Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Did i buy the right kind of flip flop wheel? and other n00bish questions

I bought this wheel for $30 off someone who knew even less about fixies than i do.. did I buy the right thing lol? I assumed it was fine but then on Sheldon's site he mentioned that there is a 2nd kind which is apparently the "wrong" kind?


BMX type...BMX flip-flop hubs have two different freewheel threads, a standard one on one side, and a special smaller-diameter freewheel thread on the other, designed to work with special small freewheels (14, 15 teeth.) These are now quite rare, but if you are calling around looking for "flip-flop" hubs, make sure you get the right kind.mine does have smaller threads on it...

side a with big and small threads
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/5411/flip1.jpg

side b, just big threads
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7223/flip2m.jpg

so, assuming it's the right kind of wheel, to make just a fixed gear I just need a cog and a lockring right? and to add a freewheel i need to buy a freewheel and another cog? or does the cog come combine with the freewheel?

also, how do you determine what gear to put on? I'm assuming you use the gear calculator tool? (http://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php)

I was using that but I wasn't 100% what my chainstay length is and how adjustable my drop outs are. When the wheel is all they way in the drop outs, the measurement from crankbolt to wheel axle bolt is 43.5 cm, so i guess i can adjust it in like maybe .25cm and still be safe?


http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2060/p1010501t.jpg

I'm just gonna use my existing 42t or 52t chainrings for now.. not sure how good of options that leaves me. the bike i'm converting isn't made for speed so i'd rather just have it geared for "cruising" .. i had it in a good gear the other day and didn't need to shift.. ill have to see what it was.

ok i read the wikipedia page about flip flop hubs and at least i know i bought the right kind of wheel lol.. i guess i'm mostly concerned with making sure i get the right sized rear cogs now

You have a flip flop hub, the side with the stepped/reversed threading is the side for the fixed cog (although you could put a fixed cog on the freewheel side, it would just be unsafe without a lockring)

Google gear inch table, i find them easier than calculators and ratio generators.

How do you have almost 500 posts but don't know the very basics? I'll just assume you're new to fgss, welcome
look at the stickied newb thread

i looked at the gear inch thread.. i'm more concerned with figuring out which gears are even an option for me, as opposed to finding out the perfect gear. it looks like i don't have a lot of room to adjust in my drop outs.. i'm assuming that will limit my options

and yes i'm new to SSFG but not new to bikes

anybody want to comment on how much adjustment those dropouts will allow? seems like i wouldn't want to move the axle very far forward? anyone have experience with conversions and placing the axle very close to the end of the drop out?

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2060/p1010501t.jpg


What's going on here? It seems they forgot to machine out the dropout completely...

http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/chain_length/horizdropout.jpg

Yes the lack of space would interfere with tensioning the chain in FG/SS mode.

What's going on here? It seems they forgot to machine out the dropout completely...

it totally looks like it weird...but yea i mean it looks doable just hard...half link could help but cant know yet

Forgot to mention but OP can use a round file to fileout the dropout.

lol so they're horizontal dropouts with all of the problems of vertical drop outs :lol: might not try to convert this bike then.. someone just emailed me interested in buying it so probably shouldn't mess with it too much anyways. at least i've got the proper rear wheel now so i can try SSFG on some other bike

What's going on here? It seems they forgot to machine out the dropout completely...


I've seen a lot of older frames that are like that on the non-drive side. I would file/Dremel it out. Problem solved.

it's like that on the drive side too

My frame was the same way, I bought a 5 dollar round file from lowes and filed most of it out in about an hour.

My frame was the same way, I bought a 5 dollar round file from lowes and filed most of it out in about an hour.

Dremel tool with small grinding wheel is faster.

also even though the dremel is much more expensive, you can then go on to use it for just about anything. Worth it.

Totally worth it! Just don't get the rechargeable one, as the battery only lasts about 15-20 minutes of solid use before needing to be put on the charger.

Totally worth it! Just don't get the rechargeable one, as the battery only lasts about 15-20 minutes of solid use before needing to be put on the charger.

There's a rechargeable Dremel tool? I didn't know that. Anyways, mine is corded, and it's the most versatile toolset I have.

OP: you aren't that limited, don't choose your gear based on your chain, base your chain on your gear

http://www.toolpeak.com/products_img/Pneumatic-Angle-Die-Grinder-AT-27025.jpg

;)

Just a guess based on the dropouts, but for no reason to be taken as gospel, that looks like a lower end frame. There is nothing wrong with a lower end frame for a conversion, especially since your just playing around with it. But I wouldnt spend to much time or energy on getting it right for converting, since there are lots of other frames out there for cheap that will be ready to go.

Just a guess based on the dropouts, but for no reason to be taken as gospel, that looks like a lower end frame. There is nothing wrong with a lower end frame for a conversion, especially since your just playing around with it. But I wouldnt spend to much time or energy on getting it right for converting, since there are lots of other frames out there for cheap that will be ready to go.

yeah it's a World Sport which isn't a total piece but certainly isn't top of the line. the drop outs are forged at least. i was actually thinking of doing a conversion on it since it's kinda heavy and won't ever be fast, so i was gonna gear it for cruising around downtown san jose. not gonna tweak on the frame though i'll just leave it as a geared bike especially since i'm trying to sell it

i picked up a more suitable frame today (1989 Dave Scott Ironman), though i plan (eventually) to build up the Ironman into a roadie

The centurion iron man bikes are very common for some reason.... anyway, the ironman bike would be a better candidate for conversion than as a roadie IMO.

it's better as a fixed gear than as a mutli-geared bike?

i've ridden freewheel and geared bikes all my life, but fixies are so popular here in SJ that i want to at least try it out. i have a gruppo all ready to go so i will be building up a geared road bike, but wouldn't mind having a fixie too