re: [CR]conversion of road frame to track drop-outs

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2005 20:43:41 -0500
From: "Harvey M Sachs" <sachshm@cox.net>
To: hayesbikes@gmail.com, Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: re: [CR]conversion of road frame to track drop-outs


Tom Hayes asked:

I wonder if any on the list have converted the rear drop-outs from a road frame to track drop-outs, and if so, were there any non-anticipated effects that he or she would like to have known before the conversion.

Last week I received an early 1960's Frejus that had the right rear drop-ou t broken while being shipped to me. I checked Matt Assenmacher's site to determine the cost of replacing the drop-outs. And I began to play with the idea of converting the broken road drop-outs into track ones and use this a s my winter commuter to school with a fixed gear. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I've had the same thoughts wrt my ~73 Raleigh Competition, because I really like its relatively relaxed ride and relatively long chain stays (for pannier) for commuting.* So, here would be my guidelines for action:

1) Build it up fixed and ride it for a month, if you can jury-rig something to hold the wheel in place. If it snapped through the weak part (the adjuster screw), won't be expensive to clamp the D.O. back together and just weld it for $10 or so. 2) Then, if you like it, go for the track change-over.

3) IF is isn't a really rare or especially pretty bike. In that case, the principle of doing the least harm would encourage repair or replacement of just the right D.O.

I haven't done it on mine for a couple of reasons: (1) it works fine as it is, and changing out the old Huret drops would be a one-way street (I cut them so I only have to heat one tube at a time). (2) there have been too many other projects competing. Soooo, let me know how it comes out please!

harvey sachs mcLean va *for a while, I actually commuted on a Raphael Gemininani track bike this year. For my commute, which involves a very slow speed u-turn (don't ask), the toe interference with the front wheel, quite acceptable on the track, was a real bummer, and it just wasn't as nice to ride as the Raleigh. Never thought I'd be saying nice things about a Raleigh, Peter Kohler! :-)