anyone know about single speed conversion?
Discussion
I've got an old Trek road bike with downtube shifter, vertical dropouts etc that has been superceded in my fleet and not ridden anymore, so I'd like to turn it into a single speed bike. It's not something that I want to throw a lot of money at though, in terms of a new hub, wheel rebuilding etc. I found this: www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=74&MMN_position=187:187 which could be used in conjunction with a chain tensioner but the problem is this is only for 8 and 9 speed cassettes, and the Trek is 7 speed. Does anyone know of anything similar that I could use?
Think I'll have to pay a visit to my local machine shop; I'm not known for an ability to hacksaw anything straight!
Yeah,like vroom says. For my first bike I disassembled 2 old casettes and used all the spacers and the 15tooth sprocket (15-18teeth is about the normal single speed range). I had to play about a bit to get the correct chainline but then it was all fine and dandy.
The other problem is chain tensioning. If your lucky you might be able to find a sprocket and chainring combination that runs adequately tight with your vertical dropouts but this isnt easy. there is a site somewhere on the web where you can enter your chainstay length and it will give you gearing combinations that will work without a tensioner. If that doesnt work DMR and ON-ONE are the best people to go to for singlespeed tensioners. I have tried many different types of tensioner in the past and the dropout mounted, single jockey wheel type seem to be the simplest and most reliable.
However the option i eventually took was to cut off the dropouts and weld on some horizontal ones (see the pictures in the 'show your bike off' thread). It wasnt easy getting the alignment correct but if you have the tools and are a (or know of a) reasonably competent welder its a pretty quick job and will save you lots of hassle with tensioners (assuming your frame is steel that is).
Hope that helps.
Bernie
The other problem is chain tensioning. If your lucky you might be able to find a sprocket and chainring combination that runs adequately tight with your vertical dropouts but this isnt easy. there is a site somewhere on the web where you can enter your chainstay length and it will give you gearing combinations that will work without a tensioner. If that doesnt work DMR and ON-ONE are the best people to go to for singlespeed tensioners. I have tried many different types of tensioner in the past and the dropout mounted, single jockey wheel type seem to be the simplest and most reliable.
However the option i eventually took was to cut off the dropouts and weld on some horizontal ones (see the pictures in the 'show your bike off' thread). It wasnt easy getting the alignment correct but if you have the tools and are a (or know of a) reasonably competent welder its a pretty quick job and will save you lots of hassle with tensioners (assuming your frame is steel that is).
Hope that helps.
Bernie
Edited by busta on Tuesday 29th August 20:15
For a single speed you can still use a chain tensioner but if you want to go fixed you will need a magic gear to get the correct chain tension, follow the link for an on-line gear calculator;
[url]http://eehouse.org/fixin/fixmeup.php[/url]
[url]http://eehouse.org/fixin/fixmeup.php[/url]
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