Alt Bike Culture - Single speed to multi-speed conversion?

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bsndscrn
06-11-06, 09:32 AM
My wife is shopping for a comfort bicycle. The last time either one of us was on a bike was decades ago. She really thinks the single speed 2006 Raleigh Retroglide with coaster brake is "...just so cute:p " but it only has one speed....she "thinks" she wants a seven speed. In here defense she has test ridden a single speed, three speed and seven speed. I would really like to make her day and bring the Retroglide home retro-fit with a seven speed set up...is this practical / possible?
Thanks all!
Whoops...wrong forum...sorry heading to mechanics....

pdxbikelover
06-12-06, 03:43 PM
internal hub bra. u can get an 8 speed shimano makes them
cradduck
09-01-06, 11:25 PM
I have been looking at doing the same thing with my beach cruiser. If you decide to go with the internal gearing there is an article from Sheldon Brown's website that is really good:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html

I will be looking at this site myself when it comes time to adjust the hub.

One recommendation that is made on the site is that the bike have horizontal drop-outs in order to adjust chain tension.

Bikedued
09-20-06, 08:55 PM
Nexus hub all the way. I have one on my stretch cruiser, and another I'm going to have
put on a 2005 Schwinn Alloy SS. For the life of me I cannot figure out why cassette gears
are still around. About the only advantage they have is lighter weight. A nexus has one hand adjustment
and can be shifted while sitting still. You don't have to shift down gears while approaching a stop.:D

The only drawback will be cost. It's almost cheaper to buy a preassembled wheel. Building
a custom wheel gets pricey sometimes. Cost of the hub + Spokes + labor. Nothing like having what you want though. It's why I build custom bikes.:D