rear drop outs on a fixie

robd75
robd75 Posts: 147
edited December 2010 in Road general
I'm in the process of getting some bits together to build a fixie for the winter and have an old steel frame that I wanted to use but it has near vertical rear drop outs.
Could this still be used and keep the chain tension or would I need to get a track style frame with horizontal rear drop outs?
Thanks

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    how near vertical?

    if you can get sufficient tension with a half link (if needed) and the adjustment you have then yes.

    you need a bit more tension than you would think.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • robd75
    robd75 Posts: 147
    Maybe a photo would be a good idea here :roll:
    They slope slightly towards the rear (will post a pic later if that will help).
    Can you get tensioners for normal road drop outs?
    Thanks
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    dropf-camp.gifdropf-short.gif
    the above should be fine.

    dropf-semivert.gif
    might be ok

    dropf-vert.gif
    very unlikely.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    If it's just an old frame sell it and buy a 2nd hand bike with the right dropouts for around £20.
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • robd75
    robd75 Posts: 147
    Thanks for the replies or though not sure where you can buy a bike for £20 these days?

    I had another look at the drop outs tonight and their not vertical (that was another frame) there are more like the first one pictured just a little more horizontal and no hanger so guessing that it will be fine.
    Will it need any sort of tensioner though?
    Thanks[/quote]
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    My area has an adpaper where the bikes are around 20 average, I got a Raleigh roadster for 10 and a Falcon mtb, from when it was a much better brand, for 25 both with diagonal dropouts.

    Yours will be fine, you won't need a chain tensioner.
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • 45rpm
    45rpm Posts: 43
    I converted an old steel frame with the dropouts the same as the first pic on nicklouse's post. Ran great for many months, each time the chain got too stretched out just had to pull the axle back a bit in the dropout. Ended up having to take a link out eventually though.
  • cyco2
    cyco2 Posts: 593
    Just riding around the w3 because of the weather I found this...


    http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=chain+ ... =firefox-a
    .
    .
    .
    ...................................................................................................

    If you want to be a strong rider you have to do strong things.
    However if you train like a cart horse you'll race like one.
  • robd75
    robd75 Posts: 147
    Just had a look at the link, I don't think that you can run that fixed though I may be wrong?
    I actually finished it yesterday, but due to a cold have only been round the block. I have not put on any tugs or a tensioner yet as I will see how I go, but think I may put on tugs for piece of mind. If I do, I'm not sure what type I will get

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