Any Single Speeders On Here
Discussion
Hello Everybody,
I'm going to strip down my rather rubbish second (mountain) bike and convert it over to a single speed.
I don't want to spend much money or time on it as it will be left in town on shopping trips and could go missing one day.
Are there any good links or tips anybody would like to share.
Any thoughts or comments might also be useful (I hope
).
I have seen some people seem to use chain tensioners and others don't bother...are they worth fitting ?
Thanks,
Andy
I'm going to strip down my rather rubbish second (mountain) bike and convert it over to a single speed.
I don't want to spend much money or time on it as it will be left in town on shopping trips and could go missing one day.
Are there any good links or tips anybody would like to share.
Any thoughts or comments might also be useful (I hope
).I have seen some people seem to use chain tensioners and others don't bother...are they worth fitting ?
Thanks,
Andy
I've been looking at doing similar with an old mountain bike. I can find lots of sites about fixies (http://www.londonfgss.com/) but not much about mountain conversion. At the moment, as funds are limited, I've removed the front deraileur and created a simpler seven speed. Not sure if I've got the balls (or the stamina) to go to a fixed hub.
Only just getting into mountain biking.
Can anyone explain to me the logic of a single speed, it seems a step backwards to me, potentially you will never have the right gear, wrong for up hill, wrong for down hills etc
I remember been so excited as a kid to go from a single speed to a 3 speed sturmy archer! (it was a few years ago!!)
That said, Trek do a bike with a 29" front wheel, and it's the same list price for a 27 gear as it is for a single speed! More profit for Trek with no gears??
Can anyone explain to me the logic of a single speed, it seems a step backwards to me, potentially you will never have the right gear, wrong for up hill, wrong for down hills etc
I remember been so excited as a kid to go from a single speed to a 3 speed sturmy archer! (it was a few years ago!!)
That said, Trek do a bike with a 29" front wheel, and it's the same list price for a 27 gear as it is for a single speed! More profit for Trek with no gears??
single speed is ultimately much less maintenance and much less to go wrong. essentially its grown from the couriers to the rest of cycling.
off road single speeders are more popular htan you might think, epcecially in the winter when you dont want toget rear mechs, cassettes etc covered in crap. sure you only have the one gear and finding that optimum ratio is the stuff of legends but it does make your legs work harder throughout the day.
off road single speeders are more popular htan you might think, epcecially in the winter when you dont want toget rear mechs, cassettes etc covered in crap. sure you only have the one gear and finding that optimum ratio is the stuff of legends but it does make your legs work harder throughout the day.
You can get a kit from I think DMR which is a single speed cog and spacers that you put on the old free body and juggle the spacers to get the chain line correct. If your bike has vertical drop outs you will need a chain tensioner. They are not a problem, look for the smallest you can find. Can't use a tensioner on a fixed though, so you have to keep the free wheel if you have vertical ie non adjustable drop outs.
Hi , I have a Merlin Fat Ti that I have converted to single speed.
as a chain tensioner , I used the rather natty new Shimano Alfine one , that they made for their new rear hub gear arrangement
http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycl...
An 8 speed chain (because it is stronger) and the middle ring from an old crank set on the front.
originally I used a DMR spacer and cog set on my usual rear wheel, but recently swapped the cog.
NB worth spending the time to get the chain line just so
The plan is to have a bike that is relatively mud proof in the winter and that acts as a good leveller when biking with the Mrs.
It won't replace my main bike , but I have to say , I find it surprisingly enjoyable
as a chain tensioner , I used the rather natty new Shimano Alfine one , that they made for their new rear hub gear arrangement
http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycl...
An 8 speed chain (because it is stronger) and the middle ring from an old crank set on the front.
originally I used a DMR spacer and cog set on my usual rear wheel, but recently swapped the cog.
NB worth spending the time to get the chain line just so
The plan is to have a bike that is relatively mud proof in the winter and that acts as a good leveller when biking with the Mrs.
It won't replace my main bike , but I have to say , I find it surprisingly enjoyable
If your frame has vertical drop-outs, you wil almost certainly need a chain tensioner to maintain the tension, unless you are very lucky with the length of the stays and the chainring/sprocket combination. Don't be put off by the tensioner though, they work effectively, although I personally believe the 'push up' ones are better at their task than the push down ones, simply because more sprocket teeth are engaging with the chain that way. Probably best off starting with a 32:16 ratio unless it's particularly hilly, and then work it out from there whether you would prefer to make it harder or easier.
DMR make very good conversion kits, and you can also get stuff from On One. Their Groove Armada sprockets are good because of the wider base which doesn't dig into the freehub casing as much.
I was sceptical about singlespeeds until about 3 years ago, when I first tried it. Initially it's tough, you'll walk hills you would ride on a geared bike and you'll be breathing out of your backside on the ones you do ride. Also, your thumbs will be looking for things to do! However, after a handful of rides, it will start to make sense, you'll realise when you need to stand up and grunt it, or when you can keep sitting down. Each session will help develop leg power, and your speed will increase the more you do it. It will also improve your riding as you will look to conserve momentum wherever you are on the trail, pumping drops and staying off the brakes as much as possible. It's also fun riding past geared bikes on uphills, although it is best to look like you're enjoying it rather than suffering as you undoubtedly will be.
As mentioned, during the winter they really come into their own given the lack of maintenance needed (occasional wash) and once in a while replace the rear sprocket and chain, rather than those and a rear derailleur and a full cassette. It does save you money in the long run.
One tip is to use lock on grips as you'll be hauling on the bars more than normal (and developing arm, chest and back strength at the same time). A grip coming loose while charging up a hill wouldn't be a nice thought.
All of this is related to singlespeed MTB's using a freewheel. Fixed wheel off-road is a completely different subject and needs a level of jedi-like control to even get round an XC loop without dabbing, let alone quickly.
DMR make very good conversion kits, and you can also get stuff from On One. Their Groove Armada sprockets are good because of the wider base which doesn't dig into the freehub casing as much.
I was sceptical about singlespeeds until about 3 years ago, when I first tried it. Initially it's tough, you'll walk hills you would ride on a geared bike and you'll be breathing out of your backside on the ones you do ride. Also, your thumbs will be looking for things to do! However, after a handful of rides, it will start to make sense, you'll realise when you need to stand up and grunt it, or when you can keep sitting down. Each session will help develop leg power, and your speed will increase the more you do it. It will also improve your riding as you will look to conserve momentum wherever you are on the trail, pumping drops and staying off the brakes as much as possible. It's also fun riding past geared bikes on uphills, although it is best to look like you're enjoying it rather than suffering as you undoubtedly will be.
As mentioned, during the winter they really come into their own given the lack of maintenance needed (occasional wash) and once in a while replace the rear sprocket and chain, rather than those and a rear derailleur and a full cassette. It does save you money in the long run.
One tip is to use lock on grips as you'll be hauling on the bars more than normal (and developing arm, chest and back strength at the same time). A grip coming loose while charging up a hill wouldn't be a nice thought.
All of this is related to singlespeed MTB's using a freewheel. Fixed wheel off-road is a completely different subject and needs a level of jedi-like control to even get round an XC loop without dabbing, let alone quickly.
I've just converted my GT Avalanche to a single speed. It is an easy job to do (providing you have means to remove the rear cassette), took an hour or so to remove the shifters, derailleurs, cables and the like.
Fitted a chain tensioner which I got from a local bike shop for about £12 and a 12t rear cog, shortened the chain by 5 or 6 links and hey presto
It does take a bit of getting used to, but providing youir legs keep spinning on any road sections you should have no problems.
Fitted a chain tensioner which I got from a local bike shop for about £12 and a 12t rear cog, shortened the chain by 5 or 6 links and hey presto
It does take a bit of getting used to, but providing youir legs keep spinning on any road sections you should have no problems.
Thanks for the responses, looks like I will need a tensioner as I have vertical drop outs.
A single speed would be a great leveller for me also as the wife and I ride to work daily on hybrids and I cant help storming off into the distance like a whippit after a rabbit.... no idea why as I can't stick the place
For others thinking of going down this route I have found a few links which may be of use.
This guy seems to be into single speed in a big way
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/index.htm
some of his youtube stuff is informative too....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93M9lvl8LM8
A single speed would be a great leveller for me also as the wife and I ride to work daily on hybrids and I cant help storming off into the distance like a whippit after a rabbit.... no idea why as I can't stick the place
For others thinking of going down this route I have found a few links which may be of use.
This guy seems to be into single speed in a big way
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/index.htm
some of his youtube stuff is informative too....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93M9lvl8LM8
I had one of my worst ever crashes on a SS, I was having a gentle cruise in the local forest when I decided to 'sprint' out of the singletrack on to the fireroad, as I stood up on the pedals and applied the power the chain slipped off the rear sprocket and all the power that was propelling me forward sent me straight into the ground, ouch.
I run a fully rigid SS and whilst it is fun it's certainly not my favourite bike, if you find a nice smooth trail then it is fun but otherwise it can be very frustrating.
Saying that, I did go faster than the pros going downhill on it at Mountain Mayhem a few years ago
I run a fully rigid SS and whilst it is fun it's certainly not my favourite bike, if you find a nice smooth trail then it is fun but otherwise it can be very frustrating.
Saying that, I did go faster than the pros going downhill on it at Mountain Mayhem a few years ago
Also if you can split your seat stay (unlikely) then you can run the new Gates Carbon drive belt system.
http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/whycds.php?lang=...
I had a go on bike kitted out with this the other day, and was amazed at the feeling. Its incredibly direct and although there is a little bit of drag when you backpedal this vanishes when going forward.
Wouldn't hesitate to fit it my bike (if I could, which I can't)
Andy
http://www.carbondrivesystems.com/whycds.php?lang=...
I had a go on bike kitted out with this the other day, and was amazed at the feeling. Its incredibly direct and although there is a little bit of drag when you backpedal this vanishes when going forward.
Wouldn't hesitate to fit it my bike (if I could, which I can't)
Andy
Be careful buying a chain tensioner - not all fit all frames. The DMR one for example wouldn't fit my kinesis winter bike.
TBH I prefer a 9 speed set-up anyway - not much heavier and means you have the best of both worlds TBH. Before I knackered my back, I could climb any hill on it that I could with my 27sp full sus. Other than missing out of fast descents, you really don't need any more than 9 gears IME.
TBH I prefer a 9 speed set-up anyway - not much heavier and means you have the best of both worlds TBH. Before I knackered my back, I could climb any hill on it that I could with my 27sp full sus. Other than missing out of fast descents, you really don't need any more than 9 gears IME.
http://thumbsnap.com/v/b4jdtMRg.jpg
This is the stage i am at in making a single speed. All ready for the callipers and crank. My LBS is going to put in a modern bottom bracket as this was an old cottered crank originaly. The project sort of stalled as i couldnt decide on a crank. Ill pick something up once the BB is on. Also the callipers i reacon are going to need a pretty big reach to meet the rims. Im looking at a tidy looking pair of Miche ones in black.
This is the stage i am at in making a single speed. All ready for the callipers and crank. My LBS is going to put in a modern bottom bracket as this was an old cottered crank originaly. The project sort of stalled as i couldnt decide on a crank. Ill pick something up once the BB is on. Also the callipers i reacon are going to need a pretty big reach to meet the rims. Im looking at a tidy looking pair of Miche ones in black.
Singlespeeds have their place. It's not my only bike, in fact it's not my only hardtail, but I've got a dedicated SS. I started off with a tensioner and SS conversion kit on a normal frame, but in the end bought a Dialled Bikes Love/Hate frame with an eccentric bottom bracket (this allows you to change the BB position and take up slack in the chain without needing a tensioner). I recently changed to a Gary Fisher Rig 29er (now that's a whole other niche...) and am loving it.
My SS is the bike I'll grab for weekday night runs and the occasional weekend blast, but I rarely do more than 3-4hr rides on it. It's the simplicity, ease of maintenance and lack of faff that I like, plus there's the challenge of riding the damn thing too.
Charlie the bike monger's a good bloke - an absolute loony at times, but a good bloke. He was completed wasted at SSUK09 (national singlespeed champs) and tried to give my away a very nice SS chainring. Not sure he was completely with it so I handed it back...
My SS is the bike I'll grab for weekday night runs and the occasional weekend blast, but I rarely do more than 3-4hr rides on it. It's the simplicity, ease of maintenance and lack of faff that I like, plus there's the challenge of riding the damn thing too.
Charlie the bike monger's a good bloke - an absolute loony at times, but a good bloke. He was completed wasted at SSUK09 (national singlespeed champs) and tried to give my away a very nice SS chainring. Not sure he was completely with it so I handed it back...
I built my SS from an old aluminium MTB frame I found down a dark alley one night. I filed the dropouts horizontal (can't generally recommend doing this, but unofficially Thanet Speed Shop says,"WTF"), ground the big and little
rings off the front chainwheel and fitted a back wheel with a siezed 7-speed sprocket to give fixed gear. Having discovered that I don't have the balance/co-ordination for track stands I wasn't too upset when the freewheel eventually un-siezed itself and left me single-speeded.
Anyway, the point is that ya' don't need very long dropouts to get a nice chain tension ('specially if you use a 1/2 link) and it's a hoot to ride. Bearing in mind that I'm old, fat (no, really - over 20st) and have dodgy knees I ride this as my main bike and although I don't actually off-road much it gets me everywhere and I can just about struggle up most of the, admittedly fairly small, hills round our way, although I only pull a 62" gear.
Get that rat-tail file out and just do it...
rings off the front chainwheel and fitted a back wheel with a siezed 7-speed sprocket to give fixed gear. Having discovered that I don't have the balance/co-ordination for track stands I wasn't too upset when the freewheel eventually un-siezed itself and left me single-speeded.
Anyway, the point is that ya' don't need very long dropouts to get a nice chain tension ('specially if you use a 1/2 link) and it's a hoot to ride. Bearing in mind that I'm old, fat (no, really - over 20st) and have dodgy knees I ride this as my main bike and although I don't actually off-road much it gets me everywhere and I can just about struggle up most of the, admittedly fairly small, hills round our way, although I only pull a 62" gear.
Get that rat-tail file out and just do it...
thanetspeedshop said:
I built my SS from an old aluminium MTB frame I found down a dark alley one night. I filed the dropouts horizontal (can't generally recommend doing this, but unofficially Thanet Speed Shop says,"WTF"), ground the big and little
rings off the front chainwheel and fitted a back wheel with a siezed 7-speed sprocket to give fixed gear. Having discovered that I don't have the balance/co-ordination for track stands I wasn't too upset when the freewheel eventually un-siezed itself and left me single-speeded.
Anyway, the point is that ya' don't need very long dropouts to get a nice chain tension ('specially if you use a 1/2 link) and it's a hoot to ride. Bearing in mind that I'm old, fat (no, really - over 20st) and have dodgy knees I ride this as my main bike and although I don't actually off-road much it gets me everywhere and I can just about struggle up most of the, admittedly fairly small, hills round our way, although I only pull a 62" gear.
Get that rat-tail file out and just do it...
Superb!rings off the front chainwheel and fitted a back wheel with a siezed 7-speed sprocket to give fixed gear. Having discovered that I don't have the balance/co-ordination for track stands I wasn't too upset when the freewheel eventually un-siezed itself and left me single-speeded.
Anyway, the point is that ya' don't need very long dropouts to get a nice chain tension ('specially if you use a 1/2 link) and it's a hoot to ride. Bearing in mind that I'm old, fat (no, really - over 20st) and have dodgy knees I ride this as my main bike and although I don't actually off-road much it gets me everywhere and I can just about struggle up most of the, admittedly fairly small, hills round our way, although I only pull a 62" gear.
Get that rat-tail file out and just do it...
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