Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Coverting old Trek 330 to a single speed, need help

I have a old Trek 330 and am thinking of converting it to a single. It has a Sansin rear hub with a Sachs freewheel and gear cluster on it. I am wondering if anyone knows if the Forte conversion kit from Performance would work on the hub. The big ring on the crank is a 52, not having a single before would you change it out and what combinations seem to work the best for riding with the little ones and general riding around town to improve your spinning. Any help would be appreciated.

If it is truly a freewheel hub (freewheel spins onto threaded hub), then you will need to remove the old freewheel (you'll need a specific tool), spin on a single-speed freewheel, and redish the wheel. If it is a cassette hub (splined cogs with a lockring), then the conversion kit should work. As for the cranks, how flat is Lincoln? 52 might be a little steep, but you'll have to figure out what works for you where you live. I live in a city that is mostly flat, with several hills and valleys. 46/18 works for me on my fixed cross bike. YMMV.

Oh, search Sheldon Brown's site for "Single Speed Conversion", the man knows everything.

-Rob.

Thanks for the info. I will check out the Sheldon brown site.

Sweet...I have an old Trek 330, too. 1989, I think. Mine still has the stock Biopace chainrings. I elected not to change it over to SS or FG, but instead bought a cheapie (sub-$200) conversion from the LBS. Does yours have the Biopace crap on it?

Does yours have the Biopace crap on it? I enjoy my biopace, thank you :p

-Rob.

I enjoy my biopace, thank you :p

-Rob.

Ah, no disrespect intended!

I would be concerned that the oval shape might affect chain tension, but I don't know.

Part of the reason I bought the conversion was that it was less than $200. I figured I might end up spending nearly that much converting the Trek, since I was going to end up paying somebody else to do most or all of the work. Due to a pending divorce, I'm a little...uh...displaced with no access to my tools or workshop!

Now, after riding the Schwinn for a while, I've discovered how fun it can be to ride road bikes again! I may end up tuning up the Trek and just using it as a geared roadie again.

I think mine is a 1987 and it has all Suntour except for the rear freewheel and rear cluster. I put a racing set of gears on it back in the 90's and then had it replaced in 97 or 98. The crank is a Sakae (it is the original), but it now has a Sachs cluster and chain. It is still a great bike and I just hate seeing it just sit in my basement. I purchased a Bianchi 928 two years ago and now my son is riding so I would like to make the 330 a single and just ride it around town and on the bike paths with him. I would still be riding the Trek if I had not been made an offer I could not refuse on the Bianchi.

I would be concerned that the oval shape might affect chain tension, but I don't know.Nope, well, a little, but not enough to matter. I run biopace on my fixie, and it works great.

... And I feel you with the divorce :( My exwife and I seperated in January and I lost my garage. In September I finally cleaned it out. I had a sit-down with the garage and explained why it wouldn't work anymore. I tell you, breaking up with my garage was one of the hardest parts. But there is hope at the end of the tunnel. I have taken over part of the basement in my apartment building and am now building bikes again :D

-Rob.

Good to know I'm not the only one! Feels like it sometimes...