I know you need a different crank, lose the derailleurs, new rear wheel with prope hub. What about the spacing on the rear? I know road bike are 130 mm. How do you accomodate for this? Anything else I’m missing?
Thanks
Start here: http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
-Dave
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If you decide to use a track spaced hub and crank, you will need a track spaced BB to get the chain line right. If your dropouts don’t have enough horizontal play (most modern bikes don’t), you will also need a chain tensioner, but this will limit you to riding SS.
Of course there are a myriad of ways to convert a standard double into a SS, as outlined on Sheldon Brown’s page
Second Shelldon Brown’s page. I took my old Ironhorse road bike and converted it over to single speed. I bought a forte conversion kit for my rear hub. It included a chain tensioner and three different rear cogs. I primed and painted the old frame with spraypaint from the auto store and then put the bike back together. I also bought a new set of brake levers and a cool leather looking saddle. It came out looking really cool and is fun to ride. I use it to commute get groceries and get to the local watering hole.
Don’t shift. Done.
No, I’m serious.
I’ve done this w my old hardtail mtb - put it in a SS-esque gear (2/1 ratio is pretty common) and then just never shift.
Had one of these put on in conjunction with a flip/flop rear wheel. A few years & umpteen thousand miles later, no problems. And I’m pretty sure the single-speed/commuter bike is my favorite in the stable.
no need for a new crank, just a different chain ring, especially if your current crank is a compact, but you should still be ok with a standard.
a couple of cogs in the gear range you are looking for.
surly hub converter set
chain tensioner
brake only levers to replace the “brifters”
Shoot me a pm if you are interested in some parts, I have a single speed I might be breaking down.
I converted my old road bike. Got a spacer kit for the hub plus and a Shimano chain tensioner and Alfine crank. Still use 9-speed chains on it. Probably didn’t need to buy the crank but I wanted to use the old compact I’d had on there elsewhere.
I converted my roadie into a singlespeed with a White Industries ENO rear hub. It’s now my favorite bike by far, so you have been warned!
Took my old road bike and…
- Took off the derailers.
- Took off the big chainring (had a triple) and smaller if you want- I just left the smaller. Put the chain on the 39.
- made my own cassette using a bunch of old spacers and 3 cogs- the 17 for the chain and two bigger ones (like a 23 or something similar) right next to the 17 on each side so the chain doesn’t fall off.
Presto! cost $0.
I think I saw a hipster with this set up one time and I just decided to try it. It might be my favorite bike to ride now.
Pictures if you are really interested.
I have used the whote indistries hub with a bike with vertical dropouts as both fixed and ss for three winters, its expensive but well built. I run a 39 x 16 for training in rolling terrain
Zip tie your shifters…done and done
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Zip tie your shifters…done and done
Best answer!
OP did say single speed and not fixed gear. Just don’t shift and you get that single speed experience. I’ve got a single speed and a fixed gear. Completely different riding sensations.
- Buy some skinny leg jeans.
- Get a stupid haircut.
- Hang out at coffee shops.
- Blow through stop signs and traffic signals.
- Get your eyebrow, nose, lip pierced.
Ha!