Fixie advice required

pinarellokid

My current winter bike is an 84 Raleigh and a nice ride too
Iv got it in my head I want a fixie and have been trying to ride around
Without changing gear to see if I can keep it up and be fit enough
I'm sort of decided on 52 front and either 17 or 19 on rear

What would be the closest single speed chainset and cog I should be riding ??

Is there a formula to work it out or can someone in the know save me
Building up a collection of the wrong gears

Cheers

pete_s

Yah, there is the Gain Ratio Calculator on Sheldon's site which makes it really easy to work out the sprocket sizes required for equivalent gears.

nicklouse

Well first off are the drop outs horizontal?

You should enable to sort out with the ratio you seem to have settled on.

pinarellokid

Luckily the drop outs are horizontal but not rear entry
Does it matter??

I'm actually looking to buy a new frame so I don't butcher this old Raleigh as its in really nice condition

Undecided wether to buy a track frame or and old Reynolds/ Columbus frame to use
Like the idea of bullhorn bars and if I have to have a brake only a front one fitted
Grind off all other gear brake ferrels and repaint
To give a clean look

Going out on a wim here so will be buying the right parts
Slowly as I'm not in a rush

Already got a nice Sunday ride and a commute

nicklouse

Nope tugs can be used.

And a 52T is very big for a fixed unless you are on total flat all the time.

pinarellokid

Looking at either 46 / 17. Or 48 / 19

52 would kill me lol

How can lugs be used ?? How would the chain be tensioned ??

pinarellokid

Don't like the idea of the chain slack being taken up with one of them
Chain tension things
Will mess the clean look I'm after

Unless there is another way

nicklouse

pinarellokid wrote:

Don't like the idea of the chain slack being taken up with one of them
Chain tension things
Will mess the clean look I'm after

Unless there is another way

It is not. You do not use a tensioner on a fixed.but tugs some times.

pinarellokid

Maybe I don't know enough !!

So what actually is a tug ??

pinarellokid

Found explanation on YouTube
Ideal if I can get my hands on a track frame

nicklouse

why a track frame?

any will do.

pete_s

Track frames are easy to get hold of and there are loads of track-bike based components to choose from when it comes to setting up your drivetrain. The fixed gear market is a bit limited when it comes to mixing and matching parts for conversion bikes, but by no means impossible.

pinarellokid

Just wanted to start by finding out about gearing for now
Looks like I have that sorted now so I can start to look for the other pieces I need
Not even found a frame to start the build on just want a light frame really
May hold out for a nice frame to come along just after something interesting I think
If nothing comes along I can pick a Dolan one up I'm sure
So nothing's decided yet

Anyone got a cheap frame hanging around and a chainset??
Already for bars wheels and seat

cougie

52x17 is way too big. you'll struggle with headwinds and hills? That's an 80 inch gear. If you spin at 90 rpm then you'll be doing 21 mph everywhere. Is that a likely speed for you.


I've been riding 42x 17 for the last decade - I can keep up with club mates on their cf race bikes and out climb most.

iPete

I run 51x17 in the summer and 18 in the winter. I'd say a 52 is too big if you want to change cogs as the jump in GI will be huge. 17 to 18 on mine is a bit far but it's all part of the fun, changing cogs and rings is easy.

If you got no tools yet, I wish I'd got the Velo Solo Combined Chain Whip from the offset, http://velosolo.co.uk/shoptool.html

I think the Dolan is going to be the best value for money or maybe a pearson touche. I'm looking to switch my trek t1 out for a cinelli vigorelli soon.

pinarellokid

No fella I'm happy with 46 x 17 I think !!!!

Pituophis

pinarellokid wrote:

Just wanted to start by finding out about gearing for now
Looks like I have that sorted now so I can start to look for the other pieces I need
Not even found a frame to start the build on just want a light frame really
May hold out for a nice frame to come along just after something interesting I think
If nothing comes along I can pick a Dolan one up I'm sure
So nothing's decided yet

Anyone got a cheap frame hanging around and a chainset??
Already for bars wheels and seat

Well, that's one way of finding out you don't want the one you have had off me
Drop it off later

Monty Dog

Worth experimenting until you know what works best for you - I used to TT on 52x16 fixed - way too big a gear for general riding unless you live in Norfolk. For general riding, try a gear in the region of 68-72" - you can find plenty of gear-inch calculators online to work out the chainring / sprocket combo. I use 46x17 around these parts as there's a few 20%-ers I have to contend with.

pinarellokid

Amazing what a day brings managed to bag a Shane Sutton special frame
Looks the bollox

pinarellokid

Pituophis wrote:

pinarellokid wrote:

Just wanted to start by finding out about gearing for now
Looks like I have that sorted now so I can start to look for the other pieces I need
Not even found a frame to start the build on just want a light frame really
May hold out for a nice frame to come along just after something interesting I think
If nothing comes along I can pick a Dolan one up I'm sure
So nothing's decided yet

Anyone got a cheap frame hanging around and a chainset??
Already for bars wheels and seat

Well, that's one way of finding out you don't want the one you have had off me
Drop it off later

your surosa has fixed wheel location and wont be abl to take up chain slack so it wont be suitable for
a fixie
but as the forks are so sexie and the frame is to die for i will have to go into the bike bank for future use
not sure when but i cant give it you back im afraid
far too nice

funds coming your way way
ASAP

:shock: :shock: