Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Vertical Dropouts... SS/FG

So I've read things like "no way jose" and other things which are more believable like "you can work around it if you don't have horizontal dropouts".

I'd ideally like to make this bike a FG/SS flipflop but if I can even just go SS I'll be happy.

Have any of you gone around the issue of vertical dropouts for a SS/FG conversion and if so how did ya do it?

I saw one guy using a "half link" which I'm not sure how I'd install or even get my hands on one of those.

Also how viable is just playing around with gear ratios to make it fit?

I'm not crazy about the idea of a chain tensioner, either. Going for simple.

I have a frame with vert drop outs

i just use a chain braker every time. And i dont have a half link the chain tension is actually pretty tight.

Use this magic gear calculator and save yourself the trouble of "playing with ratios":

http://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php

white industries eno eccentric hub...'FTW', as the kids say.

white industries eno eccentric hub...'FTW', as the kids say.

i love mine.

i love you

well thank you.

I recommend the White Industries Eno Eccentric hub.

A chain tensioner may be a cheap and quick solution on a vertical dropout frame bike but it also looks ugly.

Avoid if you can!

i guess i just as well post a picture:

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/fixed/DSC00749.jpg

If you grab a half link and a few different cog/chainring combinations, you'll be able to find one that is close enough for singlespeed use. Riding fixed you have to be a little more picky, but it's definitely doable.

i did it for about 6 months using a half link, the chain stretched over time and i took out the half link, after a while the bike had other problems and i wound up tossing the frame but i kept an eye on it and i never dropped a chain while riding that set up

chain stretched over time and i took out the half link
what

chains stretch, well not really, really the pins between them wear out and add a little length but it's refered to as chain stretch, all chains do it

I'm more confused by the notion that your chain stretched so much that removing a half-link was a viable option, and you still considered the chain rideable.

it was a little loose when i had the half link installed and it was fairly tight(though not pulling) once it stretched

Without a proper tension method it can be tough. A 1/2in is a long ways.

You can make a magic gear work but an eccentric hub is better. It has enough adjustment in it that I can run a 16t fixed and 18t freewheel. Personally, I am glad I went this route. The wheel is now in its second frame (cyclocross) and if i ever go to a frame with horizontal dropouts i just need new axle caps. They make them in standard and eccentric in every width you could want.

i love you

I thought you loved me!

P.S, good luck with setting up a magic ratio dude.

We seem to have missed this magic gear calculator from post # 3 so I'm posting it again:

http://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php (http://go.bikeforums.net/?id=42X129555&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eehouse.org%2Ffixin%2Fformfmu.php&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bikeforums.net%2Fshowthread.php%3F697187-Vertical-Dropouts...-SS-FG%26p%3D11836555%23post11836555)

The best thing about the ENO hub is that once I built my wheel around it that thing was more expensive than my bike. So if there is ever a fire, and I cannot carry everything, the wheel comes, the bike burns.

I have a frame with vert drop outs

i just use a chain braker every time. And i dont have a half link the chain tension is actually pretty tight.

This is what my roommate did with his geared bike. He is running 42/16 if i recall, and it works great. Well, chain is a little tight imo, but it works.

.Chris

how complicated can a chain tensioner possibly be? Probably easier to install than a half-link.

I have a beater with vertical dropouts. I did the half link thing.. Works fine and didn't have to find a magic ratio or anything. Chain is a tiny bit tight, but everything works just fine.

how complicated can a chain tensioner possibly be? Probably easier to install than a half-link.

its complicated when you want to run a ss/fg flip flop setup like the original poster.

(ie, it wont work)

its complicated when you want to run a ss/fg flip flop setup like the original poster.

(ie, it wont work)

But he also mentioned he'd settle with SS if he had to....hence the tensioner solution.

But he also mentioned he'd settle with SS if he had to....hence the tensioner solution.

no reason to settle if you have a nice frame.

Has OP tried filing out a little bit of wiggle room in his dropouts? Sometimes that might be just enough to run two different cog sizes, you never know.

There's also the EBB option, it appears to be getting pretty good reviews over on MTBR:

http://www.forwardcycle.com/

There's also the EBB option, it appears to be getting pretty good reviews over on MTBR:

http://www.forwardcycle.com/

$160, it is only compatible with some cranks, and it doesnt have a full link of adjustment. it may be fine for some aplications, but worthless for others. the only benefit it has over an eccentric hub it the ability to use different wheels.

the white hub lets you use any cranks, any bb, has adjustment for running different sized cogs, and can be converted for use in any road, cross, mtb, or track frame.

Yeah I will try this "magic ratio calc" and some possible filing for some wiggle room. Yeah the tensioners are just ugly imo (no offense) and I would definitely prefer to keep the flipflop option open. The eccentric hub looks dope as hell, but I've already sunk a bit more $$ than I anticipated into this ride. Thanks for all the feedback!

Yeah I will try this "magic ratio calc" and some possible filing for some wiggle room. Yeah the tensioners are just ugly imo (no offense) and I would definitely prefer to keep the flipflop option open. The eccentric hub looks dope as hell, but I've already sunk a bit more $$ than I anticipated into this ride. Thanks for all the feedback!

that statement requires pictures

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9728/konaa.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/i/konaa.jpg/)


Jake the Snake.

I used to have this bike-- took it on my first multi-state tour, and it got stolen right when I got back. They cut the damn rungs off my porch.

Anyways it's going to need some components, and they aren't cheap! (some stuff I have laying around, but not a lot.)

to clarify: I just bought this frame, it's not the original.

i wouldnt file those dropouts... the bike is too nice and the metal is too thin.

what parts are you needing?

i know it hurts, but look into the hub. mine is on a bianchi RC cyclocross frame. i have 16t fixed on one side and a 18t eno on the other and there is plenty of adjustment for chain tension and brake adjustment to match.

the bike now has cross tires and cable but is still waiting on a headset lockring (backordered) and bar tape.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/sscx/2010-11-20154748.jpg

That's hot. I agree, filing would be a crime against JTS. If I can't get the tension right then I will certainly consider the hub.

I have a wheelset and some other assorted junk I can scrap together. I'd need BB headset/fork, cranks, brakes. Think that's it.

Ever have a project go from "on-the-cheap-beater" to "saucy" before? I expected to spend like $50 on this project lol. Started on a world sport frame and ditched it when I happened on this one.

That's hot. I agree, filing would be a crime against JTS. If I can't get the tension right then I will certainly consider the hub.

I have a wheelset and some other assorted junk I can scrap together. I'd need BB headset/fork, cranks, brakes. Think that's it.

Ever have a project go from "on-the-cheap-beater" to "saucy" before? I expected to spend like $50 on this project lol. Started on a world sport frame and ditched it when I happened on this one.

see bianchi above. i bought the frameset used, beat, and dirty with the intent of using what i had. after several hours of cleaning and polishing the frame looked great and i "upgraded" a few of the components i planned on using.

its currently wearing:
curt goodrich fork- purchased with frame
chris king headset- parts bin (sans lockring
campagnolo centaur bb- new purchase upgrade
campagnolo centaur- cranks- stripped of fixed gear (sold frameset)
eggbeater sl pedals- sripped off mtb (selling bike)
ritchey wcs seatpost- parts bin
selle italia slr saddle- stripped off fixed gear
deda murex stem- ebay upgrade
deda 215 bars- ebay upgrade
tektro brake levers- ebay
tektro r720 brakes- ebay
ebay carbon cages- stripped off fixed gear
velo orange brake hanger- new purchase
sram pc870 chain- stipped of fixed gear
16t whit ind cog- off fixed gear
18t white ind eno freewheel- new purchase upgrade
wheelset- stripped off fixed gear
campagnolo record front hub
white ind eno rear hub
dt swiss competition db spokes
dt swiss 585 rims (decals removed)

If you have wheels already and to buy cranks and BB anyway, the EBB option I mentioned earlier might end up costing you less, depending on what the eno hub does for. It would save you rebuilding the rear wheel and buying the eno, and cost you the difference between a regular BB and the EBB.

yeah this may be one application where the ebb makes sense.

EDIT: I actually read the site on EBB's. That looks legit.

It just shows the cups on the ends... is that all it needs? Or do I install those on top of another BB...?

<--confused now.