Bicycle Mechanics - single speed: will this work?

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View Full Version : single speed: will this work?


rando
06-26-07, 02:51 PM
I'm about to take off my suntour freewheel off my 80s univega and convert to SS.can I just use spacers to get the chain line right or should I get a BMX freewheel and put it on? which is better? any tips appreciated.

Thanks!


FlatFender
06-26-07, 02:52 PM
well, spacers are for freehubs
a bmx freewheel will go on a hub threaded for a freewheel.
they arent interchangeable

rando
06-26-07, 02:55 PM
sorry, I don't understand what you mean! I guess I know even less than I thought I did!:o


vpiuva
06-26-07, 02:58 PM
BMX threading is not the same as standard freewheel threading, but there are plenty of SS freewheels out there that will fit.
edit: see post #11 about threads

You can use axle spacers to get the correct chainline, but this will also mean that you'll need to redish your wheel. It's pretty easy, I've done it.

rando
06-26-07, 03:12 PM
... so what type of SS freewheel should I get? I think Re-dishing is gonna be too much for me right now. Does Sheldon Brown sell them? I think I want a 17-18 cog one.

thanks for alll the info!~

roadfix
06-26-07, 03:18 PM
The cheapest way around this is to leave your freewheel cassette on the wheel and shorten the chain around the desired cog. Absolutely nothing else need to do to that wheel....

vpiuva
06-26-07, 04:24 PM
Shimano and AGC freewheels run $10-$15 at your LBS. There are more expensive ones out there, but these will do.

rando
06-26-07, 04:52 PM
thanks a lot! headed off to the LBS.

Daijoubu
06-26-07, 10:49 PM
BMX threading is not the same as standard freewheel threading, but there are plenty of SS freewheels out there that will fit.

You can use axle spacers to get the correct chainline, but this will also mean that you'll need to redish your wheel. It's pretty easy, I've done it.
Are you sure? Those cheapy dicta freewheels (bmx) works absolutly fine

tellyho
06-27-07, 05:58 AM
BMX threading should be the same as freewheel threading. You will need to redish and respace your wheel, though.

vpiuva
06-27-07, 07:04 AM
BMX threading should be the same as freewheel threading. You will need to redish and respace your wheel, though.
Maybe I'm wrong on this, or maybe the standards have changed. There are old model 14t BMX freewheels out there, but the smallest I could get with 1.37*24 threading was 16t, unless I wanted to pay more for one that had new "outboard bearing technology" that allowed for a 15t model.

edit: found my answer on Sheldon's site of course. Older metric BMX had 30mm threads, but todays standard is the same as road 1.37" (34.8mm)