Single-speed conversion

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Primitive Don on January 21, 2009 at 10:42am

here's some good reading on the subject.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on January 21, 2009 at 11:06am

When I did my raleigh super record conversion I started with the original cranks, just stripped to one chainring. You can have your rear wheel (if you have one and don't need to keep a freewheel) rebuilt with an inexpensive cartridge bearing hub like a nashbar, surly, or formula, and you'd end up with a hand-built wheel. Ron at RRB in kennelworth built mine for $40. Yojimbo's is another great place to have a wheel built. You'll need a 3/32 cog if you use you're current chainring. I've got a shimano bmx freewheel I have no use for if you're not building it fixed - brand new/never used $10? Or for a freewheel just use spacers (check on this for an older bike - cassette vs freewheel) and remove all but one of the cogs from your wheel. Then just strip everything off that isn't needed - that's the fun part. Well, it's all the fun part.

These were the sites (in addition to the one linked to already) I frequented for parts once I got it built, for upgrades to "real track components."

http://thebikebiz.com
http://store.somafab.com/index.html
and chifg.com has for sale and free stuff forums that are constantly being updated...but it might take a while to get a login from them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jon on January 21, 2009 at 3:30pm

Thanks guys, anyone have any other personal expierince or tips?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on January 21, 2009 at 4:06pm

Oh yeah - kinda hard to tell from the pic, but does the frame have dropouts that let you adjust the rear wheel spacing? If they're vertical like most modern bikes you'll probably need a chain tensioner, and can't run fixed, unless you get an eliptical hub. But If you're reading sheldon's page you probably figured that out.

• ▶ Reply