Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Cheap steel hub okay for fixing?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Cheap steel hub okay for fixing?

CVB
02-14-05, 11:02 AM
I've got a mid-80s schwinn very basic 10 speed I'd like to experiment with fixing. It has cheap pressed steel hubs. Anyone foresee any problems (esp. safety issues) with converting this hub/bike to fixed gear? I'm not looking for this to become a serious bike, just an experiment, but I don't want to kill myself in the name of curiosity.

Thanks

dolface
02-14-05, 11:09 AM
do a search on 'suicide hub', that should give you a bunch of info.
CVB
02-14-05, 11:23 AM
With thanks for the suggestion, I'll go ahead and end this thread by pointing others to the two most informative threads for newbies re "suicide hub":
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=88034&highlight=suicide+hub

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=79831&highlight=suicide+hub

Cynikal
02-14-05, 12:17 PM
You should be fine if you can just thread a track cog on to the hub. Just keep a brake on it. When you realize that riding fixed is better than anything else (and you will), you will go out and buy a proper track hub or wheel set.
pitboss
02-14-05, 12:27 PM
Just keep a brake on it. When you realize that riding fixed is better than anything else (and you will), you will go out and buy a proper track hub or wheel set.
I would recommend two brakes. And then second what Cynikal says about the level of enjoyment and what should be done. Get a true streettrack/fixed wheelset if you like the ride.
CVB
02-14-05, 01:00 PM
Originally Posted by CynikalJust keep a brake on it. When you realize that riding fixed is better than anything else (and you will), you will go out and buy a proper track hub or wheel set.

That's what I had in mind - I can do this for basically free, ride it around the neighborhood a few times, then give it up or take the plunge.