Can I make a fixed gear bike into a freewheel bike?
I just got a Bianchi Pista (4-5 years old) and i was wondering how i could change it from a track bike to a conventional road bike(freewheel with gears) or if i should just buy a new bike ?
Making it a Single speed freewheel is easy enough. Most will take a bmx freewheel straight away. Then it is just adding brakes.
If you want road bike gears. I think you would be better off starting with a new bike. A single speed road bike is useful for training ( some prefer single speeds). Or leave it for occasional track riding.
Putting gears on you will need a cassette adaptor for the hub (There is one on this link $81 (U.S.)) Or a new hub/wheel.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html.
The frame will be a bother. Your will probably need to get the rear forks stretched to accommodate the wider hub.
You may also have trouble with derailleur hangers, brake mounts and cable routes on a pure track frame.
Then you will need a group set.
With all the work and expense a newy should prove a more sensible option. Sometimes not being sensible is more fun though.
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