Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Help with Raleigh Sportif SS Project

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j.smith
06-21-10, 09:11 PM
Looking to convert my 10speed 80s Raleigh Sportif into a SS. Wanting to go with 39/16 gearing.

I've been researching for a couple days and it looks as if I can simply slide a 16t bmx freewheel on the existing hub and be alright. I'm also going to be swapping out the crankset and getting a new chain.

these are the crank/flywheels I'm going with:
http://www.bikewagon.com/Drivetrain/Cranksets/Road-Cranksets/TruVativ-Elita-22-GXP-p8553326-1-2.html#
http://www.danscomp.com/461003.php?cat=PARTS

Is there anything else I may need or be overlooking to help this conversion go as smoothly as possible? From what I've seen with others' conversions there shouldn't be a problem with the dropouts but I'd like to get a second opinion from some who have done this conversion to their Raleigh or a similar 10speed.

Heres a shot of the drivetrain:
156418

Dannihilator
06-21-10, 09:20 PM
Looks like it could be a good project. The bmx freewheel will thread right on. A couple of concerns though, make sure the threads on that are English and not the Nottingham one, two You may want to go to front chainring in the 40's instead of the 39. It's quite easy to spin out at 39/16 with the 27/700c wheelsize.
j.smith
06-22-10, 01:27 PM
I may do 42/17 or 46/18 then. Rode down to my LBS today and one of the guys told me all I really needed was the 3/32" fly and I'd be good to go. Theres plenty of room in the dropouts to keep the chain I've got now.

Rode the whole day on 42/17 with moderate hills and it felt fine. had to stand on a few hills but nothing unmanageable.