This conversion is nothing too special, but has many aspects done right. Most importantly, the correct sized wheels. These 27” aluminum double wall semi aero rim fixed hub wheels replace the original 27” steel rims. I see way to many “fixies” on the street made from old 27” wheel frames wearing the smaller 700c wheels. It is bad enough trying to take a corner with your pedals cranking on a conversion (not a proper track frame with higher bottom bracket), but then dropping those pedals even further with undersized wheels is a dangerous compromise for style.

Other good aspects of this bike include the smooth and light Specialized sealed bearing pedals, the new sealed bearing Shimano cartridge bottom bracket, the light aluminum BMX racing seatpost, light and supportive Bianchi saddle, cool old chromoly stem, shot peened aluminum Bontrager riser bars, and good quality 27 x 1-1/4 Bontrager tires.

Also included in “done right” is a good front brake; this one with sweet Mathauser pads. Like I say, you can’t go fast if you can’t stop. A front brake makes this cantankerous old bike ridable.

This is a 1975 Motobecane Mirage. All of the brazeons are still intact for when fashion changes in the future.

What turned out well, but is not done right, is the crankset. I measured the spindle, replaced the old bottom bracket with a new sealed cartridge of the same spindle length, but didn’t consider that the new FSA crankset I got would need a shorter spindle (duh). To take the least wrong direction, I used the stock cranks, which were the widest I could find anyway, and put the 48 tooth track chainring from the FSA set on the inside. It is a bit fucked up, but works very well, and actually looks good in person.

I took these photos because I was impressed with how good this bike looked after three days of rain.