My First

Picked up an older Schwinn Caliente at the flea-market this past weekend. I want to strip it down, repaint it and turn it into a single speed. Now I'm totally new to rebuilding a bike. I'd like to spend about $300-400 in the end. Looking for new wheels, tires, and brakes. I started looking on-line for single speed wheel sets but I have no idea if the wheels will fit my 23" frame. Maybe I should just talk to my local bike shop?

I would appreciate any guidance or comments.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

David

 

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on October 29, 2011 at 11:45am

Pics of bike would be helpful.  Are the dropouts long enough to tension the chain?  What size is the wheel that's in it now, and how many cogs?  Rear spacing is generally 126mm for 7 speed, 130 for eight speed and up.  5 speed was 120, which is also used for single speeds.  6 speed could be 120 to 126.  You can make any of these work as a single speed, but if you want to use prebuilt SS wheels, 120-123 would be nice.  You might want to have a look at this:

 

http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

 

and this:

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

Permalink Reply by MK on October 29, 2011 at 11:50am

Haven't done this myself. Try searching around the Single Speed / Fixed Gear section on Bike Forums. Lots of people on those forums argue against doing it if you're trying to save money but I think it's a cool thing to learn. Search craigslist/ebay and see if you can find people that have upgraded their components and are selling their stock ones. Good luck!

 

(And yeah, talk to your local bike shop(s) for sure!)

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 29, 2011 at 12:00pm
Yes, let's see pics!  Sounds like you're in for some fun.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on October 29, 2011 at 1:03pm

There need to be pics to let you know what you need.

 

If I remember right it should be a 27 or 700 wheeled bike; both of those are readily available single speed wheels.  The frame will be wider than the average S/S hub is spaced but you can either space the hub out or squeeze the frame in; on steel it is perfectly acceptable in my book.  Look to get a wheel the same size as the one you have and you will be able to keep the brakes you have.  I would say figure 190-210 for a good single speed wheel set, they are usually a little cheaper in pairs.  Expect to pay more if you want fancy deep section rims.

 

A word of warning on wheels: There are all kinds of super cheap, high fashion, 'Cheap V' wheel sets out there on e-bay and other place and they are, in my opinion, pretty much J-U-N-K.  The rims are heavy, poorly made and low quality.  The braking surface is not machined and often coated.  They are prone to problems with flats because of to deep of a drop center and are often built to low quality hubs.  Good wheels can make all the difference when it comes to a bike riding well; look for cartridge bearing hubs, double wall rims, eyeleted if possible.  Rapid Transit stocks a pretty nice S/S wheel set for around 200 built on Formula hubs and Sun M13II rims that fit the bill nicely.

 

You may, or may not, have chain line issues so there is also a chance that you may need a new bottom bracket and/or a new crank to get it all to lone up properly.  Budget about 30-40 bucks for the bottom bracket and cranks can be had for about 70-90 for cheaper one.  Stay away from any crank that does not have a bolt on chain ring.

 

Brakes you are looking at around 25 per caliper up to the sky is the limit.  If yours work well there is not need to replace them. 

Permalink Reply by David Ramos on October 29, 2011 at 4:10pm

thank you everyone for the info - i really do appreciate it.

lets see if i did this right, i added the link below of pics of the bike. I was already stripping it down. There's also a pic of the wheels i like.

 

thank you again

Permalink Reply by David Ramos on October 29, 2011 at 4:11pm

 

 

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Permalink Reply by David Ramos on October 29, 2011 at 4:12pm
these are the wheels i like, would they work if i started to look for them. I would go to a bike shop for pricing
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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on October 29, 2011 at 7:53pm

Wrong.

 

Unless you have long reach brakes 700s are an issue on a bike with 27s.

 

 

 

John W. said:

It looks like a regular 10spd with 27" wheels so 700c wheels shouldn't be a problem.  Good luck...I'll be doing the same with a Schwinn 10spd I'm getting froma co-worker next week.  Nice winter project.

David Ramos said:

 

 

Permalink Reply by mark stetson on October 30, 2011 at 5:00am
Rear brake looks like it has reasonably long reach to me.  What size is the front wheel?  Read the size on the tire, it will either be 27 x 1 1/4", 700 x 25c, or something similar.  If  you have 27" wheels, the brakes may or may not have enough reach for 700s.  Not a huge deal if they won't reach, just something else you have to replace. 

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