Mike Murray
markjgi-@yahoo.com [mailto:markjgi-@yahoo.com] wrote:
"Go Old School, and use a right friction barcon shift level connected to the
front brake level."
Although this sort of set up does garner a certain cool factor it is not
actually very safe. Modulating braking with a barcon lever is not so easy
to do. Panic stops could easily go nose wheelie to endo. At very least it
should be limited to those with LOTS of fixed gear road experience.
Since I have a bit of experience with the GT bikes (I sold nearly all of
them) I would suggest that they really are not the best thing for road
riding. The angles are very steep and the bottom bracket is very high.
They have a downward slopping top tube which makes it difficult to get a
position suitable for road riding. They are not drilled for a rear brake,
which is not absolutely needed but not a bad thing to have. There is little
clearance so fender fitting is a bear. Personally I would suggest getting
one of the bikes that is currently marketed that is designed with road use
in mind. Contact me if you need info on options. Alternatively stripping
down an old road bike with horizontal drops is a project that can be done
for very little money.
Mike Murray