Mountain bike conversion

[StatusRacing]

If you want a fixie you'd be better off buying an old road bike, then you need to buy a rear wheel (&front if you want a matching pair) with a single gear hub, you could remove the two other sprokets off the front and run the smaller one or if you're doing it proper you'd get a new set of cranks and suitable gear. With the old road bikes it's nicer imo coz you can just cut the handle bars up etc but with these mountain bikes it's not really worth it after buying all the shit to convert it over you could have bought a new fixie. Plus it'll look gay IMO

Also you being 6'2 on a 22" frame is going to be big and akward ;p The're also 24 or 26" wheels btw.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BARBICAN-ROAD-BIKE-RETRO-VINTAGE-/320743950631?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4aadd44927

+ new wheels and cranks, chop the handle bars, done

No idea what Moose is talking about... I've built several single speeds (both road and mtb) and never had to buy a new wheel. Also, you've got semi-vertical dropouts I believe. Sheldon Brown has a pile and a 1/2 of info on conversions. Google his name, you'll find his site.

I've also never bought new anything beside the rear rear sprocket and chain when doing conversions. I generally spend under $100, including the bike. I don't even bother buying new chain ring bolts/spacers. Dremels were invented for a reason, and I paid good money for mine.

[kaidotech]

No idea what Moose is talking about... I've built several single speeds (both road and mtb) and never had to buy a new wheel. Also, you've got semi-vertical dropouts I believe. Sheldon Brown has a pile and a 1/2 of info on conversions. Google his name, you'll find his site.

I've also never bought new anything beside the rear rear sprocket and chain when doing conversions. I generally spend under $100, including the bike. I don't even bother buying new chain ring bolts/spacers. Dremels were invented for a reason, and I paid good money for mine.

This was before I swapped to a single speed. Near perfect horizontal dropout w/o hanger.


I read Sheldon's page like a year ago, and Ive already finished the SP conversion so I dont need any info on it, but I appreciate the recommendation. At this point Im just making it look nice. So far I've spent $40 including the bike. I am buying the chain ($8) grips ($12) and seat ($12) new, and my bars used. I should come in under $100. Havent looked for the slick tires yet. I want to find some from Maxxis.

[StatusRacing]

Ah, yeah those are horiz. d/os. I always think of track ends when I think of horizontals. I'm not a bike nerd, but like you I was into BMX when I was younger so I know how to work on bikes. I've been thinking about selling Shogun to a hipster and building an MTB but I just can't bear to part w/ the super smooth sailing from my road bike. I suppose I could build another bike... But I just moved to an area that's mostly road bike territory. A few months ago I lived about 2 miles from the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, so that would have made perfect sense.

Are you s/s or fixed? I prefer s/s... I'm not in nearly good enough shape for a fixie haha

[kaidotech]

Ah, yeah those are horiz. d/os. I always think of track ends when I think of horizontals. I'm not a bike nerd, but like you I was into BMX when I was younger so I know how to work on bikes. I've been thinking about selling Shogun to a hipster and building an MTB but I just can't bear to part w/ the super smooth sailing from my road bike. I suppose I could build another bike... But I just moved to an area that's mostly road bike territory. A few months ago I lived about 2 miles from the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, so that would have made perfect sense.

Are you s/s or fixed? I prefer s/s... I'm not in nearly good enough shape for a fixie haha

Singlespeed with a freewheel hub. Before I started all this I was a bit ignorant to the term and thought fixie meant singlespeed. I almost ordered a fixie hub... man that would have sucked. I had a bike when I was 7 that was a pedal-backwards to brake and that was fun... when I was 7. I'm hoping when its all said and done it just looks like a big BMX bike, but I wanted that extra size and height since I'll be taking it to Breckenridge, and Vail, CO soon.

[kaidotech]

Went down to the bikeshop today and brought in the rest of the parts I had. So long old Diamondback frame. You got me down the XXDiamond at Vail without getting me killed.

I almost kept the forks in that box just for the sheer cool factor of them looking like coil-overs. Even the guy at the bike shop said he had never seen coils over the shocks on a bike fork. Granted they were under the rubber boots before, but fuck ugly boots. The fork was waaaay too long for my frame though.



Tried out a GT fork but it didnt work either so I'm going to keep the one on it for now.



I kinda need an opinion at this point. Which bars would look best on this frame, baring in mind future slick tires, white frame paint and mint/light blue parts?

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[benz88]

just spray the frame 1 color with a bomb and it'll look 100X better. Awesome progress, I really want to build one.

[kaidotech]

just spray the frame 1 color with a bomb and it'll look 100X better. Awesome progress, I really want to build one.

You mean like sticker bomb it? I dont get it

[Jersh]

i think he means just buy a can of spray paint that you like and use that.

[firelizard3]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Spray%20Bomb

Not usually a noun, but you get the point..

[Anonymoose]

Cut those coils and slam the bitch! lol

[kaidotech]

Got the beefy BMX headset in finally, but it was not the advertised size. The stem clamp is 1-1/8" but the handlebar clamp is 1". It was supposed to be the same, so now I've gotta wait for a set handlebars that fit 1".

In other news, I **** SUMMITRACING Still waiting on backordered wheels to finish my truck. At least this project is coming together.

[bobbyjones]

i'm so lost and i couldn't keep following this thread, what are you looking to do with this bike?
if your looking to actually ride that bike on and thing besides a bike trail i would bet on it snapping in half.

and just an fyi. i'm over 6.2", i ride a 20" bike, 20.75 top tube, 175mm cranks, 28" rise handle bars, 20" bmx bikes are much more comfortable then they once were.

[kaidotech]

i'm so lost and i couldn't keep following this thread, what are you looking to do with this bike?
if your looking to actually ride that bike on and thing besides a bike trail i would bet on it snapping in half.

and just an fyi. i'm over 6.2", i ride a 20" bike, 20.75 top tube, 175mm cranks, 28" rise handle bars, 20" bmx bikes are much more comfortable then they once were.

Ride it and make it look good. Not sure where you're lost, but the thread is a bit TL;DNR. Also why would it snap in half? Ive already been jumping it in a dirt park, it's not so much as creaked. I will be taking it with me to Vail, Colorado to do downhill. - when that time comes I will purchase a different front fork, but for now it's non-suspension.

[kaidotech]

Well, wasnt happy with the bike when I finished it, so Im throwing on a bigger suspension fork in the front and leaving it aside for my trip to Vail. I'm going to keep the parts I've bought as well as the 26" wheels with the BMX single speed hub and put them into a 20" BMX frame. I happen to have a spare 26" fork that is 1", threadless, and a 1" headset, and 1" diameter 3" rise bars.

Has anyone put 26" wheels on a BMX? Looks easy with the right frame in the rear.

[bobbyjones]

Has anyone put 26" wheels on a BMX? Looks easy with the right frame in the rear.

i don't think your going to find any bmx frame with a chain stay long enough to house a 26" wheel