Single-speed HT
Discussion
I fancy a low-geared single-speed HT for arseing about on - wheelies etc but I have a couple of questions (I'm thinking about building one from components sourced wherever over the next few months):
What type of frame? Single-speeders usually have different drop-outs but are decent HT frames available with this? If not, I guess I will have to use one of those chain tensioners.
What type of sprocket? MTB wheels are set-up for a cassette. Can I get wheels with wider hubs designed for a single sprocket?
Lastly, I will have a fairly reasonable budget for this (upto £1500 if all goes well) so are there any recommendations for components, or any complete bikes I suppose?
What type of frame? Single-speeders usually have different drop-outs but are decent HT frames available with this? If not, I guess I will have to use one of those chain tensioners.
What type of sprocket? MTB wheels are set-up for a cassette. Can I get wheels with wider hubs designed for a single sprocket?
Lastly, I will have a fairly reasonable budget for this (upto £1500 if all goes well) so are there any recommendations for components, or any complete bikes I suppose?
What type of sprocket? MTB wheels are set-up for a cassette. Can I get wheels with wider hubs designed for a single sprocket?
You can get SS kits from the likes of On-One, Gusset, Surly, DMR et al, which convert regular freebie wheels to single speed by means of a single splined cog and some spacers.
Hope make (made?) a dedicated SS rear Pro 2 hub if you wish to go down that route. Trials hub, IIRC. In both instances the hub is the same width (OLD of 135mm), just the flange spacing that varies and the size of the free hub.
re. frame, plenty of choice:
Normal HT frame with vertical dropouts and a tensioner.
Normal(ish) frame with vertical dropouts but eccentric bottom bracket (Dialled Love/Hate, Sanderson Soloist etc).
Frame with horizontal dropouts, be it a fixed part of the frame (On-One slot drop-out Inbred), or via a removable/adjustable/sliding dropout (Orange P7, DMR Swapout-equipped bikes, Kinesis Decade bikes etc).
PERSONALLY I'd opt for the 2nd EBB option: less faff with discs/brakes/callipers and the Hope SS trails rear hub.
You can get SS kits from the likes of On-One, Gusset, Surly, DMR et al, which convert regular freebie wheels to single speed by means of a single splined cog and some spacers.
Hope make (made?) a dedicated SS rear Pro 2 hub if you wish to go down that route. Trials hub, IIRC. In both instances the hub is the same width (OLD of 135mm), just the flange spacing that varies and the size of the free hub.
re. frame, plenty of choice:
Normal HT frame with vertical dropouts and a tensioner.
Normal(ish) frame with vertical dropouts but eccentric bottom bracket (Dialled Love/Hate, Sanderson Soloist etc).
Frame with horizontal dropouts, be it a fixed part of the frame (On-One slot drop-out Inbred), or via a removable/adjustable/sliding dropout (Orange P7, DMR Swapout-equipped bikes, Kinesis Decade bikes etc).
PERSONALLY I'd opt for the 2nd EBB option: less faff with discs/brakes/callipers and the Hope SS trails rear hub.
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 20th August 18:58
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 20th August 19:00
Jimbo. said:
What type of sprocket? MTB wheels are set-up for a cassette. Can I get wheels with wider hubs designed for a single sprocket?
You can get SS kits from the likes of On-One, Gusset, Surly, DMR et al, which convert regular freebie wheels to single speed by means of a single splined cog and some spacers.
Hope make (made?) a dedicated SS rear Pro 2 hub if you wish to go down that route. Trials hub, IIRC. In both instances the hub is the same width (OLD of 135mm), just the flange spacing that varies and the size of the free hub.
re. frame, plenty of choice:
Normal HT frame with vertical dropouts and a tensioner.
Normal(ish) frame with vertical dropouts but eccentric bottom bracket (Dialled Love/Hate, Sanderson Soloist etc).
Frame with horizontal dropouts, be it a fixed part of the frame (On-One slot drop-out Inbred), or via a removable/adjustable/sliding dropout (Orange P7, DMR Swapout-equipped bikes, Kinesis Decade bikes etc).
PERSONALLY I'd opt for the 2nd EBB option: less faff with discs/brakes/callipers and the Hope SS trails rear hub.
It's a fair call but it's a lot of cash for 'something to arse about on'.You can get SS kits from the likes of On-One, Gusset, Surly, DMR et al, which convert regular freebie wheels to single speed by means of a single splined cog and some spacers.
Hope make (made?) a dedicated SS rear Pro 2 hub if you wish to go down that route. Trials hub, IIRC. In both instances the hub is the same width (OLD of 135mm), just the flange spacing that varies and the size of the free hub.
re. frame, plenty of choice:
Normal HT frame with vertical dropouts and a tensioner.
Normal(ish) frame with vertical dropouts but eccentric bottom bracket (Dialled Love/Hate, Sanderson Soloist etc).
Frame with horizontal dropouts, be it a fixed part of the frame (On-One slot drop-out Inbred), or via a removable/adjustable/sliding dropout (Orange P7, DMR Swapout-equipped bikes, Kinesis Decade bikes etc).
PERSONALLY I'd opt for the 2nd EBB option: less faff with discs/brakes/callipers and the Hope SS trails rear hub.
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 20th August 18:58
Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 20th August 19:00
Personally I'd give the standard frame/spaced out cassette option a go and leave the posh bike for if/when you've decided you want a nicer SS bike.
Thanks a lot for the info gents. I am not intending to use this for long rides - I already have something for that. I want something short and chuckable - basically the BMX I built doesn't do it for me so I'm going to sell it on and build something else.
I prefer a more upright riding position so advice on frames that may position me so would be gratefully received.
I love the White Industries kit - I have an ENO on my Skyway. I would be very happy to buy more from them. I've already eyed-up their crank-set with integral bash-guard. I'm in France at the mo, working only from my Blackberry which isn't fabulous for browsing non-mobile-enabled websites. When I'm home I'll start looking at collecting parts.
Thanks again.
I prefer a more upright riding position so advice on frames that may position me so would be gratefully received.
I love the White Industries kit - I have an ENO on my Skyway. I would be very happy to buy more from them. I've already eyed-up their crank-set with integral bash-guard. I'm in France at the mo, working only from my Blackberry which isn't fabulous for browsing non-mobile-enabled websites. When I'm home I'll start looking at collecting parts.
Thanks again.
It's a bit painful browsing on the BB but I've decided on the DMR freewheel hubs with WI freewheel and crank with integral bashguard.
Not sure what rims but I'll definitely be using discs so a braking surface isn't necessary. Something light and strong-ish. I'm heavy but this won't be used to throw off mountains. Low jumps and wheelies only I suspect.
I think I'm less stuck on a dedicated SS frame than perhaps I was - I'd like something lightweight and with an upright seating position. And air sprung forks.
Not sure what rims but I'll definitely be using discs so a braking surface isn't necessary. Something light and strong-ish. I'm heavy but this won't be used to throw off mountains. Low jumps and wheelies only I suspect.
I think I'm less stuck on a dedicated SS frame than perhaps I was - I'd like something lightweight and with an upright seating position. And air sprung forks.
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