What old bike?

[Smiler1968]

Hi,

I have been commuting to work for 3 to 4 years now. Having got tired of having to pay someone else to maintain my bike, I bought a book and started to do it all myself. I find it very therapeutic tinkering in the garage and wanted to set myself a challenge. I'd like to build or restore my own bike. I quite fancy a flip flop type single speed beast. I have been on the lookout for an old bike/frame on Gumtree as a starting point. I would like it to be 700c when finished. Question- is there a particular type of frame/bike that lends itself to being converted? Can a 26" mountain bike frame take 700c? is it just a case of swapping out the forks? Is there enough clearance at the back? Is it not that simple to answer? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Smiler.

[greyingbeard]

If you fancy a singlespeed, the easiest answer is to buy one that been done and replace whichever bits you feel like.
But you want to tinker
Hers a suggested order of play, no need to follow it, do as you wish
Get a flip hub or wheel, measure spacing oln (or ask someone on here, 120,, common)
get a frame old enough to be say 120mm at rear dropouts (1950s '60s ish)
add parts as required. A complete bike will be the cheapest source of parts, chances are they all fit

no a mountain bike wont take a 700 or 27" wheel, it may well fit but you wont have any brakes
You could of course on a fixed wheel bike not have a rear brake but you need a front brake. This wont work on a single with freewheel

[Valbrona]

Do not tinker with the impossible.

[robgul]

... to add to this - you'll need a frame with horizontal rear dropouts in order to be able to pull the wheel back to tension the chain if it's single-speed or fixed (DO NOT even think about a chain tensioner with a vertical dropout frame - they are a real PITA)

Ideal would something along the lines of 1970/80 Dawes or Claud Butler that probably had 27" wheels* - and if the frame is steel it's easy to adjust the rear dropout width by cold-setting it.

* you may need to have long drop brakes, depends on clearances.

Rob

[greyingbeard]

Theres a nice looking bike in thread entitled "bike opinion" by poster "Iknow nothing".
Nowt to do with me, but might be a good starting point.