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Electra 3 speed to 1 speed?

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Electra 3 speed to 1 speed?

Old 09-09-18, 10:24 AM
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Electra 3 speed to 1 speed?

Can this be done? Possibly picking up a 3 spd this afternoon for a few dollars. It is a 3 spd, but would like to convert it to a single speed with coaster. Is that possible? If so, how hard to do?
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Old 09-09-18, 11:40 AM
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Very simple to do. Get a wheel assemly for the same size tires as you bike currently uses. Can be new or used but must be in good condition and straight. Unhook the shifting cables. Unbolt the 3 speed wheel assembly. Change the tire and tube and rim strip over to the coaster brake wheel. Put new wheel into the bike. You can then remove the 3 speed shifting stuff but keep it in case you want to go back to 3 speeds. All you are doing is the same thing you would do mechanically to put a new tuble into the bike. Roger
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Old 09-10-18, 09:15 AM
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probaly if you run in any bike circles (or more or less just other friends that ride), you can probaly find someone who will trade their single speed wheel for your 3 speed set up. i think i'd keep it though, but i like gears, or find a coaster brake version of your three speed wheel.
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Old 09-10-18, 02:02 PM
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Say what?

Hey guess I need to know some facts first. Is the 3 speed wheel damaged in some way and inoperable? That is probably the only reason l can think of that I would make that modification or lack of funds. The 3 speed is already a coaster brake *in some cases mini disc or none* as 99% are why do you wish to remove the coolest option in town the Shimano Nexus 3 speed rear hub? It turns a cruiser into something that could climb minor hills with greater ease than a single could. Great for people who like to ride but "Just don't get how the gears work" (My GF) Instant gear satisfaction no matter the speed or lack of it. The greatest invention since sliced bread IMHO. Okay really why? The Nexus hub is about 1 centimeter wider than a standard coaster brake hub so you will need to crush the frame a little to make it work and then it's a coin toss to see if you've bent it evenly on both sides without making a gauge to measure the amount of bend or you can just crush it and ride it like you stole it. Then you have those unsightly cable guides all down the bottom of the bottom tube and chain stay. I use to tell guys back in the day if you want to build a hot rod start out with a V8 car don't try to convert a 4 or 6 cylinder it's too many headaches. Did you know that among new bikes the Nexus 3 equipped bikes are the most expensive? More than a coaster obviously but more that a 7 speed as well. I think that speaks volumes to the value of the 3 speed. An Electra 3 speed in good shape with decent paint goes for between $175 and $200 on CL here. You could sell it and buy a new single speed. Now if you were talking about an old Sturmey Archer 3 speed go for the conversion those things are good but hell to work on.
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Old 09-13-18, 11:28 AM
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Wink

Just replace rear wheel. can you fix a flat tire? you have most of the job ..

there are good coaster brake hubs and there are cheap ones..

chat up your friendly local bike shop, it is a service business after all..





..

Last edited by fietsbob; 09-13-18 at 11:32 AM.
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Old 09-13-18, 04:42 PM
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I have a 3 speed coaster brake wheel,...spare,...too bad it isn't the other way around.
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Old 09-14-18, 07:31 PM
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The very easiest way to do it is trade bikes with someone you won’t have to fix a flat or turn one but on the bike lol put your bike for sale on offer up letgo and cl then look for single speeds you like and ask them to trade when they ask for what? Send them the link to your bike so they can see it
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Old 09-14-18, 07:34 PM
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Old 09-14-18, 07:37 PM
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The schwinn in the back is my gf bike was seven speed with front and rear brakes. She wanted coaster brake and complained that she didn’t get into all of her gears. To make life simple for her I made it hard on myself lol it was a very fun brain exercise then I picked up some 70mm on offer of for $40
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Old 10-22-18, 03:02 PM
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Heinz 57 now 58

Originally Posted by AtNjineer
The schwinn in the back is my gf bike was seven speed with front and rear brakes. She wanted coaster brake and complained that she didn’t get into all of her gears. To make life simple for her I made it hard on myself lol it was a very fun brain exercise then I picked up some 70mm on offer of for $40
I appreciate that you work with what you have but those bikes are total Frankenstein's. I believe those are fixie wheels (700c) on a Electra cruiser (26x2.125) and I think I remember you saying the tires are solid. To each his own I always say but this is not fine work. No I'm not a weight weenie (those whom need to shave ounces at every turn) and not a name brand snob (those whom can't have any part on their bike that's not premium) but I kinda draw the line when I see unholy mixes of parts when you are not on a desert island with no access to proper fitting parts. I don't mean to be critical of your handywork but jeez what were you thinking? Just cause it fits doesn't mean you should do it. The Schwinn has the wheels that should be on your Electra. Did you notice that you can never get proper chain tension with coaster brake wheels on a 7 speed frame? Sliding dropout versus fixed or notched dropouts? No one can tell you what you like. I suppose I am just trying to tell the Emperor he has no clothes on. Keep on wrenching bike building is fun but don't let be dangerous as well.
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Old 11-06-18, 12:05 AM
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To above

Lol the schwinn has perfect chain tension. I tried on rears cogs 19 - 23tooth lol the 19 tooth and 21 tooth cogs I think gave me good tension. I ended up using the 19t. I learned a secret though. If I would have used a half link chain I wouldn’t have had to sift threw my cogs to finds the right one. With a half link chain they all would fit with good chain tension says my lbs. I’m glad you don’t like my bike and thinks it’s too much lol I’ve built so many bikes. that Black bc will be my last though.
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