Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - How you convert to fix.

I checked the Resource thread and didn't see much about it. Now i already have my fix gear converted but as of late i have tons of friends asking me to set them up. Untill recently the only way i knew to get that sweet no coast cog going on the back was to get a fixed hub/wheel. In another thread asking about conversions though someone said that you could do it with your original roadie wheelset, which blew my mind- i knew about that surly product but as far as i've heard its around 70 bucks which is close to a cheap wheelset anyway, which would be better than some vintage bust wheel. So what are the specifics? Can you cheaply convert with an old road wheel to true fix, and safely? Or what are other methods you all use when converting? It'd be nice to have options next time a friend asks for a build other than 'hey man you gotta go drop 70 on a new wheel, plus cog and lock ring'

surly fixxer:

http://www.surlybikes.com/parts/popup_images/parts_prodFixxer.jpg

will convert a shimano cassette hub to fixed.

Google "suicide hub" for how to run fixed on a freewheel hub (not a cassette hub). There are varying degrees of safety with various methods.

mmmm i think you guys are confused at what i mean. heres the quote from another thread that got this whole thing started

For those who say converting is more expensive than an entry level bike.... are you on crack?


Ok shape lugged steel frame ~$0-40 if you know where to look.
Re-use rear wheel with track cog and bb lockring $30.
New tires ~$9 each if you get them on sale.
New brake pads ~$5

am i misunderstanding him? because it seems like he's saying 'use the roadie wheel'


this also added to the confusion

Perhaps? You take off the freewheel, put a cog in it's place then respace and redish the wheel for the right chainline.

can someone clarify whats going on? Neither of these guys mention surly fixxer i'm just excited at the idea of a cheap roadie to track conversion.

Aeroplane, i know of the suicide hubs, i would count that as reasonably 'not safe' considering the stories i've heard about idiots riding those brakeless in traffic, spinning their cog and ****ing into a bus.

am i misunderstanding him? because it seems like he's saying 'use the roadie wheel'


That's exactly what a suicide hub is. Spin off freewheel cassette, install track cog and bb lockring. Now this will not work with freehubs, but only with old threaded hubs.

Alright i totaly get it now, i didnt understand that older road wheels are actually threaded the same as the threading on cogs. Has anyone seen an instructable on this somewhere? i feel like one could be much appreciated. sounds like either way though these things are ****ing dangerous and not really worth the danger..

sounds like either way though these things are ****ing dangerous and not really worth the danger..They make fine conversions and are safe as long as you run at least a front brake.

They make fine conversions and are safe as long as you run at least a front brake.
i'm thinking more of what i have read about skidding basically being out of the question? can you attest to something different? If you get a bb lockring on there and the cog, both loctite'd well you think it would be safe to skid, backpedal, etc?

backpedalling, yes, skipping , yes, skidding, probably no.

but some people rotafix their cogs on their and say they have no problems skidding.


so. YMMV. or yeah. that.

rotafix hmm... i guess ill try it on someone i dont know so well and let them sign a release.. for some reason the idea of basically glue holding the cog though freaks me out. i'd want something that melds the metals chemically, but not a weld.. because most hubs are aluminum and cogs steal, wouldnt work im guessing.

thanks for all the info.

Did you read http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-to-fixed-conversion.html ? Has all you need to know, though IMHO you're always better off with a track hub over a 'suicide' hub.

A lot of old hubs from bike boom ten-speeds are steel. Also, you can get alloy track cogs, but I'm not sure I would.

rotafix hmm... i guess ill try it on someone i dont know so well and let them sign a release.. for some reason the idea of basically glue holding the cog though freaks me out. i'd want something that melds the metals chemically, but not a weld.. because most hubs are aluminum and cogs steal, wouldnt work im guessing.

thanks for all the info.


Rotafixing or any other riding without a lockring is ill advised on the street.

You should just tell your friends to buy fixed rear wheels.

Rotafixing or any other riding without a lockring is ill advised on the street.

You should just tell your friends to buy fixed rear wheels.

it's perfectly fine if you have a brake.

it's perfectly fine if you have a brake.

d00d...it is scientifically proven to be impossible to ride str33t without doing mad skidz and skipz.

how do you guys feel about rotafix + bb lockring? anyone had a bad experience?