The joys of a shonky, spare parts singlespeed

[MC Bodge]

I recently put together a singlespeed 26er hard tail mtb from an 03 Kona and a combination of various old parts kicking around in my shed and have been using it for night rides.

I had ridden singlespeed a few years ago, but not for a long time.

I'm using a 32:16 ratio and riding it on various hilly, rocky and muddy terrain.

It is superb and cleaning the forks and chain is the limit of my maintenance.

Basically, It's not about how flash your bike is.

[MC Bodge]

Once the bike is fully functional, and not too hefty, you don't really need that much else.

Admittedly, my parts bin did contain a battered set of Hope/Mavic wheels and old disc brakes, but it qualifies as shonky as the rear brake is a now a mismatched calliper and lever combo that appears to work. The old Continental Vertical tyre has been excellent too.

[MC Bodge]

timolloyd said:

I've got a spare mountain bike that I've been wanting to convert to single speed for ages. Can anyone recommend a kit, or list of items needed? I'm particularly concerned with getting chain tension right.

It is very easy.

The cheapest way:

take the spacers out of 2 old gear cassettes and one of the 16 tooth sprockets. Arrange them with the sprocket in the middle (as close to aligned with the front chainring as possible) and fit to the free hub.

Use an old/broken rear mech as the tensioner. I chopped off the lower jockey wheel too.

If you want to do it a bit posher, buy a single speed sprocket, BMX chain and maybe a half-link, sprocket spacers and a chain tensioner (I prefer the chopped down rear mech)

[MC Bodge]

TwistingMyMelon said:

Sounds the same as my commute, quite hilly roads with 2 miles of gravel at end.

I have a 45/16 could be a 15 actually

Ironically the steep hills are ok, they are a bit of a grinding workout, but not too bad. The slight loong hills in headwinds can be a pita and makes me wish I has a smaller gear.

What you might find is a 38/16 suits one way of the the commute but is a bit spinny on the the other way, thats what I find, I want an easier gear for way in to work and the current gear for the way home!

I suggest multiple gears. You can even change gears on the move.

I wouldn't want a singlespeed road bike, conditions can require different ratios to allow a suitable cadence. Off road single speed is great as cadence is changing a lot anyway.