Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Fixie fun for everyone!

Hi guys,

Since going the Kona way a little while back, my Trek frame has just been hanging around in the garage...never one to let things lie around to collect dust, I had the idea to set it up as a single speed bike for the Fiance but was wondering if it's just a simple matter of putting on a single speed hub and away you go.

I've pretty much got everything as spare, stem, headset, bars, brakes, cranks etc...so am looking forward to building her up.

Any advice for the novice :confused:

Cheers

Rich

I haven't done it myself but I seem to recall something about ideally needing the right kind of dropouts - Sheldon's site has a fair bit of info on single speeds.

Richard

Originally posted by Richard D
I haven't done it myself but I seem to recall something about ideally needing the right kind of dropouts - Sheldon's site has a fair bit of info on single speeds.

Richard

Cheers Rich,

Do you have the web address handy?

Rich

You really need horizontal dropouts to tension the chain. You can get chain tensioners, but that defeats the simplicity of a singlespeed.
A single chainring crank can be used with a narrower BB spindle, to give a much narrower "Q-factor" (pedal to pedal width). Use a thick ring with no cutouts or ramps, and match it to a thick chain.

Look for a "flip-flop" hub, fixed on one side, frewheel on the other. Goldtec make a really nice singlespeed hub.

Originally posted by Rich


Cheers Rich,

Do you have the web address handy?

Rich

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/singlespeed.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed.html

Thanks Guys,

I'll let you know how I get on!

Rich ;)

For standard dropouts, Surley makes the "singulator", which is a pretty good (and simple) tensioner. Its also cheaper than a track frame :)

If you have an existing set of wheels that take a cassette, you can either make or buy spacers to get the chainline right. If your wheels take a freewheel, look into 16-tooth BMX freewheels.

Spot makes some very good stuff, or so I hear- I'm trying to do my ss project on a budget! ;)

A VERY good site is http://www.singlespeed.cc
Good info, and a HUGE links page!

Originally posted by stumpjumper

Spot makes some very good stuff, or so I hear- I'm trying to do my ss project on a budget! ;)

A VERY good site is http://www.singlespeed.cc
Good info, and a HUGE links page!

Cheers Stumpy!

Yeah..I might look into getting some spacers for my spear set of wheels...it'd be nice to get a ss hub, but I'm doing this bike on a bugdet too :)

Rich

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