Build your own Fixie

1. Step 1

Find a worthy bike to undergo the conversion. I literally found this in a barn. I have seen road, mountain, cyclocross, mixte bikes, etc. converted into fixed gear. The bike I used was an old Schwinn Continental. There are a couple of reasons for this. It's for my wife so wanted something that has relaxed frame geometry. The rear drop-outs (where the wheel/axle is mounted to) are horizontal allowing me to properly tension the chain, and above all it was free and she liked the color.

Build a Fixie or a Single Speed Bicycle
Cycling' s popularity is at an all time high due to a number of factors. Personal health and fitness, the poor economy and environmental awareness all play a role. The main reason for recreational cycling' s exponential growth in popularity is a bit less noble however. Bikes have become fashion accessories. Pure and simple. Observe any major metropolitan city you'll see countless hipsters riding "fixies," or bikes with fixed-gear drive trains.

So what does that mean? Fixies have no shifters, derailleur, and one gear and no freewheel. This means no coasting. You ride 50 miles, you're going to pedal 50 miles. Closely related to the fixie is the single speed bike. They often look and function the same however there is a freewheel sprocket which allows the rider to coast.

There are many ways to do a fixed-gear conversion. This is just one way; the way I chose to build up a bike for my wife. This how-to will prioritize simplicity and savings for the builder.

Please note specific instructions regarding the installation of cog, lockring, freewheel, rim tape, tubes and tires are not included in this article.

If riding a fixed gear bikes seems a bit daunting, this how-to can also be used build a single speed bike.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
• An old bike
• Basic hand tools
• 700C Track Wheelset with flip flop hubs
• Rim Tape, Tubes and Tires
• 3/32" Fixed Gear Cog and Lockring and/or
• 3/32" Freewheel cog
• 3/32" bicycle chain
• Hand Brake (optional) 

1. Step 1

Find a worthy bike to undergo the conversion. I literally found this in a barn. I have seen road, mountain, cyclocross, mixte bikes, etc. converted into fixed gear. The bike I used was an old Schwinn Continental. There are a couple of reasons for this. It's for my wife so wanted something that has relaxed frame geometry. The rear drop-outs (where the wheel/axle is mounted to) are horizontal allowing me to properly tension the chain, and above all it was free and she liked the color.
2. Step 2

Begin stripping the bike of all unnecessary components. This bike was stored for decades in an old barn so the bike was in poor condition. I removed the brake, the wheels, the chain, shifters, derailleur, handlebar tape, etc. The only thing left was the frame, crankset, pedals, headset, stem and handlebars.
3. Step 3
Don't junk those old parts yet! You may be able to recoup some costs by selling off or trading those old components.
4. Step 4
Gather your parts up. This entire conversion cost me the price of a chain, two tires, two tubes, and pink handlebar tape. I already had the wheelset complete with 16 tooth cog, lockring and freewheel and the brake setup. Ask friends who are into cycling. They may have this stuff lying around for the taking. Other sources for cheap parts are internet classifieds, auction sites and local bike co-ops.
5. Step 5

Mock up the bike to make sure everything fits. In my case, the rear wheel was a bit tight so I made it fit. The hole in the fork was a bit small so I drilled it. -Definitely not ideal, but the Schwinn is a tank and I don't feel like the structural integrity was compromised. But then again most of my car is held together with tape and glue so what do I know?
6. Step 6

Once everything fits, take it all off again. Screw on the cog/freewheel and tighten the lockring. Remember the lockring has a reverse thread so it tightens in the opposite direction. Mount the brake. Wrap your handlebars. Mount the chain to the chain ring. Add rim tape, tubes and tires to your wheels. Mount the wheels into the drop-outs and secure the chain onto the cog or freewheel.
7. Step 7
Slide the real wheels in the rear drop out to get the chain tight.
8. Step 8
Torque down all your bolts properly. Do not over tighten. This will only damage it. Take it for a test ride and then check all the fasteners again to make sure nothing is loose.
9. Step 9

Go for a ride.

Fixie Bike

All About the Fixie

   The fixie is the diminutive name given to a fixed-geared bicycle. The fixed-gears prevent the bike from coasting, meaning that the pedals are in constant motion rather than gears preventing pedal movement at any given time. The Fixie allows the rider to stop without the use of brakes, and also allows for rear movement, through the simple motion of pedaling backward. Fixies have been in use for some time within the track cycling industry and velodromes.
   Many road racing cyclists have used fixies for their implied ability to aid in the development of a positive pedaling style while in training. In the past, when cyclists and racers had only one bike, that bike was often changed throughout the seasons, stripped down to allow for fixie-style training and riding during the autumn and winter months and then rebuilt to racing standards for the spring and summer competitions. Fixies are commonly used by those involved in bike polo, artistic cycling and cycle ball competitions. They can be found in greater numbers in the urban settings in North America, where much of their popularity can be traced to their use by bicycle messengers. 

   Other urban dwellers, hipsters in particular, after being exposed to the bike messenger fixies, have begun using them as well. Most, but not all, fixies are single-speed bicycles. There are some models on the market that offer the rider the ability to switch between two speeds. These models incorporate a "flip-flop" rear wheel hub; however, changing gears requires the removal and refitting of the rear wheel. The fixie offers both advantages and disadvantages over the use of a standard cycle. Many fixie cyclists simply find them more enjoyable to ride than their heavier free-wheel counterparts. Others cite the improved performance the lighter weight fixies offer under certain weather conditions, such as when the fixie is used in slippery conditions and allows the rider greater control since the back tire can provide better traction. Fixies do offer a challenge when descending on hills or slopes, particularly for the inexperienced cyclist, but those with greater experience often find the fixie to be even better built for such conditions than the standard cycle. As fixies require the rider to continuously pedal, descent at steep angles requires faster and faster pedaling from the rider which can be a difficult or negative aspect of fixie riding for the less accomplished cyclist. More experienced fixie cyclists claim the fixie's use in such conditions actually encourages a better posture from the rider and greater cyclist/cycle engagement than is possible with a freewheel bike. Many cyclists appreciate the fixie for its ability to aid in the development of a stronger and healthier pedaling style. As the fixie requires the rider to continuously pedal, cyclists often learn to incorporate greater pedaling efficiency and cycling stamina into their cycling style. Many riders, unaccustomed to the fixie ride, will attempt to coast while riding a fixie, usually when they encounter obstacles in their path; however, coasting is impossible on a fixie and attempting to coast can actually be dangerous. Failing to engage the pedaling motion of a fixie at all times can lead to accidents, up to and including full loss of control of the cycle. 

   Fixies are available with and without brakes. Brakeless fixies are quite fashionable in some urban settings, with many riders believing the presence of brakes to be an unnecessary hindrance to their interaction with the cycle. Other riders believe the brakeless fixie to be geared toward those more concerned with trendy appearances rather than practical use. As fixies require constant pedaling by the rider and failure to do so can put the rider and others around in harm's way, it is advisable that those new to fixie cycling have brakes installed on their bikes. Some may chose to lose the brakes later on down the road. Regardless of the opinion on the matter of brakeless fixies, in many places throughout the United States, it is illegal to ride a brakeless bicycle on public roads and city streets. According to U.S. law, it is essential to the safety of the rider and the safety of others for the cyclist to be capable of utilizing brakes when necessary. Fixie cyclists should keep this in mind when determining the structure of their bikes.

   Build Your Own Single Speed Bike. Big Shot bikes is your route to a great quality, unique fixie single speed bicycle at an incredibly affordable price. Here's how we do it: with Big Shot Bikes you can design and customize your own fixed gear bike bike just the way you want it! Choose from hundreds of fixie bikes and endless color combinations to suite your style. Build your own Fixie with quality components and looks to boot. Just pick your bicycle's components and colors and we will assemble it and ship it right to your door. It's that easy! 

Author: Robert Bell.