Mountain Bike Conversion
Thread started by
Kprimed at 09.27.09 - 3:29 pm
So im really new to fixed gear
I see tons of people often riding in groups and just I wanna join so bad.
I dont have a road bike, as im a student and broke as heck, but i do have a mountain bike
i want to fix up and turn into a fixie. Ive been reading up on the subject of Fixie mountain bikes and its kind of difficult, but i would really like to do this. Where do I start?
Help?
reply
why would you want to do that ever
mitch09.27.09 - 4:58 pm
reply
just ride your bike, no one cares if you're on a "Fixie"
mitch09.27.09 - 4:58 pm
reply
ok i'm being mean. Listen: there are tons of people who ride mountain bikes on our rides. This community isn't about fixed gear or any type of bike in particular, you will have fun regardless of what you're on!
mitch09.27.09 - 5:03 pm
reply
fixed gears are lame. get some slick tires and you'll be good.
onelessfixie09.27.09 - 5:14 pm
reply
honestly, you're better starting off with a mtb.
I had a crappy beater with rusted wheels, heavy frames, only one working gear.
i rode with this bike for like 10 months. gave me big legs. was a bitch to ride.
but hey.
just note that if something starts hurting in your body, esp the joint, esp the knees or ankles, start adjusting the saddle, seat post, handlebars.
you don't want permanent damage.
aksendz09.27.09 - 5:22 pm
reply
What did that moutain bike ever do to you but love you, and now you want to cut it's balls off to be "cool". sad bike.
rev106 responding to a
comment by aksendz
09.27.09 - 5:35 pm
reply
+1 to the Rev... Amen to that.
But seriously, keep the MTB the way it is, cuz fixies suck off road LOL, and it's all about the spirit of riding anyway! If you feel like you need more speed for a hustle ride, go to a co-op like bike kitchen and they will help you build a fixie or road bike for whatever $$$ you can spare (usually around $100)
I have a fixed gear and a MTB and love both for different reasons.
2zRescue responding to a
comment by rev106
09.27.09 - 6:30 pm
reply
yeah you guys are right. I guess Im gonna stick with my MTB. Thanks.
Kprimed09.27.09 - 8:46 pm
reply
Like what was said above, put some slicks on it and you'll have a bike that's good for the rides. You'll still have a bike you can take off road too by changing it back.
User1 responding to a
comment by Kprimed
09.27.09 - 9:13 pm
reply
I'm so sick of fixed gear bikes.
throw slick tires on and call it a day.
mmaceda09.27.09 - 9:23 pm
reply
i ride along sometimes and i'm on a mountainbike, nobody ever gives me any crap for it, i see people on all kinds of bikes and it's all good
natefrogg09.27.09 - 9:51 pm
reply
3 of the top 6 players at the World Championships of Bike Polo rode Mountain bikes...
JOKER09.27.09 - 10:35 pm
reply
as im a student and broke as heck,
Why do students always have to be broke?
bentstrider09.28.09 - 6:40 am
reply
Yeeeaaahhh were starting the fat tire consortium!!!
sancho1 responding to a
comment by mmaceda
09.28.09 - 6:56 am
reply
I'll give you a brief idea on what to do:
1.
Do you have v-brakes or disc???
--if v-brakes, you can either:
find someone who can weld the ratcheting mechanism inside the cassette/freewheel, and have fun.
(this is what i would do, since you dont have to dish the wheel, and can just dial in the chainline).
you need to find a gear ratio
--if you have vertical dropouts, you can search online for a gear caluculator, if you have time to measure your chainstay length... blah, blah, blah.... too much work for you, right? Well, welcome to "fixing" your bike.
2. IF you have $$$$$$$$$$$
--buy an eno hub and lace up a rear wheel (great option)
--buy a surly fixer (waste of money in my mind), plus you still need to find your magic gearing
3. if you have the money to really make this change... i would just buy a cheap fixed gear rig and see if you like it... chances are you might not like it... bigger chance you'll love it. Hence, just wait til you can really set up the bike right. with that, if you any of the above options interest you, let me know and i can explain more.
peace and good luck... ride fixed off-road... it might be a blast...
md209.28.09 - 11:29 am
reply
i meant to add to option 1:
if disc brakes:
dont run the rear brake and add a cog to the disc mount. the smallest you might be able to fit is a 16t, but you can toy with a larger chainring in the front. if you have standard 104 bcd chainring, then you're limited.... you might be able to run a 44t, if you dish the wheel/hub to the outer ring... but if you have to work with the middle chainring... you might get a 38-40t...
again, too much work, right?
have fun.. its all worth doing and learning...
good luck
md209.28.09 - 11:32 am
reply
I say
Keep that mountain bike, Buy some MTB slicks (preferably puncture proof)
Keep those gear and instead of learning how to get rid of them, learn how to use and tune them.
I ride my old 90s Bianchi MTB with slicks and great gear ratio on it on MR rides and never get left behind.
thegodofthor09.28.09 - 11:35 am
reply
Fuck slicks, ride what feels good on the road, what the bike was designed for
JOKER09.28.09 - 1:15 pm
reply
i'd recommend some semi-slicks with tread for sure. i have no idea how many times i've fishtailed and almost ate it riding slicks on my mountain bike in the rain, wet pavement, slippery surfaces, or sand.
coldcut09.28.09 - 3:51 pm
reply
your knobbies will turn into slicks... so just ride what you got
md209.28.09 - 3:53 pm
reply
+ 1 for all the other comments about not going the fixie route just because everyone else seems to be doing it. Probably half of what looks like a fixie out there is free-wheel anyway.
Regardless, a good shortcut to slicks (besides riding them down or buying slicks), is to use a tool to snip the knobbies off your current mtn bike tires. Just don't go too deep.
0gravity09.30.09 - 3:10 pm
reply
my cousin rides a mtb all over san antonio almost everyday. he was turned onto slicks and he loves them for his kind of riding, i told him about my single speed he was like , "thats cool" .... he is still riding his mtb all over san antonio. if you have a bike that rides, then RIDE IT.
Jeff Yess responding to a
comment by 0gravity
09.30.09 - 3:18 pm
reply
Don't forget, MTB's are supreme when it comes to pulling sound systems and gadget wagons!!
bentstrider09.30.09 - 3:32 pm
reply
except folding hummer mtbs.
coldcut09.30.09 - 11:10 pm
reply
I will stuff you into a locker and pour fire ants into it!!!!
bentstrider responding to a
comment by coldcut
09.30.09 - 11:16 pm
reply
before or after you eat me? eat me.... eat me... eat me ... eat me ... eat me.. eat me...
coldcut responding to a
comment by bentstrider
09.30.09 - 11:20 pm
reply
No, the ants are the key in proper human marination.
I will spare no expense, now do your duty and achieve your life's goal of having the privilege of being roasted in my wood-brick oven!!!!
bentstrider responding to a
comment by coldcut
09.30.09 - 11:37 pm
reply
i've got some bricks for you...
coldcut responding to a
comment by bentstrider
10.1.09 - 12:06 am
reply
Okay, just do your business out in the pasture with the rest of the herd.
Wood's getting kind of expensive and cowpies and buffalo chips are an extremely effective stove substitute.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by coldcut
10.1.09 - 12:10 am
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!