What are you talking about?
Let me tell you! I know quite a few people that have older (70's-80's) road bikes handing up in their garage collecting dust. My Uncle did, and that's how I got my first "adult" bike, for free. I rode it stock for quite a long time, but soon enough parts started to break. It's not always easy to find some of those older parts. Instead of trying to restore the bike back to original condition, I decided to try something a bit easier, and a bit cheaper- that is, convert it to a single speed.
You will want to make sure that your bicycle has horizontal (or at least mostly-horizontal) dropouts. Vertical dropouts will not allow you to maintain proper chain tension (unless you get a lucky "unicorn gear." Vertical dropouts do now allow you to slide the rear wheel forward or backward - and you will likely need a chain tensioner.
Here is what I did:
-Removed wheels and derailleurs
-Removed old 10-speed chain
-Removed old brakes
-Removed bottom bracket/ cranks (optional)
-Bought/ installed a new wheel set (with a single speed hub)
-Bought/ installed a single speed chain
-Bought/ installed a BMX sprocket
-Bought/ installed a square tapered bottom bracket (optional, specialty tool required)
-Bought/ installed new crank arms (optional)
-Bought/ installed BMX style brakes
All said and done, I paid about $150 total for the bike. You will need one specialty tool for the bottom bracket (square taper bottom bracket removal tool), but you can find them for pretty cheap online. Also, keep an eye out for bikes for sale that have already been converted. Sometimes, the parts list is worth more than the asking price... Research is key!
Why single speed?
-Simple
-Cheap/ effective
-Easy to fix/ repair
-More reliable, less parts that can break
-I've found that I can ALMOST always get away with one gear
-Fun to build
-Fun and easy to ride
-You will learn a lot!
Why should you do this?
-It makes use of a bike that was not being used before
-Easily customizable (colors, gear ratio, style, etc.)
-Save money for parking (School parking is $160... a quarter at UW!)
-Good exercise, single speed makes you work for those hills
-Relatively cheap, and extremely fun
-You will learn something new
-Multipurpose (commute, pub hop, ride with friends/ family, long distance exercise, etc.)
-You can make it a fixed gear bicycle, and race around the velodrome
You will want to make sure that your bicycle has horizontal (or at least mostly-horizontal) dropouts. Vertical dropouts will not allow you to maintain proper chain tension (unless you get a lucky "unicorn gear." Vertical dropouts do now allow you to slide the rear wheel forward or backward - and you will likely need a chain tensioner.
Here is what I did:
-Removed wheels and derailleurs
-Removed old 10-speed chain
-Removed old brakes
-Removed bottom bracket/ cranks (optional)
-Bought/ installed a new wheel set (with a single speed hub)
-Bought/ installed a single speed chain
-Bought/ installed a BMX sprocket
-Bought/ installed a square tapered bottom bracket (optional, specialty tool required)
-Bought/ installed new crank arms (optional)
-Bought/ installed BMX style brakes
All said and done, I paid about $150 total for the bike. You will need one specialty tool for the bottom bracket (square taper bottom bracket removal tool), but you can find them for pretty cheap online. Also, keep an eye out for bikes for sale that have already been converted. Sometimes, the parts list is worth more than the asking price... Research is key!
Why single speed?
-Simple
-Cheap/ effective
-Easy to fix/ repair
-More reliable, less parts that can break
-I've found that I can ALMOST always get away with one gear
-Fun to build
-Fun and easy to ride
-You will learn a lot!
Why should you do this?
-It makes use of a bike that was not being used before
-Easily customizable (colors, gear ratio, style, etc.)
-Save money for parking (School parking is $160... a quarter at UW!)
-Good exercise, single speed makes you work for those hills
-Relatively cheap, and extremely fun
-You will learn something new
-Multipurpose (commute, pub hop, ride with friends/ family, long distance exercise, etc.)
-You can make it a fixed gear bicycle, and race around the velodrome
First BikeThis bike was given to me by my Uncle George. The frame was made by Takara in the 1980's. This features a steel frame, with diagonal dropouts. This bike is setup with 700c deep dish rims, and a fixed cog. I replaced the old bottom bracket/ cranks with a square taper bottom bracket and aluminum cranks. I kept the original front brake, and removed the back brake for now, since your legs become your brakes with a fixed gear bicycle. Overall, very cheap bicycle.
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Second BikeThis is a 1980's Bridgestone bicycle frame. The bike had been painted by the previous owner, and I wasn't a big fan. I ended up stripping it and giving it a coat of black with custom camouflage fork and rear triangle to match the camouflage Answer handlebars. This bike still has 27" rims. I replaced the old steel rims with lighter aluminum ones, and put a gum-wall tire on front. I replaced the stem with a quill to threadless stem adapter, and a 31.8mm bar clamp stem. I could then use some 760mm wide flat bars. This bike is the ultimate short distance commuter and brewery hopper.
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What To Do With Old PartsYou might ask yourself- what do I do with the old parts? DON'T THROW THEM AWAY (unless they are completely unsalvageable)! You can try to sell them to make some money back, use them for an art project, or donate them to a bike parts shop (such as Recycled Cycles). There are many people who restore old bicycles back to original condition, and they would love to get their hands on some of these parts. The cool thing about the bicycle community, is that everyone is out to help each other. It's a good community to be involved in. ALSO NOTE: some local bike shops accept bicycle donations, and will find a good home for your bicycle. Someone would be extremely grateful to own the bicycle that you are considering throwing in the dumpster.
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