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Permalink Reply by Koltraned on July 18, 2014 at 6:40am

Adam, I have a 57cm Bianchi Pista (chrome from 2006, decals intact, low miles and stored for the last couple of years). I'd be willing to let it go for the right price as I rarely hit up the velodrome these days. PM to discuss price etc.

Also, I've had a lot of success running fixed gear on early 70's schwinns with mostly horizontal and longer drop outs.  Steel Travelers used to be a dime a dozen at the old working bikes space. Now you have to work a little harder to get one.  Obviously the head tube angle wont be as vertical as a traditional track bike frame would be. 

rwein5 said:

Not really designed for being ridden w/o some sort of chain tensioner (ie a deraileur). The road dropouts don't offer a lot of wiggle room where as the track-style horizontal dropout gives you a huge amount of flexibility

Tominator said:

Why do you say that?

rwein5 said:

Agree, but found it nearly impossible to get (and maintain) good chain tension. 

Tominator said:

Love old geared bikes converted. Fuji's, Raleighs, Schwinn LeTours. Cheap as heck and they look great. I have an old Bridgestone (Kabuki) that I love.

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Permalink Reply by ad on July 18, 2014 at 8:54am

Not to disagree, but I've had a Surly Cross-Check for years, which has horizontal drop-outs (similar to the vintage options discussed above), and I've never had a problem with chain tension when running it either fixed or free.  Maybe the frame you were using as a conversion had some drop-out alignment issues, but horizontal drop-outs and good chain tension should not automatically be mutually exclusive.   

Also, I have to say one huge advantage of using a frame with horizontal drop outs is how easy it is to get a wheel out if you decide to use a rear fender.  Track drop outs can be a pain to deal with in relation to running fenders.  
rwein5 said:

Not really designed for being ridden w/o some sort of chain tensioner (ie a deraileur). The road dropouts don't offer a lot of wiggle room where as the track-style horizontal dropout gives you a huge amount of flexibility

Tominator said:

Why do you say that?

rwein5 said:

Agree, but found it nearly impossible to get (and maintain) good chain tension. 

Tominator said:

Love old geared bikes converted. Fuji's, Raleighs, Schwinn LeTours. Cheap as heck and they look great. I have an old Bridgestone (Kabuki) that I love.

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Permalink Reply by Omar Lopez on July 18, 2014 at 5:20pm

They may have some at this place call Workingwheels or WorkingBikes?    

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Permalink Reply by AyeJay_Love on July 19, 2014 at 11:00am

Oh, I think I may have heard about that place. They sell used bikes and eat a lot of pizza there, right? 

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Permalink Reply by John on July 20, 2014 at 5:29pm

Are you selling the Univega?

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Permalink Reply by AyeJay_Love on July 21, 2014 at 1:13am

You can PM me an offer if you'd like. Here's the bike, a mid 80s Univega Gran Premio. Which at the time was their top road bike (or so I've read). All the components are original Suntour Cyclone. 

John said:

Are you selling the Univega?

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