Singlespeed GT (again)

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I would basically use an existing cassette (actually just 1 sprocket from one) or a bmx sprocket.

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snip....

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If you have any suggestions for how best to setup this GT without resorting to throwing money at
it, that'd be great.

hippy

I made single speeds out of 2 GT frames, both 18". What I found was that running 34 - 17 gears was a
perfect fit, and ddn't need a singulator ( which I just bought!). Looks nice clean and simple too.

Dave

"Dave@fnq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I made single speeds out of 2 GT frames, both 18". What I found was that running 34 - 17 gears was
a perfect fit, and

ddn't

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need a singulator ( which I just bought!). Looks nice clean and simple too.

I had a look at my Avanti and I ride mostly with the middle ring (32 teeth I think?) and gear '5' on
the 8spd cluster which is 17T. I would probably use '6' which is 15T but that's the one missing all
the teeth! I might see if I can get hold of an old 34T chainring to try. Did you swap your cranks to
do this - or can I just bolt an aftermarket chainring onto the AceraX cranks? Any idea on the
chainstay length of your GT's?

thanks muchly dave!! hip

"hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Dave@fnq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I made single speeds out of 2 GT frames, both 18". What I found was that running 34 - 17 gears
was a perfect fit, and

ddn't

Quoted message said:

need a singulator ( which I just bought!). Looks nice clean and simple too.

I had a look at my Avanti and I ride mostly with the middle ring (32 teeth I think?) and gear '5'
on the 8spd cluster which is 17T. I would probably use '6' which is 15T but that's the one missing
all the teeth! I might see if I can get hold of an old 34T chainring to try. Did you swap your
cranks to do this - or can I just bolt an aftermarket chainring onto the AceraX cranks? Any idea
on the chainstay length of your GT's?

thanks muchly dave!! hip

I used the cranks I had, just took off the granny and big rings. Unfortunatly i've sold the GT
frames before I last moved so no longer have them, but i'm sure there is someone here who has an 18"
GT who can tell you. I used a Zaskar and a Polomar , and both had the same chainstay length.
Remember the size of the front and back rings is not so important, but the RATIO is. I chose 34 - 17
because I thought a 2:1 ratio was a good starting point, and just got lucky that they fit perfectly
on an 18" GT frame. People warned me about chain stretch and slippage with out the singulator, but
it was never a problem. One hint though, I found using bigger rings/ cogs to achieve the same ratio
is a better way to go. So a 34 - 17 combo is better than a 22-11 combo, even though they have the
same ratio of 2:1. (I think this is because the chain doesn't have such a tight turn at the rear
wheel, so seems easier to pedal, plus the ring/ cog should last longer because of less wear).

Dave

"Dave@fnq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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I used the cranks I had, just took off the granny and big rings.

I'll see how I go with what I've got on it, otherwise I might have to upgrade. To the parts
bin!!! ;-)

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Remember the size of the front and back rings is not so important, but the RATIO is. I chose 34 -
17 because I thought a 2:1 ratio was a good starting point, and just got lucky that they fit
perfectly on an 18" GT frame.

Yeah, I realise 2:1 is the generally accepted starting point, but I'm more concerned with getting
something that fits the frame without any need for a chain tensioner. Getting close to 2:1 is
certainly a consideration, but it doesn't have to be exactly that.

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One hint though, I found using bigger rings/ cogs to achieve the same

ratio

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is a better way to go. So a 34 - 17 combo is better than a 22-11 combo,

even

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though they have the same ratio of 2:1. (I think this is because the chain doesn't have such a
tight turn at the rear wheel, so seems easier to

pedal,

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plus the ring/ cog should last longer because of less wear).

Yep, I agree. I planned to try 32/16 first, simply because I could do that with only a bmx sprocket
and some spacers needed (assuming tension was ok). I think it might be a bit of a hit and miss game
trying to match chain length and front and rear sprocket sizes to get correct tension. Going 22/11
though does mean lighter weight and better chainring ground clearance, but these are not major
concerns for me.

You've sold them now but did you ride your GT's much? What did you think of them when they were
setup as SS?

cheers hippy

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You've sold them now but did you ride your GT's much? What did you think of them when they were
setup as SS?

cheers hippy

I only rode them to and from work on the road and short trips into the city (a bonus for me was that
they had rigid forks). Maybe I should have tried them off-road, but I thought I might be too soft
for a rigid single speed after riding a geared duelly for so long! :-) The first thing that struck
me on the first ride was how quiet it was! You don't realise how noisy a geared bike can be. The
next thing was I kept going to change gears every time I got near a hill (up and down). With all
this talk of single speeds I might change my hard tail into one! (also a GT). Where I live now
(Cairns) is pretty flat around town so it is perfect for one.

Dave

"Dave@fnq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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I only rode them to and from work on the road and short trips into the

city

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(a bonus for me was that they had rigid forks).

Same here, at least until I get better chain tension for off-road use. Dropped chain 5 times riding
the 52k return trip to work on Sat. Not bad, but no good for off-road use.

Here it is: openwindows.com.auindex.htmOpen ↗

I didn't have enough spacers so there are still sprockets on the back, but they are unusable -
purely for spacing until i find some more dead cassettes to pull apart. Brakes need some tweaking
too as well as the general riding position. I'll get there...

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Maybe I should have tried them off-road, but I thought I might be too soft for a rigid single
speed after riding a geared duelly for so long! :-) The first thing that struck me on the first
ride was how quiet it was! You don't realise how noisy a geared bike can be.

Mine is pretty quiet except for the pedals. They have no bearings in them, I'm sure! But hey, they
were free from my LBS (along with the cranks and cassette for the rear sprocket) so I no complain!
;-) I'm going to replace the chain and the chainring with new ones so that should up the tension a
little bit as well as making it quieter/smoother with ramp-less teeth.

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The next thing was I kept going to change gears every time I got near a

hill

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(up and down).

Well, I was riding my 24spd HT to and from work without changing gears so I think I will manage when
there are no gears to change! :-) I was practicing SS riding to see which gear ratio I liked.

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With all this talk of single speeds I might change my hard tail into one! (also a GT).

Do it! You know you want to! ;-)

Just to let anyone reading this thread know.. the SingleSpeed World Championships are being held in
Castlemaine, Victoria in November this year. See: atomic-industries.comatomic-industries.comOpen ↗

hippy

snippity snip .................

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With all this talk of single speeds I might change my hard tail into

one!

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(also a GT).

Do it! You know you want to! ;-)

I bought a stem off ebay to go with my rear hub (screw-on), which was going to be the basis of a new
SS. When I got the stem I found out it was a 1" not 1 1/8 (bugger). So what do I do? sell the 1"
stem or buy a frame with a 1" headtube? The stem is a brand new never used Ringle` (red anno too),
got it for $15! I think I gotta find a cheaper hobby/ sport :-)

Dave

"Dave@fnq" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

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I bought a stem off ebay to go with my rear hub (screw-on), which was

going

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to be the basis of a new SS. When I got the stem I found out it was a 1" not 1 1/8 (bugger).

I think the GT uses a 1" steerer.. it's certainly not Aheadset lookin'.

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So what do I do? sell the 1" stem or buy a frame with a 1" headtube?

I'd sell the stem, unless you can find a free frame with 1" headtube. No point _buying_ old stuff is
there (ok, sometimes there is but I'd go for 1 1/8th).

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The stem is a brand new never used Ringle` (red anno too), got it for $15!

I could buy it off you.. yeah, it'd be a big step in completing my total domination of the "World's
Ugliest Bike" Title! :-) (Nothing against the stem, just red + my grey/green thing.. urgh!)

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I think I gotta find a cheaper hobby/ sport :-)

Gee imagine if it was one of those ITM "The Stem". They are currently... looking, looking... Price:
$774.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (www.cecilwalker.com.au)

I need to lie down... hippy