Hi guys,
I'm new here and I'm planning on building my first fixie, I want to spend as little as possible as I don't have much cash and I've just been offered some wheels from a guy on a local freecycle group.

Here's what he says:

"I have a couple of ancient racing wheels somewhere in the garage, the rear
will have a double-sided hub, a worn out Cyclo 5 speed freewheel on one side
and a fixed gear on the other. The last time it was used in anger was for a
hill climb race in Devon, over 40 years ago . . . .

BUT, these wheels are "sprints" ie they need tubular tyres, expensive, fragile
and demanding of the mechanic,
AND the spokes are a gauge that is no longer used and they are very floppy by
modern standards, which is how the wheel builder thought best back in the
Dark Ages when I had them built.

I last used these wheels for Summer riding maybe 30+ years ago"

Are these worth getting at all? (they are free) would the hubs be of any use? (to me or to anyone?) I kind of like the idea of a flip/flop hub that I can use fixed or freewheel. Or would I be better off buying a new/newer wheel?

The need for tubs (tubular tyres) would make them a bit impractical for daily use.

The five-speed freewheel is far from ideal. I suspect the hub will be spaced 126mm, making it suitable for a conversion rather than a track frame.

def not an ideal solution, a new wheel is going to be more flexible/practical but sometimes beggars can't be choosers

if you already ride tubulars, you know about all the props and cons, and probably how to change a tub and maybe even how to sew it up.
plus, as you say the wheels are free, so why you don't just use the wheels until they have life in them, I'm sure you are not going to treat them as hard as other riders will do.

if in a year the wheels, say enogh, them buy a new ones. If not what are you going to do with the wheels put them in the bin?

I cant believe how fussy all you lot are. How rare is it to get a rider giving away their vintage fix wheel on freecycle?

126 spacing will almost always just be a few extra washers, just take em out and off you go.

Theres absolutley nothing wrong with leaving the five speed on either, will ad a bit of weight but will give you a couple ratios to pick from when running single speed depending on how tight your chainline is. You can also just take it off and put on a regular single freewheel.

Theres absolutley nothing wrong with thin spokes either.

The only thing which may be awkward is the fac they are for tubs. But plenty of people ride them, if your comfortable with buying and maintaining them then all is good.

Also im guessing they are 27's, check your frame is the right size.

Thanks for all the advice, things have taken an interesting turn...

The guy with the wheels, upon hearing my plans for building my first fixie has decided that they aren't what I'm after and doesn't seem to want to give them to me!

BUT! Today I picked up an old Holdsworth track bike from someone else on Freecycle (appropriate name, huh?) complete, but quite rusty, clincher on front and tubular on the rear, and he threw in some chequered bar tape! The only thing is I'm pretty sure the frame is too big for me, which is a shame. I may have to find something smaller.