Where to buy a restored single speed?
Discussion
After getting the road bug again and buying a high end carbon delight I fancy getting a vintage single/fixie/flipflop for popping to the pub/gym or shops that I won't be afraid to leave out of sight. I've been scanning ebay/gumtree but am struggling to find something suitable. No idea of price really, guess £250 something like that?
I'm 6"3 (not powerfully built, also not a director before you ask!) so I'm probably looking at a 62cm frame. I'm in Surrey but don't mind travelling into London if there's a shop somewhere that sells these kinds of thing?
Help much appreciated.
I'm 6"3 (not powerfully built, also not a director before you ask!) so I'm probably looking at a 62cm frame. I'm in Surrey but don't mind travelling into London if there's a shop somewhere that sells these kinds of thing?
Help much appreciated.
These guys;
http://www.type2detectives.org/vintagebikes/#
https://www.facebook.com/#!/T2DesignLabs?fref=ts
Bikes are circa £500 so a little over budget.
http://www.type2detectives.org/vintagebikes/#
https://www.facebook.com/#!/T2DesignLabs?fref=ts
Bikes are circa £500 so a little over budget.
Look for an 1980's steel framed Peugeot roadbike. They have near horizontal rear dropouts so you can easily convert to a single speed without resorting to a messy looking chain tensioner by adjusting the chain length to suit your gearing. Just keep the rear wheel tightly bolted in.
You can buy S/S conversion kits and single chainring bolts (to remove one of your chainrings, f/mech & changers) on ebay.
Cheaper and easier to keep it as a 12 speed however..
You can buy S/S conversion kits and single chainring bolts (to remove one of your chainrings, f/mech & changers) on ebay.
Cheaper and easier to keep it as a 12 speed however..
Try the Fixed Bicycle Co, based in Hampshire. I use them for parts and they are hugely helpful. www.fixei.co.uk is one of their websites. They has some nice-looking pre-built bikes available. If you see a set up you like the look of, I am sure they can tweak it to give you exactly what you are looking for. I deal with Ian.
Alternatively, build your own. I've put together a few for less than £200 with powder-coated frame included.
Good luck
Alternatively, build your own. I've put together a few for less than £200 with powder-coated frame included.
Good luck
try www.singlespeed.angelfire.com if they are still going they will have what you want. try brick lane cycles too but be prepared for a jaw drop when they give you a price.... and of course Hilary Stone....
Personally, i'd just find a nice 10 speed raleigh/falcon/peugeot and keep it standard. this fixie fad will be over soon and you will regret not having kept the bike as it was in all its retro loveliness...
Personally, i'd just find a nice 10 speed raleigh/falcon/peugeot and keep it standard. this fixie fad will be over soon and you will regret not having kept the bike as it was in all its retro loveliness...
try this site. you might get some help, assuming they can get over their own smug self-importance as I found out when I went on there for a short while earlier this year :-)
http://www.lfgss.com/
Type 2 detectives (as per link in earlier post) specialise in VW's, they are a garage, workshop, VW sales, now bike sales etc. Paul is the main guy there and him and his team are top blokes, worth a shot if you have the budget and want something quirky, good luck
http://www.lfgss.com/
Type 2 detectives (as per link in earlier post) specialise in VW's, they are a garage, workshop, VW sales, now bike sales etc. Paul is the main guy there and him and his team are top blokes, worth a shot if you have the budget and want something quirky, good luck
Edited by seadragon on Thursday 11th October 13:16
Edited by seadragon on Thursday 11th October 13:17
Edited by seadragon on Thursday 11th October 13:17
pablo said:
Personally, i'd just find a nice 10 speed raleigh/falcon/peugeot and keep it standard. this fixie fad will be over soon and you will regret not having kept the bike as it was in all its retro loveliness...
^^ This ^^S
le Speed = 
F
ed Gear = 
For years now, bikes have evolved, with ever more reliable and usable gears. Then all of a sudden, trendy muppets decide to take that evolution back to the dark ages. What next?? The 'Pinarello Dogma Dandy Horse'?? The 'Specialized S-Works Velocipede'??
pablo is right. This fad will burn itself out, shortly after ruining a load of perfectly serviceable vintage steel bikes.
Maybe, to take this nonsense to it's logical conclusion, I should go out and buy a nice AC/Shelby Cobra, take out the nasty V8 lump, and replace it with, say, an elderly 100 bhp (75 kW) two-litre overhead cam straight-six engine. Then I could call it, ooh, for arguments sake, an 'Ace'.
NOW tell me F
ed or Sle Speed bikes are a good idea.yellowjack said:
IroningMan said:
The notion of a 'single speed' has given me the impetus and domestic justification for hauling my old 1980s Dawes out of the shed and restoring it as my n+1 bike.
Singlespeed is therefore a good thing.
I shall refer you to my earlier commentSinglespeed is therefore a good thing.
yellowjack said:
Meh!
Roman said:
yellowjack said:
IroningMan said:
The notion of a 'single speed' has given me the impetus and domestic justification for hauling my old 1980s Dawes out of the shed and restoring it as my n+1 bike.
Singlespeed is therefore a good thing.
I shall refer you to my earlier commentSinglespeed is therefore a good thing.
yellowjack said:
Meh!
I resemble that remark.
yellowjack said:
Roman said:
yellowjack said:
IroningMan said:
The notion of a 'single speed' has given me the impetus and domestic justification for hauling my old 1980s Dawes out of the shed and restoring it as my n+1 bike.
Singlespeed is therefore a good thing.
I shall refer you to my earlier commentSinglespeed is therefore a good thing.
yellowjack said:
Meh!
I resemble that remark.
So nothing, really. It's your bike, so if you want to fk it up convert it to single speed, go right ahead. In the meantime, I'll feel free to continue to express my opinion on this FORUM, whilst accepting that other MEMBERS may hold different opinions to my own. However wrong those opinions may be 
k it upyellowjack said:
Maybe, to take this nonsense to it's logical conclusion, I should go out and buy a nice AC/Shelby Cobra,
take out the nasty V8 lump, and replace it with, say, an elderly 100 bhp (75 kW) two-litre overhead cam straight-six engine. Then I could call it, ooh, for arguments sake, an 'Ace'.
NOW tell me Fed or Sle Speed bikes are a good idea.
Think you may have answered your own question there mate...take out the nasty V8 lump, and replace it with, say, an elderly 100 bhp (75 kW) two-litre overhead cam straight-six engine. Then I could call it, ooh, for arguments sake, an 'Ace'.
NOW tell me F
ed or Sle Speed bikes are a good idea.FWIW on newer frames with more modern geo I think a chain tensioner actually makes it look better.
I wouldn't be too woried about 'ruining a classic' there's lots about and if it looks like it could ruin it take the bits off that you don't need, oil them up and stick them in a drawer for later.
I keep idly looking at Langsters and the like for the commute and messing around on the weekends. I like the idea of significantly less maintenance and hassle but just don't have room for one.
I wouldn't be too woried about 'ruining a classic' there's lots about and if it looks like it could ruin it take the bits off that you don't need, oil them up and stick them in a drawer for later.
I keep idly looking at Langsters and the like for the commute and messing around on the weekends. I like the idea of significantly less maintenance and hassle but just don't have room for one.
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