Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - should i convert?

i'm a dummy.

and i'm thinking about converting my SS to a fixie.

now, keeping in mind that i have approximately 9 thumbs and usually end up with a few extra parts laying around when i finish working on my bikes, could some of you with experience in this sort of thing give me some advice?

first of all, the frame is an old motobecane; it's got sort of diagonal dropouts, which allow for the SS setup. will this work? do i need some weird sort of BB thingy?

what new parts will i need to get myself into this mess? (i'm pretty broke)

maybe you could lay some extra knowledge on me too... ie., what's a flip-flop hub? is 40:17 a good gearing to start out with or will i need something different? will i have knees left after riding around on this thing? have you seen my baseball?

thanks for your help.

You should definitely fix it. All you need to do is remove the freewheel and replace it with a track cog of the same number of teeth. If the freewheel is aligned properly the fixed cog will align the same. Use locktite on the threads and add an English bottom bracket lockring to hold the cog in place. Leave at least the front brake on the bike. Even the rear brake is useful if you are not comfortable using your legs for braking, especially if you ride a lot of long hills.

Make sure the cog is on tight after every ride until you are confident it is secure.

40X17 is a fairly low gear for me. I use a 40X16 or 42X16 most of the time. Some guys are strong enough to push a 46 or 48X16. Start with whatever you have, or with a 40X16. If you change the total number of teeth by more than 3 or 4, you will probably need to change the length of the chain.

have you seen my baseball?

thanks for your help.

i second everything that eddy m said.

i have not seen your baseball.

i'm a dummy.

and i'm thinking about converting my SS to a fixie.

now, keeping in mind that i have approximately 9 thumbs and usually end up with a few extra parts laying around when i finish working on my bikes, could some of you with experience in this sort of thing give me some advice?

first of all, the frame is an old motobecane; it's got sort of diagonal dropouts, which allow for the SS setup. will this work? do i need some weird sort of BB thingy?

what new parts will i need to get myself into this mess? (i'm pretty broke)

maybe you could lay some extra knowledge on me too... ie., what's a flip-flop hub? is 40:17 a good gearing to start out with or will i need something different? will i have knees left after riding around on this thing? have you seen my baseball?

thanks for your help.

which model motobecane is it? my current project is converting a motobecane super mirage into a SS....sometimes i miss coasting while commuting, and my SS MTB's gearing is 2:1, so thats not good for commuting...

some problems you might run into with the motobecane...some of them use crazy chainring sizes...a 98mm BCD, some of them have silly french/swiss threading on the BB. the threading on the headset may be different as well.

BUT, these oddities make it unique, and are why i want to refurbish the motobecane i acquired (for $5!!)

my biggest problem with the motobecane is the fact that i have ANOTHER bike!!! how many is too many by the way?...my current saddle count in my apt is around 13, give or take some of the ones i let friends use(break)....

i'm a dummy.
Nice way to start.


and i'm thinking about converting my SS to a fixie.

Why?


first of all, the frame is an old motobecane; it's got sort of diagonal dropouts, which allow for the SS setup. will this work? do i need some weird sort of BB thingy? You seem to know better already.


I don't know why you're asking this question. In fact I call Bull**** on you right now. Your above paragraph says you're gonna convert your single speed to a fixie. So chain line is not an issue, neither is the drop out issue, or the
"BB thingy".




maybe you could lay some extra knowledge on me too... ie., what's a flip-flop hub? What hub did you put your SS on?



is 40:17 a good gearing to start out with or will i need something different? You tell me, if you have a SS, what gearing do you have now?



thanks for your help.

I think you're playing this forum, and I call bull****.

alrighty... i'll head down to the shop where those fixed gear weirdos hang out and see about picking up a track cog. another question: what's an english bottom bracket lockring? and what's a flip-flop hub?

no baseball?

Dang maybe, I shouldn't ask questions here.



I don't know why you're asking this question. In fact I call Bull**** on you right now. Your above paragraph says you're gonna convert your single speed to a fixie. So chain line is not an issue, neither is the drop out issue, or the
"BB thingy".


I'm just ASKING because I don't KNOW.


What hub did you put your SS on?


The one my buddy gave me off of his old SS.


You tell me, if you have a SS, what gearing do you have now?

40:17. Like I said.


I think you're playing this forum, and I call bull****.

How is asking questions bull****??

Like I said, dang. Nice way to welcome the new guy. PEACE.

Answers to basic definitions/questions:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_i-l.html#lockring
The lockring holds the adjustable cup on the bottom bracket in place.

I'd check your rear hub and make sure it isn't threaded french before following eddy m's advice. Most rear hubs on french bikes imported to this country were English threaded so it shouldn't be a problem, but the occasional french threaded hub slipped thru. Motos are notorious for being hard to figure out the threading on, esp in the bottom bracket, which might be Swiss, might be French, might be English if the bike is post 1983 or so.

The chainring sizing should not be a problem unless your rings are worn. Just keep 'em. Some older French parts, notably Stronglight, are incredibly long-lived.

Personally, I'd convert the rear hub to a flip-flop, which has track threading on one side and freewheel on the other. The track threading allows you to put a reverse threaded track lockring to keep the track cog from unthreading, thus doing away with the loctite and making switching cogs easier.

Dang maybe, I shouldn't ask questions here..
I'm not moderator, board owner, popular or anything.. so don't base your opinions or desire to post on me.




How is asking questions bull****??.
Because you seem to have an awefull lot of knowledge for someone who doesn't know anything about it. You play yourself down.. but use a lot of very specific termonology.. Seems like BS if you look at it.


Like I said, dang. Nice way to welcome the new guy. PEACE.

You want red carpet? You want me to bow down?

All I'm saying is that a lot of your post seems like BS banter..

But I can be wrong.

Welcome to the forum.
:D

arcellus, another vote for switching to a flip-flop rear hub. The shop will be able to really lock the fixed cog on there, and that's one part you don't want slipping. In fact, after they put it on, ride around for a day or two, then go back and have them crank down on the lockring again, just to be sure.

Read sheldon brown's fixed gear section, it's very informative.

thanks for the help all.
-a