Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Singlespeed Conversion Ideas : I need to know the simplest way ...

Hi, currently riding and old italian steel frame (columbus aelle) with 10 Spd Ultegra gruppo...love it....I just picked up a new frame and plan to transfer the 10spd gruppo over leaving me with the Saronni frame (see pic)....

I must say I'm pretty much mystified about this whole singlespeed/fixed-gear idea and think it would be great to convert the Saronni into one (it has horizontal campy dropouts..).

What would be the cheapest and easiest way to convert if I have the following items to 'recycle' :-

- Shimano Sante Crankset 53/39
- Shimano R540 Wheelset with freehub

From what I've read, i do not need a chain tensioner..just the following?

- new chain (of course!)
- singlespeed conversion kit (for Shimano Freehub)
- brakes?? how do you guys acquire stopping skills without brakes???

Or are there other things i need to worry about?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rev2NcNttRs/SKk4AKkRSDI/AAAAAAAACp4/VISluiQGsRo/s1600-h/20072008323.jpg

That's pretty well it for super basic conversion, assuming the conversion kit comes with a cog or you have something in your parts bin. If you're going singlespeed you need brakes, only fixed gear can be slowed by resisting the pedals.

thanks! regarding gear-ratios....my Sante Crank is currently 2 x chainring; 39/53

I did my own calculation (based on my ave cadence of 90-95rpm), I want to be able to achieve say 26km/h at my ave cadence. For this I can either use 39t-17t or 53t-25t.

Logic dictates they are the same but I guess the only choice one would make is to choose the smaller option? for pure weight purposes? (less teeth, smaller cog)

Yes go for the 39/17. That's just 61 gear inches which is pretty low and i'm sure you will want to go higher after you try it.

Hows about --

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5176/productimagemediaimagesgg4.jpg

FOR SINGLESPEED CONVERSION -- SHIMANO ALFINE (http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/0/alfine/product.-code-CT-S500.-type-.html)







(http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/0/alfine/product.-code-CT-S500.-type-.html)

why the hell would he need that? get the stuff on your list, its all you need.

Read what Sheldon Brown[R.I.P.] had to say http://208.77.210.187/singlespeed.html

You can get into fixed gear if you want. Surly makes some good conversion parts for shimano drivetrains.

Either way, converting your bike using what you have on hand is the way to go in my view. Keep us posted

I did my own calculation (based on my ave cadence of 90-95rpm), I want to be able to achieve say 26km/h at my ave cadence. For this I can either use 39t-17t or 53t-25t.

Unless you are planning on doing some serious climbing on this bike, I'd up the ratio a little. A typical all-around gearing is 42x16, which is close to 39x15. I'd at least go to 39x16, but expect that even with that you'll soon want to get a bigger gear.

Hows about --

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5176/productimagemediaimagesgg4.jpg

FOR SINGLESPEED CONVERSION -- SHIMANO ALFINE (http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/0/alfine/product.-code-CT-S500.-type-.html)







(http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/0/alfine/product.-code-CT-S500.-type-.html)

That's got to be one of the slickest looking tensioners I've seen in a while. Definitely out of place on an old road frame though.

sorry for the hijack, I recently purchased an old road bike, the previous owner had converted it to singlespeed, however he left on the original chainrings as well as the excess cogs on the rear. He did manage to get a straight chainline and the chain tension is spot on.

i'm thinking of removing the excess bits, cogs, extra chainring, not really keen on getting a new wheelset. what tools will i need?

sorry for the hijack, I recently purchased an old road bike, the previous owner had converted it to singlespeed, however he left on the original chainrings as well as the excess cogs on the rear. He did manage to get a straight chainline and the chain tension is spot on.

i'm thinking of removing the excess bits, cogs, extra chainring, not really keen on getting a new wheelset. what tools will i need?

I'm the OP but I think I can assist here....

depends on how old id the bike....whether the rear is freewheel or freehub. For the freehub you need a chain whip, spanar and cassette lock ring removal but. For the chain rings, allen keys!

freewheel - no idea!

technically the simplest way is to get a chain breaker.

find what gear makes a straight chainline (or close to it)
take a few links out and put it down to size, then just take off the derailleur.

hey, it may not look pretty, but it works.

(btw, your bike looks great the way it is!)