How To Build A Cheap Fixie From A Vintage Bike
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- čas přidán 22. 11. 2014
- I show in detail how to build a cheap fixed gear bike. I had multiple viewers asking for a video like this, and it was something I wanted to do. I used a threaded cog and lock ring to replace the freewheel on the original wheel. This style of conversion is called a "suicide fixie" or "suicide hub". The big risk with this design is the cog might spin off if you skid really hard. SO YOU MUST LEAVE A BRAKE OR BRAKES INSTALLED WITH THIS SETUP! TWO BRAKES WOULD PROBABLY BE BETTER. This was much cheaper than buying a new wheel with a track hub. The threaded cog cost about $6.50 on ebay. To keep the chain line straight, I re-spaced the hub and redished the wheel. I spent very little money building this bike. I used a bike that I had lying around, and I had a lot of the parts already. Many more things could be done with the bike. I want to paint it maybe next spring. The bike is a Schwinn Sports Tourer from the early 70's. *You build and ride a bike like this at your own risk.
Now as to the quick release hub. According to Sheldon Brown, using a quick release hub is NOT a problem for a fixie. He does advise that is you are going to use a quick release wheel, "to use a good quality enclosed-cam skewer." I have ridden it enough to say one way or the other.
As to the Missing Link master link. I trust them more than pressing pins. And why would they be an issue? Pulling the link causes them to lock. It doesn't matter which direction they are pulled. The rivets have to be pushed together with some force to cause it to unlock. Not sure how that is supposed to happen just because it is on a fixie.
Check out a newer video I made building a single speed:
• How To Build A Single ...
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Due to factors beyond the control of ShyFlirt1/RJTheBikeGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. ShyFlirt1/RJTheBikeGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. ShyFlirt1/RJTheBikeGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ShyFlirt1/RJTheBikeGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ShyFlirt1/RJTheBikeGuy. - Jak na to + styl
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The hand brake should go on back wheel so you don't flip the bike and land on your head! The bike has 70% of it's stopping force to the front of the bike so to counter that difference you always install the primary braking force to the back in order to solve that problem!
Quick question: if I want to take my bike apart (old bike). What equipment do I need?
@@edwarddavies4745 Tools. They will vary for different bikes.
@@fatjeezus1953 not on a fixie you’re incorrect
@@fatjeezus1953 222222222
Sad reality there are only a handful of channels on CZcams that provide such extensive coverage on builds, thanks again for going that extra mile 👍
these weeks i m restoring an old bike lady, for my wife. In the serch to find old tires measures, i found this chanel and i´m hooked on these videos. Many of the works shown here are not new to me, i speak of the simples services. Others had no idea how to do and i have to thank Mr. RJ the patience and willingness to teach us. Congratulations on the channel.
I didn't know I needed this video today, but turns out I did. I was just stuck with the chain line in my single speed conversion and was thinking I might need to buy a cassette wheel, a new chainring and spacers. Glad to hear that I can work with what I have now. A million thanks! I won't get into truing the wheel now though, I'll go to a repairman.
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*
This is one of the best bike building tutorials I've seen.
Hey, if you like that, check out my first CZcams video!
czcams.com/video/2MM3-FB4VEI/video.html
A trick I learned on rim brakes,is to push the brakes so that the pads are against the rim and pull a the brake leaver approximate 1/3 pull then tighten the pinch bolt tight. This should put it right were you need it. Great video RJ.
The info in this video about calculating and adjusting chain line is fascinating and the way you explain it is very well done. Your videos are the absolute best and I’ve been watching them for years.
I have a friend who does this all the time on road bikes. He buys vintage bikes going back up to 70 years or so for next to nothing when he can find them. He had done 11 of them so far as a hobby. Then he rides them, one at a time of course, almost daily for up to 21 miles. He goes all the way. He buys all new parts on Amazon, including new wheels. He replaces just about everything but the frame. He strips the paint and repaints. All new cables and wraps,. And he is able to find new decals. The bikes look shiny new when he gets done. He also adds extensive new lighting and personal protection features which he also buys from Amazon.. You have to do that these days. And he never leaves the bikes unattended even if all locked up. They will get stolen anyway. even just the seat. Bike thieves carry massive bolt cutters. He says one target is just the wheels.
hi, im am a bike builder from aberdeen, scotland. I'm very impressed with your video, i have referred a lot of my friend to it i regards to building their own fixes, thanks for a great in depth tutorial.
john christie Thanks!
RJ, loved this video tutorial. Your attention to details is evident, and that goes for your camera angles as much as it does the work you performed! I'm a lifelong biking enthusiast and recently purchased a Park maintenance stand and that handy handlebar brace to take things to the next level. I just became your latest subscriber and look forward to following along with your exploits.
RJ's tutorials are such a major resource -- thank you dude, I finally have a fixie!
You have the best How to videos for newbies. It's like those "Fill-in blanks" for dummies.
You surprised me when you put a lockring on an ordinary hub. Then surprised me again when you properly redished the wheel. Good work. I still think it's safer to use a cheap track wheel rather than converting a standard one. You did mention it's not as safe but still... The cost of a single speed hub or wheel is well worth it.
It is better to measure the distance from the far side of the seat tube then measure the tube itself. Subtract half the diameter of the tube to get the proper measurement. Lots easier and more accurate than trying measure in the middle by guessing where the middle is.
Excellent tutorial, enjoyed watching it.
This video will help a lot of people looking to build a fixie without breaking the bank.
Thanks R.J.
By far the best bike diy guy on CZcams! Thank you sir.👍
1 hour felt like 15 min when watching this video. I wanna build a fixie now. Great job!
FIXIE bicycle really suck and too bad you have never known about geared bikes like 3,5,6,7,8,10,12 onward that whip your foolish ass because you don't know geared bicycles at all do you?
@@TheSirjohn2012 It's okay to enjoy more than one kind of bike. Hopefully you've let go of some of that weird, pointless anger over the past 10 months.
@@TheSirjohn2012 no thanks i had a geared bike that bored me so i gave it to my dad. I enjoy the challenge of riding fixed...plus i love how low maintenance and simple it is
I can't wait to see the finished project! Paint and all! : )
I just discovered this channel and watched this one hour long fixie build video. I enjoyed every second of it, the learning effect is massive. Will check out all the other bike videos. What I really liked is that it's made with an old bike. A lot of bike videos use very modern bikes and I can't relate or use the videos with these systems 100%, because of the old bikes I inherited.
I remember building my first fixie over 20 years ago. CZcams is such a great tool. :)
Gabriel Tiri, I measured about 16.99mm or rounded to 17mm. I needed to moved the cog over 6mm to be in line with the chainring. 17mm minus 6mm is 11mm. So I added a 6mm spacer on one side and replaced the 17mm spacer with an 11mm spacer.
Building a Fixie:The Movie
RJ, your the Bob Ross of bike builds. Excellent information. Thanks.
This is the best video I've seen on a conversion like this, I came for one little part and watched the whole thing. I learned a lot and it helps because I'm doing the same thing right now. Thanks, you're the man.
I watched this, to get ideas, and you inspired me :) Best hour of my life spent on youtube! Top job, thank you!
This is the first 1 hour long video I've ever had patience to watch. Very well done. Thanks!!!
I for one found this video absolutely fascinating. What an excellent job you did on this conversion. I enjoyed watching this transformation.I also liked and understood everything you said and how you explained it.Great job RJ.
Thank you very much for the effort and patience for explaining yourself though out the video and comments. My Uncle left me an old ten speed that shockingly fits me being 6'4" and I think I will do this to ride at a velodrome. Very well done.
I don't have any interest in having a fixie myself, but really enjoyed the video regardless, great job.
The Aharanha you watched an hour video for nothing
It's a free course on mechanics. Many of us enjoy this channel even if we will not put into practice many of the lessons taught.
@@Krizzee for nothing? Thats bullsh*t, just a bike mechanic converting a rb to a fixie,
Honestly not sure why I'm watching this as I ride a legitimate track bike, but it's a very well made informative video. Chapeau!
Converting a good bike to 100 years old technology, what a brilliant idea!!!
This is super detailed which is perfect for me. I'm trying to fix up an old rusty bike for the first time and don't know the basics which this video has plenty of. Thanks a tonne.
Why can't some bike mechanics be as friendly like you. I've tried to build a Dixie for my nephew as a graduation present and the bike mechanics that I've talked to have not been very helpful. They have like this superior ego Attitude like they're the shit.
Was interested by the title, greatly turned off by the length of the video. When I saw it was over an hour I thought it would be incredibly boring. Gave it a go and wound up watching the entire thing. Surprisingly interesting watch! The detail was quite nice to see, very cool stuff. Thanks :D
Even with a track hub the cog can break off (especially with cheaper aluminum hub) or the chain may fall off e.g. because of some stick getting betwen the chain and the chainwheel. Having a handbrake is always a must.
This might require some common sense. Thats getting rarer and rarer these days. Especially to some young defiant fixy riders who dont think the laws of the land or inertia apply to them! Theyre gonna live forever right?
Really the best channel to get informations for vintage bike repairs and build ups. Thank you very much from Germany!
The good part about this video is RJ narrates all his videos some videos people put they don't narrate and explain what they are doing so thanks RJ
this guy has a tool for
everything
not having to buy all the tools made this build alot less expensive
You really dont need that many tools to do one of these bikes. Older bikes are simple and fairly standard besides threading. Cone wrenches, bb tools, and a lockring spanner might be the ones you may not own. A lot of standard tools can be had cheap at Harbor Freight if youre not using them often. Most riders have allens, wrenches and such. The special tools can be had for less than $100 and thats an investment.
The wheel dishing might be best done by a shop if youre not familiar with truing. But it can be learned with patience. I read a book and taught myself with critiques from a master wheel builder. Im a bike mechanic now and have built wheels as a side business for 20 years
these are pretty much the basic tools a cyclist needs :) I bought myself a pretty cheap tool set for about 60 euros back in the days. got the job done pretty well
Damn, even though I already have a fixed gear bike I might just have to go buy a retro road bike and make another one. Solid video dude
Hey I know you from the old talkradar forums back in the day, this is wild
2020 AND STILL ONE OF THE BEST VIDS OUT THERE ..... THANKS A LOT!!!
From Canada / Montreal thank you for all the videos, you're the best
i like the full length project videos
Ya know, you just answered pretty much every question I ever had about bicycle mechanical parts and installation! Thank you very much! Just subscribed.
I'm just getting back into bicycling after 30 years....things have changed so much... You are such a good teacher explaining everything so clear.. I really enjoy learning from you... another 2 years I want to retire and start riding as far as my body and soul will let me....thank you so much!!
Onyxaxe, I never measured it. But I am guessing yours will be okay. My big chain ring came close to the frame. But that is a 53t ring. It's too big actually, but was all I had at the time. I am replacing it with a 46t ring (which just came today actually), and that will have plenty of room.
Thanks. Ironically I want a 53T for more skid patches lol. Are there any complications to having a spindle that's too long other than Q-factor?.
Onyxaxe You may have to move the hub farther to get the chain line straight. And then redishing the wheel will be more drastic.
I'm buying a new track wheel set. Just typical truing of the rims it had made the spokes pop into the innertubes lol. I'll take my time with it, but if I have any more basic questions I'll pop in again. Thank you for taking the time to make your vid and answer viewers questions :).
You can always try grinding the tips of the spokes a little shorter as long as there are still enough threads on the main part of the spoke.
RJ The Bike Guy Hi, i thought chairing teeth were directional, how come you flipped them over?
If I learned anything from this video it's how to finally remove those damned Schwinn kickstands without any specialty tools--here here!
Awesome video. Perfect camera angle on all shots. Very well explained too. Thanks!
Nice video. I have a hundred little nitpicks about mechanical advantage, leverage, and gearing, but I'll keep,these comments to myself and just say bravo. Wish I had seen this three or four years ago.
Suicide hub haha. I had one unscrew on me once.. I still have the scar on my knee from the crash.
kabukiwookie No brakes? Did you learn anything?
I just scored a vintage bianchi frame I'm gonna make a fixie with it
Without more than a few gears you are never going to win any races against us gear heads and even the 3 speed bicycles can beat you silly out of your mind...!
Hi RJ, thanks so much for this awesome video, I'm making an old Raleigh Mixte into a single speed and this has help tremendously! Please keep your awesome videos coming.
GREAT JOB AND VERY WELL ILLUSTRATED AS USUAL. IT PARTICULARLY HELPED ME WITH WHEEL REDISHING AND SPACING. THANKS AGAIN, MARKO
you have mice in your shop just by the drill press machine at 59:40m
+ofek ml It's my garage and yes I see signs of them in there. I watched at 59:40 and didn't see anything.
+RJ The Bike Guy , to the left of the drill press, on the shelf!
+ofek ml I saw it! I never noticed that.
Laser eyes!
Geez, how in the hell did you spot that!! lol, however they are only mice, not rats! We have mice in the loft of our cottage every autumn till spring! Just getting out of the cold. Can't really stop them coming in, in an old building. They don't really do any damage up there and don't spread any diseases. They are just field mice from the fields opposite. Part of country life!!
I got given a rusty wreck of a folding bike that is 30 years old, i repainted it some new colours, and the wheel rims too, and i made a short video of it on here, if anyone wants to see it ?? in my uploads or simply type in......A rusty retro restoration
Sure!
atlstar08 great :)
if its not a schwinn run-a-bout, throw it away.
All the American made Schwinns were really good values no matter where they were in the hierarchy. I started riding trail ( my 1st mtb!)on a modified Varsity in the 70s until I broke the fork. I got a Super Letour after that. That was great until a friend crashed it. A couple of my buddies had Paramounts which were among the best custom built frames existing at the time. By then I was into British frame builders. Now I wont buy a new frame that isnt made in the USA.
I watched the whole video.
I enjoyed watching the process and your attention to detail.
Thank you very much!
I enjoyed watching this. I new this wasn't just a simple task. Very well explained. Thanks !
So just buy a fixie wheelset to avoid all that truing and adjusting? Got it.
where is the fun?
le Art the end result is not even safe for normal use.
@@boy_scout_cookie1913 would RJ make a video about it if it would not be safe? it is just that you need to tighten the lockring and cog really good to prevent them from undoing
Andrei Calin RJ is a great home mechanic, don’t get me wrong but there’s no way an actual mechanic would agree with this. I highly doubt the cog wouldn’t slip if you were to ride fakie. There’s a reason why track hubs have the reverse threading.
@@boy_scout_cookie1913 I doubt anyone doing this cares about doing ''fakies''.
Now let's put a 300$ tag and wait for hipster to come.
or weld a a length of chain to the top tube and use it for a boat angkor
These bikes are way too reasonable and low brow for a hipster!
That vintage frame is probably worth more than that lmao
thats the plan
Watching your videos makes me want to wrench my bike and go for a ride. Thanks RJ.
Geat video. I'm not interested in building a fixie but I learned a lot about general bike mechanics from this demonstration. Thank you.
Moses called, he wants his bike back.
Moses is in better shape than you and his calves are so strong their golden.
I thought the locknut on the hub was supposed to be reversed threads? So that way if the track cog wants to unscrew, the locknut wants to tighten.
Chris Z. On a track hub yes,that is correct. This is a freewheel hub.
Exactly! And i also would NOT recommand to use a freewheel hub for a FixedGear Bike if you plan to ride without brakes, what is stupid anyway. You just CANT tighten the lockring that much, that i will be locked forever. And also locktite wont help forever.
it tightens when you pedal forwards yes, but when you backpedal the force is in the opposite direction so that makes it want to unscrew. you never backpedal on a freewheel hub so it's never an issue, but using those same threads on a fixie causes that problem. i've seen people put a couple tack welds around the cog to hold it in place more firmly than locktite alone
Ive used loctite on freewheel hubs. I also am in possession of at least half a brain and use brakes. I ride my fixed gear on mtb trails and skid only to line up pedals to ride over logs and such.
Great video, thanks for taking the time to make this! You're a legend
Fantastic video. You inspired me to tear into my thrift store bought vintage Raleigh. Thanks for this!
Why not just keep the kick stand?
I don't like kick stands. Extra useless weight.
Yup hate them too especially on mountain bikes
They dont do anything when the bike is serving its purpose
Removing the kickstand on a bike is like removing the parking brake on a car
Bad advice ! You should never use a fixie cog on a standard wheel. Very dangerous The cog will unscrew while your riding.
You must use a track style hub that's made for fixed gears. Also We need to preserve old Schwinns. That Schwinn is worth about 2 to 3 hundred $ if in good condition but after you chopped it up you'll be lucky to get 75 bucks for it.
The bike belongs to him why the criticism?Using brakes, as you should(its the law) , there is nothing to worry about. Brakes are really simple common sense! It will save your knees AND MAYBE YOUR LIFE TOO! I know they look funny but where has vanity gotten you?Done right loctite works fine. I ride fixed on rocky mtb trails, WITH BRAKES! I dont even need to use brakes much except down long steep hills. I only skid when I need to position the pedals so I dont slam my feet into rocks and logs. My cog has been loctited on my hub for 3 years. Hasnt come loose yet!
Awesome video. One of the best bike building videos by far!
I watched the entire video. Thanks for posting and sharing your wealth of knowledge. I’m inspired.
if it ain't broke, don't fixie it!
A bike with gears is much nicer!!
A fixed bike is rarely broken!
Great video, I really enjoyed watching it. Learned some things I didn't know. Thanks RJ.
Great video! You just encouraged me to bring out my old fixie-project!
Why do you kill a vintage road bike by making it a fixie..
+multimillionmile The chain stay cable stop broke off, and the frame wasn't worth getting that repaired. So I re purposed the bike. Besides lots of people like fixies. It's not like this bike was a vintage Colnago Master or something.
Ah well I didn't mean to insult you I just think it's such a shame!
I love playing with bikes. Changing them, modifying them, whatever. It is fun getting them to be what you want.
People had been asking me for quite a while for a video on how to make a fixie. I was actually going to leave this bike as a 10 speed until the cable stop broke off. Then it just sat there in my garage, dead. Then I brought it back to life.
Agreed!
That was a good comprehensive tutorial .You did not miss a thing. Thanks.
I love watching you bike repair videos,very educating
This guy really knows his stuff!!!
Great video!
I gotta say you're a bad ass. Great stuff. Thanks for the knowledge.
Haha. I love these kinds of builds. Working on an '86 League Trek right now. I used your hacksaw method to get the stem out shame I couldn't save the nitto stem though. I was able to save the BB and headset but need new bearings for the BB. Getting a 120mm fixed gear hub rear wheel though. I never felt safe with these suicide hubs. Never had one unspool on me but it always gave me a bit of the pucker when I applied back pressure. Chopping and flipping the bars. But hopefully I'll get it all back together soon. Great to see I'm not the only one breaking out the blowtorch and scavenging parts to make these builds happen.
Thanks very much for sharing this video and for taking the time to make it in the first place!
Very interesting video - couldn't help noticing the range of quality of the tools! Very nice cable cutters, but using a screwdriver as a punch!! Made me smile.
I took an old road bike (my fathers first bike) and made a fixed gear/single speed city bike from it. It is an old bike, but it has special meaning to me. Thanks for the inspiration RJ.
This is a fantastic resource, thanks RJ!
So RJ. I picked up a late 1970's Royce Union 10 speed ($15). It has a nice tall frame for me (55cm?). It's a lightweight steel lug frame with 27" wheels. I like the feel of this thing and I have been looking for a nice vintage candidate. I plan on stripping it and painting it. The only original parts I want to keep will be the SR cranks and the original head badge that says Made in Japan. I already double checked everything in the rear to make sure the width and lengths work. I had a store bought Retrospec but I really wanted the feel of the vintage frame. I've done many bike projects in the past but this is my first fixie. Believe me, If I can rebuild a Cannondale Jeckyll with a lefty fork and Coda liquid disk brakes, I can do a fixie! I'm ready for simple!
I just did this with an old no name bike from the 70s. Nice simple city rider.. very satisfying build
Amazing video! I leaned a lot and I have so much more respect for bike mechanics now.
The best fixie tutorial video . Thanks.
Converting my bike tomorrow this really helped thanks so much!
I have that same world Traveler in original yellow and chrome with fenders and all original equipment. Going to make it mechanically sound and ride around town like a boss ; )
This is very helpful in so many ways. Well done and thank you.
Possibly the best bike build video I’ve seen, thanks loads
Amazing. Excellent knowledge and superb teacher. Thank you. Got just the bike to start on. 🙏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you for your amazing videos and website! Very very helpful!
Am I the only one who finds watching this strangely therapeutic?
Hi RJ, I just finished transfering my bike from 6 gear to a fixie, - success! Followed your video and got the job done all is left is to true the the rear wheel which is a little bit out of true. I don't have a truing stand or other related equipment but I will try to do it on a bike on some good day. Truing the wheels and adjusting v brakes are the hardest things for me cos those alignments don't come easy enough. You are the best bike guy here on CZcams by far!
Thanks a lot for this outstanding video RJ !!!
I builded my fixied bike with a 6 speed Old rusty road bike,also I did bullhorn hand bar....painted and new wheels ...I did the same technique with the crank, but in my case everything line up perfect.#! Thanks for this video!
Fantastic as ever RJ . Very informative
Your videos are excellent! keep the great work.. i love your videos.. they help me a lot with my bikes
Very interesting and full of informations. Thank you for your video mate ! I will build a singlespeed of an old road bicycle for my next semester in Barcelone city.
You video will help me a lot to figure out:
how it works, how I have to tear it down, where I have to be careful, what tools I should have..
Keep it up !
..great vid man.!...In fact,have enjoyed all of your video's...and have just bought myself some of those digital calipers..a very handy tool....Awesome job brother,keep em coming...!