the fixie project begins

So, after thinking about it for quite a while I have decided to build myself a fixie. I'm doing this, both because I really fancy owning (and riding) one - I've always been really drawn to fixed gear road bikes, but also because it will be a really good way for me to learn more about bike maintanence.

I've been doing some research and looking up what parts are required and what kind of things I'm after and now have quite a clear image of what I want the finished bike to look like. Originally I was planning on going for a brand new track style frame, with rear facing horizontal drop outs, that was until Abby and I stopped into Brick Lane Bikes last Saturday. They have a really good selection of frames there and the staff are really knowledgeable and helpful.

Anyway to cut a long story short I got myself a Lissignoli road frame from the early 80s. It's a pretty decent weight steel frame with front facing nearly horizontal dropouts, so ripe for a conversion. It was, once upon a time, a geared bike, but has all the characteristics of a great fixie build project. Until I saw the old Italian frames I was dead set on getting something new (thinking a Dolan, IRO etc), but there is something really appealing about these old Italian frames, I can't put my finger on it but it pressed the right buttons. they had a similar (slightly fancier) Lissignoli built up, which was great as it gave me a good idea of what my finished project will feel like. I gave that a test drive and it felt good, very good. it was my first proper go on a fixie and cemented in my mind that I really have to ride one. I also rode a similarly spec'd Dolan frame, but didn't get the same feeling from it (possibly due to it being aluminum?), and it was nearly triple the price.






Once I had tried the Lissignoli the newer frames just lost their appeal and all I could think about was creating something new and unique from something old. maybe it's the potential for real uniqueness that is appealing to me so much, what ever it is that has turned me on to these bikes I have most certainly been bitten by the bug. So, with some surprisingly forth coming encouragement from Abby (she really likes this frame too) I decided to bite the bullet and parted with £120 for the frame and forks, which is a pretty good price, give what I've seen elsewhere. I am building this bike on a very tight budget (which equates to as little as possible every so often), so am not going to go for top of the range performance parts, rather bits that I like the look of and that will enhance the overall project.

I've never really built anything before, never done any more bike maintanence then just a bit of tinkering so this is going to be a steep learning curve for me. Hence the blog. I'm going to use this blog to record the progress of my build, so that I can properly document each stage (to nostalgically look back on in years to come) and hopefully so others who decide to take up a build project for the first time like I am can learn from my mistakes, as I'm sure there will be quite a few.

So for now I'll post some pictures (once I work out how to) of the frame and forks, more will follow as I get more bits and start the build (probably after Christmas as I'm a bit broke at the moment).