Fixed wheel help

[TheThing]

Hi all, I've got an old cannondale bad boy hybrid that I've been wondering what to do with. I've Been thinking about converting it to a fixed wheeler. Can anyone shed some light on the parts I'd need? Any specific tools I'd need? Best sprocket size ect. Thanks in advance.

[timbob]

Casting a quick look over google images, I think the biggest issue will be that it has vertical dropouts where the rear wheel mounts and slides up into place - for a fixed gear bike, you’re after a frame with rear facing horizontal dropouts so you can fine tune the chain tension... I believe there are some trick hubs you can buy, which are elliptical or eccentric shaped to make this doable, but I’ve never looked into them.

Assuming you overcome this issue, or find a frame with good horizontal dropouts, you’ll need a rear wheel with spokes laced to a fixed sprocket hub with measurements that give a decently straight chain line from the chain set at the front to the sprocket on the back, and an appropriately sized chain ring for the front, likely some sort of track specific thing which might involve fiddling with different bottom bracket standards etc etc.

It’s good fun to play around with - I saved an old 1940s raleigh roadster from the skip and enjoyed fiddling in the garage to turn it into a fixed wheel vintage racer type thing. Read the various bike forums and get stuck in

[Banana Boy]

Depending on how you want it to look you can buy conversion kits with tensioners etc.

Or you can go ghetto setting the rear mech' in the desired position, shortening the chain as close as possible, binning off the front mech' and obsolete chain rings...

Gearing will depend on how big your legs are and the terrain you ride - use your bike without changing gear to gauge the best compromise that you can live with!

Living in a virtually pan flat Peterborough I run a 48/18t at the moment which is a little slow accelerating for me but I can easily cruise at 30-32kph, spinning out at 36-40kph. I have a 16t to try but maybe when I'm back to pre-collar bone break form.

[TheThing]

Thanks for the replies. Much appreciated. This sounds a bit more involved than i originally imagined. I Can see this getting expensive. As for looks I would like it to look as minimilistic as possible. As for gearing im not sure. I haven't done any cycling for a while now so dont want anything to heavy.

[AndrewEH1]

Remember there is a difference between single speed and fixed wheel

What do you want? That Gusset kit will only get you to single speed, if you want fixed wheel you're going to need a new hub too, or modify the existing one.

[gazza285]

For cheap and cheerful single/fixed fun I'd recommend a second hand Genesis Day One.

[Sheetmaself]

Fixie is great as you really can feel that there are no losses or slack when done properly.

But, and i speak from experience, after about 10 miles you just REALLY WANT TO STOP PEDDLING AND COAST FOR A WHILE!

[Tall_Paul]

I used to have a fixed gear bike, you'll get to the top of hills faster than anyone else, but you'll need the time to put your lungs back in and/or throw up at the top.

Also you'll learn to pedal at crazy cadences going down even moderate hills

I lived Peterborough for a few years, ideal for a fixie. Bristol on the other hand... Didn't stop me though

You only stop pedalling a couple of times before you remember, and it goes without saying you'll need clipless pedals.

[AnotherClarkey]

It may be a stupid question at this point but is your Bad Boy one of the ones with an eccentric bottom bracket? If this is the case then your task is as simple as buying a fixed rear wheel and an appropriate sprocket.

Of course the Cannondale EBB is one of the most evil devices know to humankind but that is another story.

[TheThing]

Thanks for all the replies guys. No unfortunately its not the one with the eccentric bottom bracket. That would of made life a lot easier if it were. Would like to be able to flit between fixed wheel and single speed if i wished so I may purchase a rear wheel already able to do both. Would like to keep the cost as little as possible though.

[AnotherClarkey]

You may get lucky using one of the (IMHO) less optimal techniques like a magic gear calculator or 'phantom sprocket' but the real solution to this is a wheel built up around a White ENO hub.

I have a Cannondale 1FG which I converted to fixed in 2004 - great fun and the one bike I always seem to come back to. A BAd Boy would make a great fixed gear bike.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Ever ridden fixed?

Double check you like it and your knees can handle it if you haven't ever ridden fixed

I love it, but if my bike position is a bit out (saddle too high or low by a cm or two) my knees start screaming

I prefer fixed but I find single speed is easier in the real world if I had to spec a bike with one or the other

[TheThing]

Thanks again fellas. Never ridden fixed before but would like to get a rear wheel that will allow me to flit between fixed and single speed. After a bit of research i think im going to go for an eccentric bottom bracket as this seems the cheapest and cleanest looking route. It will have to wait until after my holiday though until the work (spending) begins.