Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Should I or shouldn't I? Rock Hopper to SS?

Hey everyone. Never posted on the SS forum before. My main bike use is commuting on my late 80's rock hopper. I LOVE the bike. It is the best bike I've ever had, and I really *really* like it. I really really REALLY hate shifting. Kinda sucks the fun out of biking at times, when I'm always fighting to find the right gear. So, lately, I've been leaving the bike at 48/16 most of the time, except when I am at a stoplight. And sometimes I forget. It doesn't bother me, and I only shift again when I have a steep hill. I am willing to go to something like a 42/16 and be happy to just pump harder up the hills, get out of my saddle if I have to. That's what bar ends are for ;)

Anyway it has this kind of dropout, a vertical:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/images/dropf-stamp.gif

I would rather buy a new wheel for it. I don't want to bother converting a standard 6speed (yes 6speed) wheel, or going "cheap" and just pick a chain length/line and take off the derailers. I want to do it right. New crank, new rear wheel.

So, where do I buy them and how do I pick them? I saw the stuff on Sheldon's site and read up on it but I still am a little confused. How can something so simple be confusing? Anyway, I want to do the conversion myself, armed with nothing more than a crank puller and my standard tools. Does that sound reasonable?

Also, how much should I expect to spend on it? I want a 36 spoke wheel, as I am a big 300lb dude. Unless the non-dished 32's are strong enough....

BTW I know the basic things like I have 135mm mtb spacing, and in general how to work on my bike but the SS thing is new to me :-)

EDIT: I am VERY attracted to things that are *simple* and that is a major motiviation for converting to SS. I tend to over-think things, and the simpler they are the easier they are for me to enjoy :D

Wow, good thing you didn't have horizontal drops or it wouldn't work. :P

Just redish the old wheel, or take it to a shop and have em convert it by putting on a freewheel then redishing it. Simple and way cheaper than a new wheel. Your current wheels holding up with your weight so stick with it.

Also i wouldnt be suprised if you werent running 126 spacing, my mesarunner does. Six speed.

You can look here for wheels and parts to build up your own. They even have prebuilt wheels should your heart desire that
http://www.webcyclery.com/.docs/m/10233/pg/product_search.html.

Converting your 6 speed rear wheel won't be that difficult at all. You should be able to remove the cassette and then thread on a BMX freewheel. Make sure your chainline is as straight as possible. You may have to move your chainring to the inside of the "spider". You also may have to redish your rear wheel a tiny bit to achieve the straight chainline.

You can also go here for more help regarding building an SS.
http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml

Wow, good thing you didn't have horizontal drops or it wouldn't work. :P

Just redish the old wheel, or take it to a shop and have em convert it by putting on a freewheel then redishing it. Simple and way cheaper than a new wheel. Your current wheels holding up with your weight so stick with it.

Also i wouldnt be suprised if you werent running 126 spacing, my mesarunner does. Six speed.

So are you saying I have horizontal dropouts? I got that pic from Sheldon's site, it is listed as vertical. I'll call the LBS and find out how much the new freewheel and redishing will cost. I'll check into the crank prices as well.

So are you saying I have horizontal dropouts? I got that pic from Sheldon's site, it is listed as vertical. I'll call the LBS and find out how much the new freewheel and redishing will cost. I'll check into the crank prices as well.

Those dropouts look horizontal to me.

I don't know why you'd need new cranks. Your current crankset with one ring and shorter chainring bolts should work fine.

Here is a photo of an older rockhopper that I built up as a single speed...

Right on, that looks alot like my bike except I have the rear brake on the chainstay instead of the seatstay. So a new chainring would be in order but I could keep the crankset? Any suggestions as to a gear combo? I was thinking that 42/16 would be about right or even 42/18.

Thanks everyone for the awesome help. I'm also going to stop by the LBS on the way home and check with them, as they have done SS conversions before.

It depends on if you have a freewheel, or a casette. With a casette redishing the wheel and new cranks are not needed. Just remove the casette, choose your cog and add spacers from the casette body ( and some from the lbs most likely). Use the spacers to get a straight chainline, shorten the chain and adjust the tension. If you use your wheel you won't need to redish or move the chainring. I have a s/s mtb and used only parts from the bike, didn't have to buy anything, redish the wheel or change the chainring (did need bmx chainring bolts though to hold the chainring on). Took 1/2 hour to do and was fairly easy. If it's a freewheel you are using, then threading a bmx cog will work the same way. Either way have fun. FWIW, I ride 42-14 fixed and 42-13 s/s on mine.

For most off-road SS riding, a 2:1 ratio works great. If you do a lot more road riding, it WILL be too easy for you. I'd start with the 42/18 and see how that goes. Freewheels are relatively cheap.

L8R

I only off-road every so often, its not a big deal to me. Would I be better with 42/16?

BTW the only way to get out of Reno is UP. Lots of hills.... that is a consideration. This is my *only* bike.

You mentioned in your first post that you regularly ride in a 48/16 and are fine with it. That's a pretty big gear, but if it works than the 42/16 will be easy in comparison.

L8R

i have a white 80's rockhopper singlespeeded, but due to flatness here it has 46x14 bullhorns and slicks. my first workbike, a real tough beast! go for it

Well I just got back from my lunchtime ride. I stayed in 48/18 which is numericly the same as 42/16 (48/18=2.66 and 42/16=2.625) and I did fine. I can say for certain that I noticed even slight uphills more but I feel I got more of a workout for the ride, and that if I can get used to that then I can ride anything anywhere LOL.

Now I'm for SURE going to stop by the LBS and price this out. I can't wait to go SS!

PS: Not shifting ONCE was the most liberating, wonderful thing! I loved it!

Actually IIR most bmx freewheels are available in 17 tooth so why not split the difference? 42:17 is a nice comfortable gearing and i would prefer it over 42:16 when it was windy since ur prolly not too aero with flat bar upright position.

I would suggest building a new wheel with a dual sided hub. That way you could have a high gear (road) and a low gear (off-road). You will need a new chainring, it looks like you have biopace chainrings (they are oval). My friend just built up an older MTB to a SS. He had spacing issues with dual freewheels. You might want to look for thin freewheels. Looks like a great project.

Cheers

Cynikal, thanks for the info. I am going to stick w/ the wheel that is on it now, and just do a single freewheel. Cheaper and simple.

UPDATE:

I tried riding home last night in the same gear the whole way. The single hillclimb (a bridge over about 5 train tracks, about 150' high or so) just about killed me. Looks like it'll be a while before I'm in shape enough for going SS. But by the time I can afford it chances are I'll be in shape LOL. Of course I still hate derailers, I am now turning my attention to geared hubs. Same simplicity as SS as far as chains go.