"Conversion kit"

[Che]

Mate of mine is building his first fixed, and told me about a "conversion kit" he was thinking of buying for £100, comprising wheel, chainset, sprocket, lockring and chain. Was skeptical about what you could get for that money, so had a google. Details are:

Weinmann LP18 Rear Wheel w/Formula Hub
FSA Newtron Single Speed Crankset 43t w/bottom bracket
KMC Z410 Gold Chain
Shimano Dura-Ace 15t 3/32" Cog
Formula Lockring
Velox rim tape

Anyone any experience of these components? Is it, in fact, a steal, or is one buying a heap of crap?

[Gattopardo]

Where is the kit coming from?

[Charlotte]

Not an unreasonable amount of money - quite a good deal by the looks of things.  The formula fixed hub's well known for being value for money and jolly reliable. 

By the time you've specc'd out all the bits and bobs you need to convert an old 5 speed road bike to fixed, I'm sure you'd pay well over a ton.  If, on the other hand, you've got a pile of old bits in the garage (or mates that have) you may be able to scrounge all this stuff cheaper.

[Che]

Kit's coming from the states.

Cheers, Charlotte. I went shopping when I did mine. Got the Ambrosio wheels from Condor, and a Miche chainset, so I was paying pretty staggaringly larger sums than this. Does look like a good deal.

[Gattopardo]

On one sometimes do the kit for £100.  But don't know what you get in it.

[Greenbank]

Wheel: about for a pair of those wheels on £45 quid on eBay
Crankset+BB: £44.50 (for a similar FSA chainset from ByerCycles)
Chain: £3 (although standard "Brown" colour from Chain Reactions)
Formula Lockring: I think I paid £3 for one at Condor
Cog: £15 (various on eBay)
Rim Tape: £2

So not too bad. Especially if you want to save hassle by buying it all in one go.

[iakobski]

You also get the fact someone has matched the BB, crankset and wheel for chainline (assuming the OLN is correct)

[rogerzilla]

That was my first thought.  Some cheap off-the-peg fixies have poor chainline (Fuji Track, for instance).