Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - converting geared MTBike into single speed???

How would I do this? It would be on a lower end frame and has a rigid fork. I don't own the frame yet just curious. I would like ( at least I think I would) to build my own single speed to ride around with my son. We most likely won't do any dirt just yet, he is still a toddler. I know I'd need a chain tensioner and a new crankset and new rear wheel, anything else? What if I just took the shifters off and left the derairuer(sp) in the smallest gear? I normally only ride the dirt but have been thinking about this for awhile now that the boy is getting old enough to do a lap around the block. I saw a low end MTBike at a shop that i absolutely love the color of. What am I looking at getting started? Prices for built mtb singlespeeds are a bit high, although I did see a nice 2006 redline monocog that looked cool. Thanks for taking the time to answer this. Oh, who sells singlespeed conversion parts online? the usual suspects of Jenson, Price Point, etc?

I like to buy my singlespeed bits from Webcyclery. They also have a Singlespeed Conversion Guide (http://www.webcyclery.com/pages.php?pageid=7) that will give you an idea of how to go singlespeed on the cheap.

Thanks, I'll check that out most rikky tick.

have you read sheldon's site? it's loaded with good tips on conversions, chain tensioners, etc. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

have fun with your son!

For MTN conversions, a White Industries hub and 165mm road cranks are your best bet for good chainline/tension. You will proably need to replace the bottom bracket as well.

I got the Misfits Psycles cassette spacer kit for around $10. It comes with a bunch of aluminum spacers to put on your freebody and sandwich a cog of your choice (down to 15) and you have a singlespeed. Well, you'll need a chaintensioner too.

If you are lucky, your dropouts will be somewhat horizontal and it will allow you to eliminate the derailleur all together.

Then, you'll just need a chain tool to remove the extra slack (links) from it..

You can then just slip the chain onto the cog that has the best line and you should be good to go without much hassle and hopefully 100% free.

If you need a basic chain tool, wally_smart has them for $ 4.95

and if you want a new chain they have those for $ 7.99.

=)

Take some pics for us to see what you are up to with that thing !