... Am I on a fools errand?
Right now it sits in my brother garage and waits... I would rather not
have wall art... Even if it becomes a beer getter I would be happy.
Jimbo(san)
So I have this old Italian road frame (Fiorelli) I aqquired back in the
early 80's.
I would say it probably was my first good ride (not great). I rode the
living hell out of it for years. One day on my way to work I got hit
and I figured the bike was toast. The light alloy wheels were toast and
the handle bar was bent.
I left the bike for a long time. Years later I became interested in
road biking and a friend at work convinced me to fix the bike up. The
frame seemed straight enough. I had the bike painted (a hideous color
combo of purple and silver... I asked for a solid color and the guy
thought he was doing me a favor.... I digress)
I knew nothing about how wheel sizes had changed or that downtube
shifters went the way of the dodo... I got the frame back and installed
an Ultegra headset and BB and then started to learn how this bike was
really out of date. I had already spent a sum of money on it and didn't
want to lose the investment.
Before it was widely popular (not like it is now) I converted it to a
fixie.
It was the perfect solution because I didn't have to worry about
brakes, shifters, cassettes or any of that. I guess you could say I
learned how to avoid spending more money on it. I had no idea of what I
was letting myself into. I rode the bike as a commuter for about 7
years and I loved it!
Years of riding, tinkering and learning by trial and error the frame
started getting visibly beaten. The drops look like they were ready to
give up the ghost and the seat post collar had seen better days.
I have since bought a dedicated Fixie and of all of my rides this is
still my favorite means of bike riding.
I would love to ressurect the old Italian job and have since thought
about having track drops welded on and a repair job done on the seat
collar...
I am pretty sure I can get a 700cc Fork to work and since I really
don't need a rear brake I think I could coax a 700cc wheel in the
back... The rear spacing might be interesting... Pretty much all theory
right now...
Any one care to input... Am I on a fools errand?
Right now it sits in my brother garage and waits... I would rather not
have wall art... Even if it becomes a beer getter I would be happy.
Jimbo(san)