Single speed conversion
Discussion
Guys,
I have stripped down my old MTB to convert to SS as a back up winter commuter for my road bike. Does anyone have any recommendations for what SS kit I should buy...
I think I need:
Chain
Tensioner
Crankset ( although I could use the big ring from the original)
Rear sprocket
Loads of spacers to get the chain straight!!
Have I missed anything?
Thanks
I have stripped down my old MTB to convert to SS as a back up winter commuter for my road bike. Does anyone have any recommendations for what SS kit I should buy...
I think I need:
Chain
Tensioner
Crankset ( although I could use the big ring from the original)
Rear sprocket
Loads of spacers to get the chain straight!!
Have I missed anything?
Thanks
Everything you need to know will be here: http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
IroningMan said:
Find Charlie the Bikemonger.
He's here: www.charliethebikemonger.comAll you need on there. Very simple to do though - just need a singlespeed specific cog & spacers to go on in place of your cassette and a tensioner.
Charlie sells complete kits, for the purpose of. He'll also offer you advice if need be.
Digga said:
IroningMan said:
Find Charlie the Bikemonger.
He's here: www.charliethebikemonger.comAll you need on there. Very simple to do though - just need a singlespeed specific cog & spacers to go on in place of your cassette and a tensioner.
Charlie sells complete kits, for the purpose of. He'll also offer you advice if need be.
Moikey Fortune said:
Can't you just leave the bike as it is and adjust the rear derailleur screws to fix it's position on the cog you want to use?
You can, but then you're carting around surplus gubbins - and simplicity is one of the alleged joys of single speed/fixed cycling.I have an old Dawes steel frame which I have been wondering about converting into a single speed for a while - might just dig it out at the weekend and see how rusty it is.
A nice new Pompino, Macianato or some such is going to be the thick end of £400 - and I don't want a single speed that much, but I'd quite enjoy stripping and restoring the old frame and shouldn't need to spend much more than £150 or so on the bits - chain, chainset, BB, SS cogs & spacers, seatpost, saddle and bar tape plus a couple of tyres and some brake cables.
You're right about the tensioner - if the dropouts won't allow me to do without one then the idea doesn't fly.
You're right about the tensioner - if the dropouts won't allow me to do without one then the idea doesn't fly.
Superstar Components are worth a look to. I recommend a 'wide base' sprocket for fitting to the rear wheels freehub.
ETA: although a suitable sprocket might already be part of the cassette you take off - assuming it hasn't worn out.
You may also try a bottom bracket mounted chain guide rather than a rear tensioner if 'neatness' is an issue.
ETA: although a suitable sprocket might already be part of the cassette you take off - assuming it hasn't worn out.
You may also try a bottom bracket mounted chain guide rather than a rear tensioner if 'neatness' is an issue.
Edited by mk1fan on Thursday 27th September 23:15
Having tried a few options for this I've settled on the Gusset Doublesix conversion kit for the cassette, and Surly Singleator for the chain tensioner. Have used this combination on two bikes for a few years now with absolutely no issue at all. In particular the Doublesix sprockets have a nice wide base which stops them putting gouges into your hub.
shouldbworking said:
Trouble is once you've bought a conversion kit and spent time faffing with it you may as well have bought a cheap new singlespeed. And if it requires a tensioner that just ruins it entirely in my opinion 
Either you have extortionate faffing rates, or access to very cheap singlespeed bikes, because looking on t'website, the kits kick-off at under 45 squids and, from personal experience, don't take much sorting.http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/complete-one-s...
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