Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New to the Forums and New to fixed Gears

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jeffs223
11-28-08, 02:49 PM
Hey guys, been road biking for years. I'm picking up a Scott CR1 so I'm thinking about converting my Trek 1000 to a fixed gear since I always wanted one. From what I've been reading it seems that it is possible. Does anyone know of kits you can pick up for fixed gear conversions. If so, or if i have to piece it together myself, Any advice on parts I should use? Basically this will be a commuter bike, hopefully i wont regret converting it but I guess i can always put it back to the way it was.

urban_assault
11-28-08, 02:55 PM
Fixed Gear for the Road (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixeda.html)
Jabba Degrassi
11-28-08, 02:58 PM
If this is an accurate picture of your bike
http://www.capeablebikes.com/images/rentals/trek_1000_lg.jpg

You might run into a few issues.

The rear wheel needs to be replace, or at least the rear hub if you're prepared to have the rear rim re-built.

First, the dropouts (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_dr-z.html#dropout) are vertical, which would limit you to a magic gear (http://www.63xc.com/toddp/halflink.htm) setup, or a chain tensioner, such as the Surly Singleator (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RD707Y01-Surly+Singleator.aspx) which would be suitable for single-speed applications only. Again, it is ABSOLUTELY NOT SUITABLE FOR FIXED GEAR APPLICATIONS.

Another, albeit expensive, option is an eccentric hub (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/white-hubs.html) which would allow you to adjust the chain tension on a bike with vertical dropouts.

For the cranks/chainring, you probably won't need to do much more than remove unwanted chainrings and use spacers to adjust the chainline. You could even leave them all on if you really want to, it's just rather unsightly.

jeffs223
11-28-08, 03:43 PM
great info. Looks like eccentric hub makes the most sense. It is 160 bucks but better than buying a new frame.
operator
11-28-08, 03:56 PM
great info. Looks like eccentric hub makes the most sense. It is 160 bucks but better than buying a new frame.

Yeah, that's just for the hub only. Factor in rim + wheelbuilding cost if you don't know how to do that yourself.