converting geared rear wheel to single speed?

[LordOpie]

The only bike I have left that's 700c is my single-speed. Might as well use my Mavic Open Pro/Ultegras. There's a 9-speed hub on there.

What would I do to make the switch? Just take the hub off?

And I assume I can buy a bolt-on skewer to replace the quick-release?

Thankie :)

[ire]

You can get a bolt on skewer and there is a spacing kit that will allow you to run single speed...lemme find it

[ire]

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13456-220_GUS1C4-3-Parts-51-Cassettes/Gusset-1-ER-Single-Speed-Conversion-Kit.htm

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/D_220%20GUS1C4.jpg

[MtnbikeMike]

There are a few spacer kits available.

http://www.jensonusa.com/search/?s=single+speed+spacer+kit&btnSearch.x=0&btnSearch.y=0

Edit...ninja'ed

[ire]

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14243-295_DELAR5-3-Parts-71-Skewers/Delta-Axlerodz-Skewers.htm

http://www.pricepoint.com/images/styleImages/D_295%20DELAR5.jpg

[LordOpie]

Thanks!

However...

1. would that still put me at 135mm wide? I'll have to measure as I can't find the rear spacing width online.

2. FAQ says I'd need a chain tensioner, which I don't have, nor want. So I'm not sure that'll work for me?

[johnbryanpeters]

Why the hell would you replace a QR skewer with a bolt-on? You're not gaining any strength...

[LordOpie]

Why the hell would you replace a QR skewer with a bolt-on? You're not gaining any strength...

I'm not sure any of the skewers I have on hand would hold? Also, just don't need QR on the bike.

[ire]

Thanks!

However...

1. would that still put me at 135mm wide? I'll have to measure as I can't find the rear spacing width online.

2. FAQ says I'd need a chain tensioner, which I don't have, nor want. So I'm not sure that'll work for me?

They make half links for BMX chains and that may be an option to get the chain tensioned properly. The setup I posted puts the cog literally right in the middle of the cassette, so if that spacing doesn't work you'll want to use individual spacers instead.

http://www.customriders.com/prod_imgs/CHGU9660.jpg

[LordOpie]

They make half links for BMX chains and that may be an option to get the chain tensioned properly. The setup I posted puts the cog literally right in the middle of the cassette, so if that spacing doesn't work you'll want to use individual spacers instead.

ok, so the idea is to leave the hub on, just use spacers and the gear? Get the chainline in-line and I'm good?

Got plenty of room on the horizontal dropouts, so if tensioning is just for chain line, then I'll go individual spacers. Now I have to measure :)

[ire]

ok, so the idea is to leave the hub on, just use spacers and the gear? Get the chainline in-line and I'm good?

Got plenty of room on the horizontal dropouts, so if tensioning is just for chain line, then I'll go individual spacers. Now I have to measure :)

You have Horz dropouts? I mentioned half links becuase I thought it was a standard dropout frame. What I would do is buy a bunch of spacers and the cog that you want, get the spacing on the rear cog to be inline with the chainring and then use the horz. dropouts to tension the chain.

<edit> a standard skewer will work on the rear wheel, unless you are jumping (casing causes it to slip) or you have legs like McEwen

[LordOpie]

You have Horz dropouts? I mentioned half links becuase I thought it was a standard dropout frame. What I would do is buy a bunch of spacers and the cog that you want, get the spacing on the rear cog to be inline with the chainring and then use the horz. dropouts to tension the chain.

<edit> a standard skewer will work on the rear wheel, unless you are jumping (casing causes it to slip) or you have legs like McEwen

Cool. Thank. I'll go with the QR and see how that works.

[Wumpus]

Those thin cogs can gouge your casstette body. You need to get something like a surly, king or on-one cog.


Some people have been known to just use some pvc pipe to dail in the chainline.


I wouldn't trust a bolt-on skewer to hold the wheel without some type of tug(surly etc.).

[ire]

Those thin cogs can gouge your casstette body.

How are they any different than an Ultegra cassette? A bunch of the cogs are thin

[LordOpie]

I'm not certain what a "tug" is, but the bolts that came with my single-speed seem to be doing a brilliant job, so I was just gonna use them on the bolt-on skewer I bought, but gonna hold off on that and try the QR for shiggles :)

but I'll take your suggestion and go with Surly since I'm now a surly whore.

[splat]

Take a Couple of old cassettes a part take all the spacers and use them as the spacers on a old cassette hub. and since you are using so many spacers you can make sure you get the chain line right .

[LordOpie]

Take a Couple of old cassettes a part take all the spacers and use them as the spacers on a old cassette hub. and since you are using so many spacers you can make sure you get the chain line right .

brillliant!

I do have several laying around. I suppose I could use other loose gears as spacers too if I need 'em. Make some sort of Death Race 2000 'cassette' :D

[ire]

...go with Surly since I'm now a surly whore.

How could you not when they produce quality products like this:

http://www.surlybikes.com/stuff/images/jethro.jpg

[LoboDelFuego]

I'm not certain what a "tug" is

It's a small device that attaches to your skewer that prevents the skewer from slipping forward in a horizontal dropout, or falling out of a vertical dropout under extreme chain tension. I'm sure you've seen them on BMX bikes. They can also be used to easily set chain tension, since they function as a sliding dropout in that regard.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/redline-monocog-rhub.jpg

[Wumpus]

How are they any different than an Ultegra cassette? A bunch of the cogs are thin


Because over time the load is distributed over the whole cassette as opposed to all the load on a single cog all the time.

[ire]

Because over time the load is distributed over the whole cassette as opposed to all the load on a single cog all the time.

But that cassette uses individual cogs, there is no load distribution

http://bike.shimano.com/media/techdocs/content/cycle/EV/bikecomponents/CS/EV-CS-7800-2253_v1_m56577569830608753.pdf

[Wumpus]

I guess it only applys to fatasses like me.

For cassette rear hubs, will a BMX cog work better than a Hyperglide® cog removed from my cassette?


Yes.

You can easily disassemble some cassette models and use one of the individual cogs (e.g. - Shimano Hyperglide® cogs) for a single speed conversion. However, these cogs are designed with profiled teeth that aid in shifting. When used on a single speed, the profiled teeth are more likely to allow your chain to derail. The teeth are also fairly short (in comparison with those on a BMX cog), which may lead to chain skipping under load, especially with small (< 16T) cogs with relatively little chain wrap.

In contrast, BMX cogs are designed with a single gear in mind. The teeth are not profiled, and they are significantly taller than those on a Hyperglide® cog.

Are you on a tight budget with your single speed project? Give a Hyperglide® cog a try if you have one with a tooth count that meets your gearing needs. Chainline and chain tension will be more critical in this case, but many people have used this setup successfully. If you do eventually run into skipping or derailing problems, a new BMX cog can be purchased for around $5, and the added insurance is well worth the price.

Some manufacturers such as Chris King offer higher-end cogs. King Cogs offer a wider base, or interface, to the freehub® body. This will prevent the BMX cog from "chewing into" the freehub under serious torque. This probably isn't an issue for most riders, but may be a consideration for very powerful and/or clydesdale-type riders.

BMX cogs are available in sizes ranging from 13T - 20T. For cog sizes greater than 20T, try a Hyperglide® cog or the Spicer Cycles GCA (Granny Cog Adapter).

[MMcG]

Do not buy that Gusset SS conversion kit with the thin cog. The Cog is too thin and you have virtually no chainline adjustability.

Get an Endless Fibanacci spacer kit and an Endless Kickass Cog, or a Surly Cog or an One One or Niner bikes Cog. Something that is wide and won't gouge.

[ire]

I guess it only applys to fatasses like me.

nah, you just have legs like Petacchi....nothing wrong with that! :)

[LordOpie]

so I measured the rear drop-outs... 120mm.

I can't imagine that the 9-speed wheel will fit back there? I assume the freewheel assembly that holds the cassette canNOT be seperated from the hub?

Is the only way that I can use this wheel is rebuild it with a single-speed hub?

[Wumpus]

so I measured the rear drop-outs... 120mm.

I can't imagine that the 9-speed wheel will fit back there? I assume the freewheel assembly that holds the cassette canNOT be seperated from the hub?

Is the only way that I can use this wheel is rebuild it with a single-speed hub?

Your Lager is only 120mm?

Typical road wheels are 130mm.

[LordOpie]

well, the Lager was designed as a single-speed, so I suppose that's reasonable?

So you're saying that there's no way to put the wheels I have lying around to use? No worries, just clarifying.

[Wumpus]

well, the Lager was designed as a single-speed, so I suppose that's reasonable?

That's what you get for buying a bike made by a BMX company.:busted:


The original redline monocogs used 120, too.




So you're saying that there's no way to put the wheels I have lying around to use? No worries, just clarifying.


You can stretch a steel frame a little(126mm -->130mm), but 10mm seems a bit much, but it might work.

[LordOpie]

That's what you get for buying a bike made by a BMX company.:busted:


The original redline monocogs used 120, too.

I thought ALL SS were 120mm? Are you saying bikes like Langster, Pista, Rush Hour, etc are 130-135mm?

[Wumpus]

I thought ALL SS were 120mm? Are you saying bikes like Langster, Pista, Rush Hour, etc are 130-135mm?



Fixies are narrow, but I would think most companies go with a more normal spacing on the singlespeeds. I could be wrong.

[James]

Fixies tend to use track bike wheel spacing, which is 120mm. Surly makes a really nice track hub that's threaded for both fixed and freewheel, in 120mm. You can buy some decently cheap wheels through QBP...

[LordOpie]

You can buy some decently cheap wheels through QBP...

I thought QBP only sold to LBSs? Can end-users buy direct?

[James]

I thought QBP only sold to LBSs? Can end-users buy direct?

Sorry, I meant you could order them through a shop. No end users.

[LordOpie]

cool. Silly question, can I see what QBP sells online and then tell my LBS?

[Wumpus]

cool. Silly question, can I see what QBP sells online and then tell my LBS?


Loco says that this is the Quality catalog --> http://aebike.com/index.cfm

[LordOpie]

Loco says that this is the Quality catalog --> http://aebike.com/index.cfm

intersting.

Is Jenson also QBP?

[James]

intersting.

Is Jenson also QBP?

I think Quality has an electronic catalog that retailers can put online, so it's easier to offer the full line of stuff to people.