Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Chainline issue

I have a C-dale Capo and I want to change out some of the stock drivetrain, but I want to stay with a freewheel. I wrote to c-dale and they said the capo chainline was built to be 46 mm, which no doubt was meant to accomodate the shimano freewheel it comes with. Either that or the reason they went with the freewheel in the first place (rather than fixed) was to match the chainline of their piece of **** FSA RPM Cast Alloy crankset and bottom feeder bb. Either way, I want a freewheel (a white industry) and initially, I wanted a track crank, cause I like the look. However, track stuff is built around 42mm so I would be stuck with an extra wide spindle or (I was thinking) I could use a road set up which Sheldon Brown says puts the outside ring at about 46mm (and with the outboard bearings it might hide the extra spacing?) Any thoughts about how I could stick with the track crankset?

I have a C-dale Capo and I want to change out some of the stock drivetrain, but I want to stay with a freewheel. I wrote to c-dale and they said the capo chainline was built to be 46 mm, which no doubt was meant to accomodate the shimano freewheel it comes with. Either that or the reason they went with the freewheel in the first place (rather than fixed) was to match the chainline of their piece of **** FSA RPM Cast Alloy crankset and bottom feeder bb. Either way, I want a freewheel (a white industry) and initially, I wanted a track crank, cause I like the look. However, track stuff is built around 42mm so I would be stuck with an extra wide spindle or (I was thinking) I could use a road set up which Sheldon Brown says puts the outside ring at about 46mm (and with the outboard bearings it might hide the extra spacing?) Any thoughts about how I could stick with the track crankset?

I am not deeply familiar with the Capo frame, but it is quite possible that chainstay clearance issues could preclude you from using a 42 mm chainline with a normal sized chainring. Take a careful look at the clearance before considering changing it.

You might find my chainline article helpful: http://sheldonbrown.com/chainline

Sheldon "Chainline" Brown

If I remember correctly, the Capo is (generally) the same frame that Cannondale has been using for track bikes for awhile now. (Major Taylor, etc...). Those have always been able to fit higher-end track cranks without issue. Also, I'm fairly sure that the Capo comes stock with one of the generic sealed-bearing hubs on the market (forumla, dimension, etc...) and those are all built to produce a chainline of ~42mm.

Check to be sure, but I think you'll be alright.

have you measured your chainline yet?

I haven't exactly measured it yet as it is still on layaway and I a am considering pre-final purchase modifications, but I have checked it out extensively. I wrote to Cannondale several times to get specifics from them. The Capo "is" the Major Taylor frame, with grossly inferior components. So the frame was made for the track. The Capo has a formula hub and the standard 120 rear spacing. Cannnondale said it was built around a 46mm chainline, which can only mean that they ship it with a freewheel and the freewheel + the formula hub makes about 46mm. This would match the FSA RPM crankset that they shipped it with as it is really more of a road double with the chainring on the outside. The bb is a shimano UN26. Perhaps they wanted it to be more user friendly out the door or maybe they wanted to use a super cheap road crankset and they couldn't get the chainline to work with fixed sprocket. Either way everthing is at about 46mm. If I were to ride it fixed, I have no doubt, given the frame, that any track crankset and fixed sprocket combo would go together as 42mm without a problem. My issue is that I really want it single speed. So I am stuck with somewhere around a 45 mm rear chainline (with a White Industries freewheel). I'm wondering if that means I should be using road double cranks or if an extra long spindle would allow for track cranks without creating weird issues that I can't forsee.