Worst of NYC Craigslist Bike Ads ***SPECIAL EDITION***

Alas, I am an idiot. In my haste I neglected to note this is quite clearly a freewheel, not a fixed gear. Thanks to the anonymous commenter who pointed this out. I was simply delirious thinking I had found what another commenter called "The Unholy Grail of Fixedgeardom..."

Sorry, I know I just posted a CL entry, but I just found something I've been seeking for years. I've always suspected there must be at least one out there, and today I found it. It might just be the worst faux-pas possible on a bicycle. Yes, it's a pie plate on a fixed gear! (Of course, the ultimate would be to find one on an all-NJS vanity street machine, but until today I didn't even think they existed, so who am I to be greedy?)

(I'm literally crying tears of joy--look at it, it's glorious!)

54cm Road Bike-Single Speed Conversion F/S - $300 (Upper East Side) (original URL: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/360605835.html)
Reply to: [deleted] Date: 2007-06-26, 10:50AM EDT

I am selling my single speed freewheel conversion. This is my most reliable bike but I must part with it now. The frame is a 54cm free Spirit butted steel frame from the '80's back when they really knew how to make the good stuff. The frame could use a paint job- it has a lot of nicks and scratches that are all cosmetic and definately much less than one might expect from a frame thats been around almost 30 yrs. The fork is also original. The other components have all been up'd and replaced.

"Free Spirit" and "the good stuff," in the same sentence. Another glorious first! And please, if you do buy this, don't paint it. If I see another resprayed or powdercoated beater on fixedgeargallery I will lose it. Save the cost and/or labor involved with repainting for restoring classic steel. Better yet, dismantle this frame with a Sawzall and use it to replace your plumbing.

Bullhorn aluminum(?) road bars new w/bar tape and top load brake lever, also new. the brake(new) is set up for the back but can be moved to the front as per your preference. Old style (french?) stem makes for a comfortable riding position. The steer tube is 1' threaded. The crankset vintage in great condition, pedals are fully functional but very used. Chain is new. Vittesse deep 'V' wheelset-used many miles but true, clean and durable w/road tires that have never gone flat, slow leaked or given me any problems whatsoever. These wheels are good for the next three or four summers before you will need to even consider changing. Also a stylish alloy seatpost, new and nice comfort anatomic relief saddle, new.

One brake. On the back. Nice. Not sure how easy it will be to move to the front. There's the small matter of bolt length. But finding a matching piece of stamped tin for the front shouldn't be too expensive.

The gearing is a bit unusual: the front chainring is 52t and the back cog is 24t. This allows for much better climbing while sacrificing only slightly on downhill resistance. For track and straight road riding this ratio is very balanced. Of course all this can be changed out. The back wheel can take a fixed gear on the flip as well (it is not set up flip flop right now but allows it)

It is a bit unusual. That cog's almost as big as the pie plate.

This bike has been my commuter for many months and would serve as a great messenger bike or simply a city bike. All the parts are great but its not overly showy and wont get ripped off. Serious buyers only!! Leave contact # w/your email. I will answer any questions/more pics if need. I can deliver. Price is negotiable but dont lowball me because I won't respond.

Lowball you on a Free Spirit? Wouldn't dream of it.