Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New Build

I have an older mountain bike with 130 mm spacing in the rear (although I am not opposed to stretching it to 135). I would like to set it up as a fixed gear commuter. Does anyone know of a ready made 26" wheel that will take a fixed cog. I wanted to avoid the costs of building a wheel from parts. I have thought about putting the Van Dessel 700cm wheel on the back, and running a 26" in the front. Any ideas about that?

Thanks

I have an older mountain bike with 130 mm spacing in the rear (although I am not opposed to stretching it to 135). I would like to set it up as a fixed gear commuter. Does anyone know of a ready made 26" wheel that will take a fixed cog. I wanted to avoid the costs of building a wheel from parts. I have thought about putting the Van Dessel 700cm wheel on the back, and running a 26" in the front. Any ideas about that?

Thanks

why dont you run a SS instead of fixed? that way you can find an old MTB wheel, take off the multispeed freewheel, and thread on a single freewheel. then re-space and re-dish the wheel and youre all set, for a much lower price than getting a wheel built or buying a new one. you can probably use your existing wheel.

what kind of frame is it? my SS MTB is an old specialized hard rock spaced at 130mm. its badass.

if you still want a fixed gear i have 2 suitable beater frames i can sell you

I am curious about fixed gear riding, and I have a 10 mile commute that would be perfect for trying it out. Of course I am also curious about single speed riding. I thought if I set the bike up with a flip flop hub, I could try out both without dropping serious cash.

The frame is 1992 vintage Scott 4130 Cro-moly. It is not quite as svelte as the old Specialized frames, but it should make a good beater bike. I will post a photo, when I have the project finished.

Thank you for the info on the wheel conversion. I may try that. I will keep the fixed gear frames in mind if this build doesn't work out.

I thought if I set the bike up with a flip flop hub, I could try out both without dropping serious cash.



You will need a mtb with horzontal drop outs to do this or buy a hub that can tension the chain. MTB bikes with horizontal drops are few. So i am guessing you will need to buy a special hub which ups the price considerably.

I would agree with legal. Have a ss mtb and a separate fixed gear bike.

With the exception of using the singulator, won't you have the same chain tension issues with a ss built form a verticle dropout mtb frame that you would have with a fixie?

With the exception of using the singulator, won't you have the same chain tension issues with a ss built form a verticle dropout mtb frame that you would have with a fixie?

Yes.

Without a singulator you have the same issue, tensioning the chain. Unless you have horizontal drop outs or a hub with off axis axles, how do you tension the chain???

With a single speed you can use a singulator but you can not use a singulator on a fixed gear. This is why most fixed gear bikes are older road frames with horz. drop outs.

You will need a mtb with horzontal drop outs to do this or buy a hub that can tension the chain. MTB bikes with horizontal drops are few. So i am guessing you will need to buy a special hub which ups the price considerably.

I would agree with legal. Have a ss mtb and a separate fixed gear bike.


Thanks for the info/opinions.

Luckily my frame has horizontal drops.

Any advice on a prebuilt wheel? Do you know if they sell a prebuilt 26" wheels with a fix/free hub? I have only seen the 700cm wheels with this set up. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have two bikes, and if end up enjoying the experience, I will end up with two. I just wanted to try it out first.

Thanks again

There are alot of hubs with fixed/free but pre built wheels???

Sheldon has some prebuilt wheels but they are $$$. I am thinking you will have to get one built for you.

you are lucky to have horiz drop outs. I want this setup on my mtb but I my have to get a frame builder to add horiz. drops.

Sheldon has a set for $230 with the Van Dessel hubs in 135 that are fixible on both sides. Only problem is that they are only available as a set. I so wish I could only buy a rear from this set.

take off the multispeed freewheel

How do you do this?

I am thinking you will have to get one built for you.


Thanks, that was what I was thinking too. Any recommendations on hubs. Freom what I have read on this forum, the Surly hub has a pretty good reputation. How about the Van Dessel hub? Any other recommendations?

How do you do this?

to take off a multispeed freewheel you need the freewheel remover. theres a bunch of different types, but its most likely a shimano style if its on a MTB. if its a road bike cassette it might be a 2 or 4 notch suntour freewheel remover. just stick it in and get a wrench thats 12" long or more. youll need a lot of leverage bc they tighten themselves up A LOT!!! same principle as a BMX freewheel remover, just a different shape for multi-speed freewheels. i can take a picture of the different styles and post it if you want.

I would agree with legal. Have a ss mtb and a separate fixed gear bike.


Thanks to you both for the time and advice. I looked into a couple of options at my local bike shop, and decided to go with a straight single speed for now. I am going to go the easy route of putting spacers and a cog on the freehub. I will post a picture of the bike when I have it completed. Any advice on gearing for winter trails? I live in New Hampshire and plan on riding the trails behind my work at lunch.

Thanks again