Converting MTB to Single Speed

[tuffer]

Now I have my (not so)shiny new FS MTB I am thinking of converting my old Canondale rigid into a single speed tarmac bike. Walking around London yesterday I saw some nice examples of what I am looking for, skinny semi-slick tyres, some weird kicked up handlebars etc. So, is it worth it, anyone done it, where do I get the parts, will the geometry be all wrong, can I convert my existing wheels?
Looking for this kind of thing:

[Number31]

You could start here

More info here

[Beyond Rational]

I bought some parts to do this today. Superstar again (I'm honestly unconnected to them) because they offered a choice of sprockets (sounds like the 20t is a duffer tho), a range of spacers to get the chainline right, a drilled sprocket to save a few grams and free postage, unlike On-One.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

Will also be using a Yess ETR-B because I think it looks neater than rear tensioners.

The White Industries Eno hub looks like a lovely bit of kit, just too expensive, too much hassle and too much potential for disc brake incompatibility for me this time.

[anonymous-user]

almost certainly going to be vertical dropouts on a mtb of that age, you can get reasonable chain tension by mucking about with sprocket size and chain length and a tensioner.

the real issue will be the forks, they will weigh a fair bit and changing them to rigid forks requires finding rigid forks with disc mounts. of course if you have v-brakes, you should be ok.

[custardkid]

you'll need a singleator or an old mech chopped down to sort the chain tension

custard

[offendi]

Beyond Rational said:

I bought some parts to do this today. Superstar again (I'm honestly unconnected to them) because they offered a choice of sprockets (sounds like the 20t is a duffer tho), a range of spacers to get the chainline right, a drilled sprocket to save a few grams and free postage, unlike On-One.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cP...

Will also be using a Yess ETR-B because I think it looks neater than rear tensioners.

The White Industries Eno hub looks like a lovely bit of kit, just too expensive, too much hassle and too much potential for disc brake incompatibility for me this time.

O/T

Ive not dealt with superstar yet , would you recocmend them ? any reservations?


sorry for the interuption

R/T

i run the DMR tension wotsit , no complaints so far

[tuffer]

They seem to have plenty of stuff that is "sold out", most of which is the stuff I want.

[paulshears]

pablo said:

the real issue will be the forks, they will weigh a fair bit and changing them to rigid forks requires finding rigid forks with disc mounts. of course if you have v-brakes, you should be ok.

I've recently fitted some carbon forks to my road going MTB

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/bikefridge/m.html?_nkw=R...

Old RST suspension forks weighed around 2500g ... carbon forks around 800g

42.5mm long forks for older bikes (like mine) that came with 75/80mm travel forks

44.5mm long forks for newer bikes (100mm travel)

I looked at aluminum & steel fork's, but they were mainly 44.5mm long or heavy (1500g plus) "jump" forks

[Beyond Rational]

offendi said:

O/T

Ive not dealt with superstar yet , would you recocmend them ? any reservations?


sorry for the interuption

R/T

i run the DMR tension wotsit , no complaints so far

O/T - Based I my experience I would recommend them, but I have heard stories about poor customer service. Quite a lot of their stuff is the same as products sold with brand names (On-One, Sunline, Nuke Proof) so the quality can be very good, only less expensive. So far I've only bought simple, relatively low cost items like stems, grips and brake pads - not sure I'd be brave enough to buy expensive or likely to go wrong items. Stock levels vary probably due to when the containers from the far east arrive.

[tuffer]

Its a hardtail with solid forks but it is in really good condition despite being approx 12 - 14 years old. Will post some pics up and see if anyone can identify the model.

[gary71]

I'm also on a 16 year old rigid Cannondale (M500), but I need all the gears I can get with my fitness! It would be a clean look though as the geometry is quite old school and more racer than MTB.

I'll be interested to see how you get on with the conversion.

[Pupp]

Sounds good... did my old Orange C16R a couple of summers ago using the Eno Eccentric hub to overcome vertical dropouts. Made up some wheels using 650c Velocity Deep V rims, and run 48/15 fixed. Kept the MTB handlebars and ends but added and old pair of Spinnachi copies to give a slightly more tucked in alternative position. Brilliant to ride, very nippy, and gets more attention than any of my collection