Bling my pub bike (don't laugh)

[WinstonWolf]

So, I'm thinking I want a fixie style bike and the pub bike (bless it) might make a suitable candidate...



It's got a lovely chrome frame that cleans up a treat...



I've got a Brooks Swift on my roadie which means I can buy a Swallow for that and swap it over.

I'm thinking straight forks, bullhorn bars wrapped with tape, 700 wheels and an Alfine hub (I actually need gears) and some funky brakes

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pivot-Callipers-Brake-Leve...

Anyone got any suggestions or reasons why it can't be done? (Other than don't do it!)

[Gizmoish]

Well, the first reason why 700c wheels won't work on a 26" frame should be obvious the first time you need to stop.


Apart from that, you'll put a £100 saddle on a £20 bike?

[HereBeMonsters]

And you'll need something to tension the chain as you don't have horizontal dropouts.

[WinstonWolf]

Of course, then it'll be a £120 bike

Frame also has normal brake mounts and the forks would be changing so I think that's covered.

Besides, the current brakes are all plastic (sic) it doesn't so much stop as slow down gradually...

[HereBeMonsters]

WinstonWolf said:

Of course, then it'll be a £120 bike

Frame also has normal brake mounts and the forks would be changing so I think that's covered.

Besides, the current brakes are all plastic (sic) it doesn't so much stop as slow down gradually...

But if you put bigger wheels on it (assuming they fit, which they likely wouldn't in any case) then the brakes will not align up with the rim correctly.

[anonymous-user]

If you want a single speed without a tensioner, just bugger about with the chain length and the sprockets till you find something that is rideable without a struggle. Keep removing a link at a time till you find one that suits, my pub bike is something like 32:17 which is fine, only a bit of slack in the chain but you could even run a half length chain link to get a preferred ratio or remove the slack.

IMO the pub bike should be a shed, once it's a bit blingy it will start to attract attention, mine is a beat up old Saracen rigid mtb, just a front brake, no gears, no shiny bits.

[gazza285]

HereBeMonsters said:

But if you put bigger wheels on it (assuming they fit, which they likely wouldn't in any case) then the brakes will not align up with the rim correctly.

Our youth's last cyclocross bike had 26" rims, same Etrto size as MTB wheels and cantilever brakes. When it was road racing time a pair of 700c wheels went in with dual pivot brakes.

[Watchman]

BIANCO said:

I miss my pub bike got it looking quite good. But got a bit tipsy in one pub then moved to another and decided to hide it somewhere. Got a bit drunk and forgot all about it on the way out and walked home and couldn’t remember where I put it the next day

LOL. My Dad's friend did that with a car once. Turned out he'd parked on a neighbour's drive but hadn't stopped until he'd gone through the fence and half into the garden.

Drinking and driving wasn't such a "thing" in the 1970s. Funny story but I'm glad it's not the done thing these days.

[Watchman]

pablo said:

mine is a beat up old Saracen rigid mtb, just a front brake, no gears, no shiny bits.

Mine's based on a once-rusty (gears and chain) Saracen too but once I'd cleaned it up and converted it to single speed, it probably owed me £300. If ever my wife found out.

Edited by Watchman on Wednesday 3rd September 19:40

[anonymous-user]

Its not like I live in Scumbag Heights but its nice to know this thing wont get a second glance wherever I leave it.

Pub bike and its bodged single speed conversion


Nice uncluttered front end

[WinstonWolf]

gazza285 said:

HereBeMonsters said:

But if you put bigger wheels on it (assuming they fit, which they likely wouldn't in any case) then the brakes will not align up with the rim correctly.

Our youth's last cyclocross bike had 26" rims, same Etrto size as MTB wheels and cantilever brakes. When it was road racing time a pair of 700c wheels went in with dual pivot brakes.

They'll fit, I borrowed my daughter's wheel for a min.



The frame's polish up alright considering she's not been cleaned since the day I bought her





Someone'll probably nick it now...

[anonymous-user]

I like this project

Someone I know is doing a similar thing... bought a rigid MTB frame, polished it, fitted single speed, bling rims, single brake etc.


But.. tut tut at 'pub bike'... you boys know full well the penalties for drinking and riding!

[WinstonWolf]

The biggest expense would be going Alfine, can you build a fixie style bike with a derailleur?

I found a cracking looking cast front wheel on Amazon yesterday, can't find it now

[Dammit]

Alfine is nice but spendy, if you want the stripped back style of a fixed gear bicycle how about the Sturmey Archer S3X hub?

[WinstonWolf]

It's a possibility but as unlikely as it looks this thing flies and I've no idea how as it weighs a bloody ton

[Barchettaman]

Winston, that bike has lots going for it but as a potential fixie-style conversion it's just about the worst possible candidate I can think of.

Leave as is.

[gazza285]

NinjaPower said:

But.. tut tut at 'pub bike'... you boys know full well the penalties for drinking and riding!

Do I, new bar tape needed after every ride, and my knees and elbows are shot...

[Google [bot]]

http://revolights.com/

[WinstonWolf]

Barchettaman said:

Winston, that bike has lots going for it but as a potential fixie-style conversion it's just about the worst possible candidate I can think of.

Leave as is.

I fitted Motobecane moped forks on my Chopper when I was a teenager. Just because something is a stupid idea doesn't mean I'm not going to do it
That thing could wheelie the whole way to school, the hard part was getting the front wheel on the deck.

[richardxjr]

Must be singlespeed. Save weight, less complex after a few , get stronger.