Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New to singlespeed - crank question

i've caught the single speed bug and now i'm in the process of building one up, but i have a question about cranks......is it possible to adapt a road crank? or is it better to use a proper track crank?

any suggestions for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!!

cheers

ps....if anyone wants to throw their two cents in about BB's please do....it'll save me putting up another post!!

thanks all

It is definitely possible to use a road crank. This is kind of a stock answer but Sheldon Brown's website (http://sheldonbrown.com/) is packed with good information. The main concerns with using road cranks will be getting the chainline correct and making sure the chainring bolts are short enough to accomodate a single chainring. Chainline can be adjusted by placing the chainring on the outside or the inside of the crank spider and if you are lucky this will get it close. It is also possible that you will need a different length bottom bracket. There is more about chainline on Sheldon Brown's site and lots of other folks here can help you out too.

Yes u can...

UM

as far as bbs go make sure the taper is the same as the cranks and the threading the same as the frame. find out what length bb you need to get a (whatever your hub is) mm chainline. then buy a bb with all the above

Oatmeal boxes (or any cardboard in my case) make a great spacer. whether or not it's safe or recommended is another thing. But, it has worked for me

really???? Shimano BBs came with spacers... u can getthem for free in your LBS...