Making a Singlespeed



G

Gags

Guest
I have an old CrMo mountain bike frame that I am considering
converting into a single speed, mainly for use as a commuter
during the winter months to reduce my maintenance
requirements (46km round trip commute along the Yarra Trail
in Melbourne).

The bike has old (bout 1996) STX-RC 21 speed drive train and
my initial thought was to get a hold of some sort of spacers
for the rear hub and then set it up with a single cog (this
means I won't have to fork out for a single speed hub and
then get a wheel built up on it). I was also hoping to
source a crank with only a single chainwheel (don't think I
can convert the triple) at a reasonable price. I think I
also need to get some sort of tensioning device as the frame
has vertical dropouts.

Has anyone done this before??

Any tips/advice??

Possible sources of parts in Melbourne??

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Gags
 
Use a "Surly Singlelator" tensioning device for vertical dropouts: http://www.surlybikes.com/parts/singleator_pop.html

The distributor for Surly stuff in oz is http://www.dirtworks.com.au (but they don't import all the nice Surly frames, damn!!)

Heres some pics of the singlelator in use:
http://home.earthlink.net/~ianandandrea/ss-sideon.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~ianandandrea/ss-drivetrain.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~ianandandrea/ss-chainline.jpg

the pics were taken from this bikeforums thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=30639&page=2&pp=25

I don't have a ss myself though, maybe oneday.... :)
 
> The bike has old (bout 1996) STX-RC 21 speed drive train
> and my initial thought was to get a hold of some sort of
> spacers for the rear hub and
then
> set it up with a single cog (this means I won't have to
> fork out for a single speed hub and then get a wheel built
> up on it). I was also hoping
to
> source a crank with only a single chainwheel (don't think
> I can convert
the
> triple) at a reasonable price. I think I also need to get
> some sort of tensioning device as the frame has vertical
> dropouts.
just some ideas couldn't you just leave your
freewheel/freehub on the wheel leave your triple on the
front take off the front derailure~, cable and shifters take
of the shifters and cables for the rear derailure~ shorten
your chain to be a little longer than the gear you want to
use then lock the rear derailure~ on that gear sounds like a
cheap single speed to me chain line may not be great and you
wont have the "right" chain but its cheap, even if you just
use it to find out what gears you want when you set up a
"proper" SS

but then again, maybe l am missing something

> Has anyone done this before??
not me

stu
 
Im halfway there.
run a single chainring (44T) on the front.
Was a triple LX at front so toof off all but biggest, put it on the INSIDE of the arm (where the 32 used to sit), got some BMX or short bolt-units (as they were previously meant for going thru both the 32 and 44 so too long with only one).

This gave me a more centred chainline to the rear cassette (11-30 i think).

It may, as Stu suggests, be able to 'lock' the RearD into position on your cog of choice and stay with the exiting RearD

Hippy is the man who would have more info on this. I think he mentioned somewhere recently he has a DIY tensioner using a RearD.
 
Gags wrote:
> I have an old CrMo mountain bike frame that I am
> considering converting into a single speed, mainly for use
> as a commuter during the winter months to reduce my
> maintenance requirements (46km round trip commute along
> the Yarra Trail in Melbourne).
>
> The bike has old (bout 1996) STX-RC 21 speed drive train
> and my initial thought was to get a hold of some sort of
> spacers for the rear hub and then set it up with a single
> cog (this means I won't have to fork out for a single
> speed hub and then get a wheel built up on it). I was also
> hoping to source a crank with only a single chainwheel
> (don't think I can convert the triple) at a reasonable
> price. I think I also need to get some sort of tensioning
> device as the frame has vertical dropouts.
>
> Has anyone done this before??
>
> Any tips/advice??
>
> Possible sources of parts in Melbourne??
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Gags
>
>
There's lots of good articles and advice on this at
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

As it says there, be careful about taking your FD off, as it
can cause the chain to unship (usually at the least
save/convenient moment, just ask David Millar in the last
TdF prologue when he was ahead of the eventual winner, our
own Brad McGee).

&roo
 
"Gags" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have an old CrMo mountain bike frame that I am
> considering converting
into
> a single speed

Do it! I love my SS.

> The bike has old (bout 1996) STX-RC 21 speed drive train

This is almost exactly the same as what I started with. Mine
is a '96 GT Talera which had AceraX groupset (worse than
yours I think). I just cheked mine - I actually UPGRADED to
STX-RC cranks :)

> thought was to get a hold of some sort of spacers for the
> rear hub and then set it up with a single cog (this means
> I won't have to fork out for a single speed hub and then
> get a wheel built up on it).

This is a perfect idea and is what I did. For your first SS,
you want to spend $0. Explain your project plans to your
nice Mr. LBS and see if they are keen to help you.

> I was also hoping to source a crank with only a single
> chainwheel (don't think I can convert the triple) at a
> reasonable price. I think I also need to get some sort of
> tensioning device as the frame has vertical dropouts.

Well, I'm using an STX-RC crank with only a single 32T
chainring on it now so it should be possible for you to do
the same. The AceraX cranks were no good because the 3
chainrings were pressed together as one unit. So, out of the
LBS bin came the STX-RC cranks. Rip off the small ring and
the big ring and fiddle around with chainring bolts (be nice
to your LBS and they might let you go for it in their
workshop) until you get a set that fit properly. (Some are
too long, as they are designed for 3 chainring setups).

One you've sorted the cranks/chainrings, then fit a
suitable rear sprocket (most people use 32:16 as a starting
point for gearing), making sure the chainline is correct.
For spacers to get a good chainline, I got grotty again in
the LBS bin and grabbed a stack of old cassettes. Some of
these (Ultegra and up, I think) have screws holding the
cassette together whereas the cheaper ones have punched
rods through the cassette. Either unscrew or drill out the
rods depending on what you find in the bin. You will notice
that spacers in between the actual cogs - use these to
align the rear cog with the front chainring. I also used an
old sprocket for my rear SS sprocket. Where all my gear
wears out, then I will probably buy new SS specific stuff..
until then, I've got a big box of old cassettes to pull
down when I need new sprockets or different gear ratios.
Initially, I ran without a tensioner, but after crushing my
nuts multiple times when the chain slipped, I figured a
tensioner was a better option. So, I used the original
AceraX rear derailer. Fit it as normal and run the chain
through it as normal. Pull the ends of the chain together
until it looks to be at the right amount of tension. Don't
do it too tight or you will wear chainrings/cogs out. Too
loose and you will reduce your likelihood of reproducing.
Break the chain and remove the excess links from where you
liked the look of the tension. Rejoin the chain. A front
derailer is not needed because your chainline and chain
tension will be spot on.. right? :p I've got wide bars on
mine - they are a standard SS fitment, but mine were on
because it was a trials bike prior to the SS conversion. I
run 32:15 on the road and 32:17 for mtb'ing. I'd prefer to
go higher than 32:15 on the road as I spin it out all the
time but it was the original setup and I'm too lazy to
change it. I just recently fitted a front vee brake.. not
because vee brakes are better than canti's but simply
because I bought them cheap and I really wanted to get rid
of the shifter-pod/brake units.. not much use with only one
gear unless you like to pretend changing gears!

> Has anyone done this before??

Me me me!!! :)
http://www.thehippy.net/Cycling/MyBikes/gtss/index.htm

Oh, I've just realised that these pics were taking after the
initial build, prior to having the derr. as a tensioner and
when I was using old cogs as spacers because I hadn't scored
the old cassettes yet.. I should post some new pics of it...
I'll let you know if I do... Note second picture - that
chain is too loose!

> Any tips/advice??

MTBR SS FAQ: http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml

MTBR SS Forum:
http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=46

> Possible sources of parts in Melbourne??

I got all my gear from Croydon Cycleworks (thanks Mick!) and
BikeLife (thanks Dean!)

> Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Coming your way... just ask...

hippy
 
hippy <[email protected]> wrote:
> Took some photos this arvo of my GT SS in its current form
> as a commuter/fish'n'chip shop bike: http://www.thehippy.-
> net/Cycling/MyBikes/gtss_mar04/index.html

> hippy "no lights, coz they just attract cars.."

So Hippy, as an experienced SS converter, what do you think
of this idea?

I'm in the process of building a new road bike which will
leave me with my current one. I was planning on just selling
it but I doubt whether it will be worth much money, so now
I'm thinking it might be a candidate for a SS conversion
with a flipflop hub.

It's a 55cm Bianchi steel frame about 5 years old. It's
currently an 8sp Daytona/Record mix but it's got 9sp
derailleurs.

Do you reckon this would be a reasonable candidate? I'd like
to leave the drops on it and have the flipflop hub with a SS
cog and a fixed cog on the other side.

It wouldn't have to cost $0, but it shouldn't cost much more
than that. I could use the existing lever(s) for brakes but
some old aero levers probably wouldn't cost much either.

It seems that most ppl tend to go for converting old MTBs
into SS so I don't know if SSing a roadie is worthwhile.

Opinions anyone?

BTW, hip, I got my UCI WC ticket the other day. THere
are still plenty left. I got one for the Sunday
afternoon finals.

--
Nick
 
Thanks for the tips guys.......when I get a chance I am
gonna hit up a couple of my local bike stores for a look
through the trash heap. Also gonna see if I can find a rigid
fork that will accept my old STX-RC centre pulls too as my
old Marzochi Zokes with 2" of elastomer travel (about 1.25"
taken up when I sit on the bike) are pretty ****.

Gags
 
>Originally posted by Nickzx6r
>It's a 55cm Bianchi steel frame about 5 years old. It's
>currently an 8sp Daytona/Record mix but it's got 9sp
>derailleurs.

Sounds like a good bike - you sure you wont regret
the conversion? If not, go for it! I want to do a road
machine using the White Industries "ENO" rear hub.
It's an eccentric hub with SS one side and fixed on
the other - perfect for this application. Mine would
replace the GTSS for commuting duties and the GT
would go back to mtb mode. These hubs aren't
cheap at around $250, but they are very cool.

Here's an ENO in action:
http://sheldonbrown.org/rambouillet/index.html

>Do you reckon this would be a reasonable candidate?

Reasonable? I'd say exceptional! :) Like I said.. are
you sure you wanna convert it? I like mine to be
real hack bikes - maintenance becomes secondary
to (typically free) replacement.

>I'd like to leave the drops on it and have the flipflop hub
>with a SS cog and a fixed cog on the other side.

ENO.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/white-hubs.html

>It wouldn't have to cost $0, but it shouldn't cost much
>more than that. I could use the existing lever(s) for brakes
>but some old aero levers probably wouldn't cost much
>either.

You shouldn't run a derrailer or chain tensioner like the
Surly with fixed gear so the ENO is still the option I
would choose. You'll have to rebuild the rear wheel
though - factor that cost in.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
http://www.altelco.net/~emenaker/bikingSS-FixedReference.htm

>It seems that most ppl tend to go for converting old MTBs
>into SS so I don't know if SSing a roadie is worthwhile.

I reckon it's a great idea and I'm just waiting on a
nice bike at the right price to come my way for the
conversion myself. The On One Il Pompino is a good
example of a commercial, road-going, SS.

>BTW, hip, I got my UCI WC ticket the other day.
>THere are still plenty left. I got one for the Sunday
>afternoon finals.

Wonder if there'll be any left when I come back in May?
Trying to save cash for the holiday.. "3 days and counting..."

hth
hippy
 
"Gags" wrote in message ...
> I have an old CrMo mountain bike frame that I am
> considering converting into a single speed, mainly for use
> as a commuter during the winter months to reduce my
> maintenance requirements (46km round trip commute along
> the Yarra Trail in Melbourne).
>
> The bike has old (bout 1996) STX-RC 21 speed drive train
> and my initial thought was to get a hold of some sort of
> spacers for the rear hub and then set it up with a single
> cog (this means I won't have to fork out for a single
> speed hub and then get a wheel built up on it). I was also
> hoping to source a crank with only a single chainwheel
> (don't think I can convert the triple) at a reasonable
> price. I think I also need to get some sort of tensioning
> device as the frame has vertical dropouts.
>
> Has anyone done this before??
>
> Any tips/advice??
>
> Possible sources of parts in Melbourne??
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Gags
>
>
I have an old Malvern star MTB frame (1993, maybe earlier)
sitting down in the garage that was supposed to be my single
speed project.

Unfortunately I walked into the BS near home and ended up
buying this

http://www.dirtworks.com.au/site/images/zoom/BRCCHB/Wild-
_Surly.jpg

: D

Parbs (did I say : D )
 
hippy <[email protected]> wrote:
>>Originally posted by Nickzx6r It's a 55cm Bianchi steel
>>frame about 5 years old. It's currently an 8sp
>>Daytona/Record mix but it's got 9sp derailleurs.

> Sounds like a good bike - you sure you wont regret the
> conversion? If not, go for it! I want to do a road
> machine using the White Industries "ENO" rear hub. It's
> an eccentric hub with SS one side and fixed on the other
> - perfect for this application. Mine would replace the
> GTSS for commuting duties and the GT would go back to mtb
> mode. These hubs aren't cheap at around $250, but they
> are very cool.

> Here's an ENO in action:
> http://sheldonbrown.org/rambouillet/index.html

>>Do you reckon this would be a reasonable candidate?

> Reasonable? I'd say exceptional! :) Like I said.. are you
> sure you wanna convert it? I like mine to be real hack
> bikes - maintenance becomes secondary to (typically free)
> replacement.

>>I'd like to leave the drops on it and have the flipflop
>>hub with a SS cog and a fixed cog on the other side.

> ENO. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/white-hubs.html

>>It wouldn't have to cost $0, but it shouldn't cost much
>>more than that. I could use the existing lever(s) for
>>brakes but some old aero levers probably wouldn't cost
>>much either.

> You shouldn't run a derrailer or chain tensioner like the
> Surly with fixed gear so the ENO is still the option I
> would choose. You'll have to rebuild the rear wheel though
> - factor that cost in.

> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
> http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html http://www.altelco.net/~emenaker/bikingSS-
> FixedReference.htm

>>It seems that most ppl tend to go for converting old MTBs
>>into SS so I don't know if SSing a roadie is worthwhile.

> I reckon it's a great idea and I'm just waiting on a nice
> bike at the right price to come my way for the conversion
> myself. The On One Il Pompino is a good example of a
> commercial, road-going, SS.

>>BTW, hip, I got my UCI WC ticket the other day. THere
>>are still plenty left. I got one for the Sunday
>>afternoon finals.

> Wonder if there'll be any left when I come back in May?
> Trying to save cash for the holiday.. "3 days and
> counting..."

> hth hippy

> --

Well I've finally saved enough money to pay for the new
dream bike, which is a Columbus Ultra Foco frame with
Centaur/maybe CHorus so I won't have use for a second
road bike. But I don't think the Bianchi is worth too
much 2nd hand.

It's done at least 20000kms (and almost all the bits have
been upgraded along the way). So the frame has plenty of
battle scars so I'm thinking maybe it's better off as a SS
commuter instead of selling it for not much money.

I take ages to think about, research and actually do
anything so there's plenty of time :) The new bike will be
'born' in about 6 weeks or so.

Cheers.

--
Nick
 
....

Has anyone done this before??

Any tips/advice??

Hey, I have just completed a similar project. For much the same reasons.

I turned a old MTB frame Specialized Rockhopper, into a single speed fixed wheel.

I had a similar plan of spending 0 $$$.

After some research, and some discussion with my LBS I ended up replacing the hub in my rear wheel with a track one.

I replaced the rear drop to track ones.

I also converted to 700c wheels and road brakes.

I have continued to use the triple crank on the middle chain ring.

It was easier to get the correct chain line with this approach. This is particularly
important for a fixed wheel, as you do not want to drop a chain on such a beast.

I luv the new ride…

Abbotsford cycles in Bridge road Richmond, did a great job on my bike.

Peter is a great bloke, and is more than willing to discuss your needs & budget and source 2nd hand parts.

Also:
http://www.63xc.com/gregg/101_3.htm

http://fixedgeargallery.com/

http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/home.frame.html

http://lists.davintech.ca/mailman/listinfo/fixed-gear

Good luck, but try a fixie.

If you see a red specialized fixie on the Yarra trail say hi.

NB if anyone has a track crank for sale....cheap...let me know.

humpy

Gags [/B][/QUOTE]
 
>Originally posted by Parbs

>I have an old Malvern star MTB frame (1993, maybe earlier)
>sitting down in the garage that was supposed to be my
>single speed project.

<homer> mmm fresh conversion meat.. </homer>

>Unfortunately I walked into the BS near home and ended
>up buying this
>http://www.dirtworks.com.au/site/images/zoom/BRCCHB/Wild_Surly.jpg

"unfortunately"? surely you jest? ;)

Really though, what's your opinion of the Surly? It's a
coincidence that I had the Surly page open as I read
this post.. looking at their tasty, SuzyJ-preferred, steel
frames.
So many choices! The 1x1 would be a good alternative to
the ever popular On-One "Inbred" (replacing my GT), and
the Pacer or Cross-Check would fit nicely into the role of
SS/fixed road commuter.

So many bikes, so little money, only two legs...

hippy
 
My LBS converted a cheap 10 speed steel framed roadie into a fixed wheel for $80. I left front and rear brakes on cause I'm a chicken. Hear me squawk as I ride the bike track!
 
Do it! It's like riding on air.

I converted my road bike to a SS when my derailer got ripped
to pieces in an accident. The only problem with a flip-flop
hub and vertical dropouts is you have to find exactly the
right chain length/gear combination. Check out this site to
help you calculate gears for a fixie with vertical dropouts:
http://www.peak.org/~fixin/personal/fmu/php/index.php You
may actually have to buy a half-link and a 1/8" chain to get
it to work. If you happen to have horizontal dropouts then
it's easy - the hardest part is dishing the wheel, but that
will be taken care of when you switch out the hub.

-Collin

"NickZX6R" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> hippy <[email protected]> wrote:
> > Took some photos this arvo of my GT SS in its current
> > form as a commuter/fish'n'chip shop bike: http://www.th-
> > ehippy.net/Cycling/MyBikes/gtss_mar04/index.html
>
> > hippy "no lights, coz they just attract cars.."
>
>
> So Hippy, as an experienced SS converter, what do you
> think of this idea?
>
> I'm in the process of building a new road bike which will
> leave me with my current one. I was planning on just
> selling it but I doubt whether it will be worth much
> money, so now I'm thinking it might be a candidate for a
> SS conversion with a flipflop hub.
>
> It's a 55cm Bianchi steel frame about 5 years old. It's
> currently an 8sp Daytona/Record mix but it's got 9sp
> derailleurs.
>
> Do you reckon this would be a reasonable candidate? I'd
> like to leave the drops on it and have the flipflop hub
> with a SS cog and a fixed cog on the other side.
>
> It wouldn't have to cost $0, but it shouldn't cost much
> more than that. I could use the existing lever(s) for
> brakes but some old aero levers probably wouldn't cost
> much either.
>
> It seems that most ppl tend to go for converting old MTBs
> into SS so I don't know if SSing a roadie is worthwhile.
>
> Opinions anyone?
>
>
> BTW, hip, I got my UCI WC ticket the other day. THere
> are still plenty left. I got one for the Sunday
> afternoon finals.
>
> --
> Nick
 
"hippy" wrote in message ...
> >Originally posted by Parbs
>
> >I have an old Malvern star MTB frame (1993, maybe
> >earlier) sitting down in the garage that was supposed to
> >be my single speed project.
>
> <homer> mmm fresh conversion meat.. </homer>
>
> >Unfortunately I walked into the BS near home and ended up
> >buying this http://www.dirtworks.com.au/site/images/zoom-
> >/BRCCHB/Wild_Surly.jpg
>
> "unfortunately"? surely you jest? ;)

Unfortunate to my bank balance, but so far enjoying
every minute (OK there were a few hills which I was
pining for granny).

>
> Really though, what's your opinion of the Surly? It's a
> coincidence that I had the Surly page open as I read this
> post.. looking at their tasty, SuzyJ-preferred, steel
> frames. So many choices! The 1x1 would be a good
> alternative to the ever popular On-One "Inbred" (replacing
> my GT), and the Pacer or Cross-Check would fit nicely into
> the role of SS/fixed road commuter.

So far she's been great, frame is great and the bike fits
well. With rigid forks its very responsive on tight twisty
single track. Suprisingly light too.

The devious plan was to get the rigid SS and still be able
to kick my friends collective arses on at least the
technical bits without them being able to use the excuse
"but you've got full suspension...". So far its working.

The Surly hubs aren't nice though - far too noisy.

> So many bikes, so little money, only two legs...
>
> hippy
>
I did sort of plan to get rid of one bike when I got the
Surly (and not get a roadie) but the old bike is still here
and the roadie - well Christmas is coming.

Parbs (Mmm Yulefest is closer)
 
"Collin O'Neill" <[email protected]> wrote:
> The only problem with a flip-flop hub and vertical dropouts
> is you have to find exactly the right chain length/gear
> combination.

Not if you use the ENO hub I suggested earlier. It is
eccentric and can be rotated to tension the chain. I'm
not sure what the max tooth limit is between the two
gears but there should be enough and it negates the
need for half-links.

http://www.whiteind.com/eno.htm

hippy
no, i don't sell ENO hubs :p
 
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