n0mel

TL;DR: I would like to convert my 2012 Felt F65X cyclocross into single speed. Would this most likely work and what do I need to take into account?

I was surprised to find so little information on converting cyclocross to single speed on this forum. Is converting a CC to SS rare? Am I missing something, or have I just missed the information?

You could say that I was bitten by the SS-bug, and this got serious once I got my Kona Unit. I love the simplicity of SS. I just want to ride my bike and enjoy it. I have nothing against gears, but in my use an SS would great. The frame seems quite light and sturdy, so I figured it would work for this.

Here's what I, as a newbie, have been thinking. As I want an SS road bike/CC, I thought I would utilize the components I already have. I would keep the original components, except for the shifters. My plan is to use a single speed conversion kit, including a chain tensioner. I would prefer to not use the derailleur as a tensioner, as it seems like it would gather much more dirt than a simple tensioner. I would use the existing larger chainring for starters (46T), if it performs well. Otherwise I need a non-ramped chainring. I don't know if I want to remove the smaller chainring, if that means taking apart something I don't know how to put back together. I have a new SRAM PC 1051 chain (including Powerlock), but I don't know if it is compatible with the setup I'm planning. I might switch to a flat handlebar. I want to spend as little money (€) as possible on this conversion.

However, there are questions I would like answers to before I buy components. Keeping in mind that I am new at this. I have not converted to SS before. Help from people more experienced than me would be greatly appreciated.

1. Will the frame work for this purpose?
2. Should I go ahead and get a non-ramped chainring straight away or first try with the existing chainring?
3. Should I remove the smaller chainring? (would at the very least be more elegant)
4. Is a chain tensioner strongly recommended? (my impression is that yes, it is, for vertical dropouts)
5. Should I consider using half-links and different chainrings/cogs to find a magic gear, or is a tensioner the best way to go for a first-timer? (the special hubs made for this purpose are too expensive)

And there's always another option: I sell this bike and get something else. The problem with this option is that I don't think I can get much for my bike, at least not enough to build something similar (light frame and disc brakes). I might be completely wrong.

I realize that new forum member like me listing questions like this might seem like I'm looking for an easy way out. Welp, I have scoured this forum for answers. I have found lots of useful information, but much of it is from many years ago and regarding different sorts of frames and different parts. I feel like I would be making a dangerous mistake by not asking here first.


More information on my bike here: F65X - Felt Bicycles
Conversion kit I was considering: DMR Simple Tension Seeker & Single Speed Kit | Chain Reaction Cycles

orangeology

(embrace yourself for some snarky comments and sharp tongues. conversion in general can often be 'not welcomed' here in this very forum, however)
let me try to answer from my experiences, as a conversion junky myself. numbers are corresponding to your Qs

1. it will, it will not.
you "can" work it out. anything is possible. whether recommended or not, different POV. technically it will adopt conversion despite it was built for multi-gear CX.
2. there's no reason you can't use existing chainring first. it 'can' be headache if you are anal about the chainline etc.
3. that's completely depending on your aesthetic POV.
4. it is not. there are more than one method to cover vertical DO in this subject. eccentric hub, eccentric BB, half link chain etc. every method has pros and cons. by far i have not seen any single chain tensioner looking good + working robust. if it's minimally looking good, it's gonna be weak. if it's functionally robust, it will look ugly. some good ones can be very high in terms of market price. some folks modify a vintage rear derailleur to be a tensioner—which totally makes sense.
5. my LBS' reco was a half link chain. the least headache. again, every method has pros and cons.

one thing i can say tho
the conversion kit in your link below looks pretty sh***ty low quality. plastic stuff on the tensioner: no. stamped cog: no no no

youngbull

He's right. there are some very a lot of angry, sad, mean people on this forum so just ignore them.

hairnet

The easiest method is to use the tensioner. DMR is a good one but it doesn't have a spring.

Your 46 ring is fine. You don't need a non-ramped one as long as you get the chainline straight, which is easy with hub spacers. I would recommend a different cog though, one with a wider base. Look into what SS mountain bikers use.

T13

n0mel

Thanks for the replies so far. I am aware of the purists in the SS community, and I think I understand them (a friend of mine is quite serious about these things). The project I am planning is a compromise. It is for learning, for saving money and for (hopefully) turning this into a somewhat speedy SS bike. Everyone has to start somewhere, and a simple conversion like this feels like a good first step.

So, so far I should at least be aiming for a better cog. I have looked at Miche cogs (aforementioned friend recommended these for my budget). The DMR tensioner had decent reviews at the price point I'm looking at. But, saving in the wrong place might cost me later.

I will look into options other than a tensioner. The first time I learned of tensioners, I did find it quite inelegant and clumsy. I would definitely prefer to skip the tensioner.

I am unsure how to interpret Mr. T13's post. I sense anger in it

T13

I was just being a smartass.


Just get a bike with the correct dropouts/trackends.

mowzer

I agree. It seems like a small thing, but I have my RB-1 converted to SS and the chain tensioner (Surly Singleator) is a nuisance. My heel clips it a couple times a day, and it looks bad.

hairnet

The other option is going with an eccentric BB and a new crank. Not a bad option although a little more complicated if you aren't used to working on bikes.

franswa

one possible inexpensive option is to pick a gear combo and leave it there, then disconnect shifters cables(is this even possible?).

hairnet

You will need to come up with a way to keep the RD in position.

jlafitte 

Fixed Gear Conversions - Sheldon Brown

Kindaslow

Funny, this was the most negative and angry post in this thread.... Coincidence....


luckily, I think I am funny, which makes 3 or 4 of us...

Kindaslow

OP, if you want to do this to satisfy your curiosity, great and enjoy. Otherwise, go for a SS frame.

TenSpeedV2

I wanted to do this with a cx bike I had. Way more than I wanted to bite off. Sell and get the proper frame or keep and get the proper frame.

n0mel

Alright then. I am starting to get the feeling that I would not enjoy the SS experience as much as I could by converting my bike. I did read Sheldon's article some time ago. That is where I learned of the importance of different kinds of dropouts. What mowzer said (as his first post!) is exactly the kind of thing I do not want to deal with riding an SS bike. I want it to be hassle-free.

A proper frame seems to be the way to go.

I am not in a terrible hurry, as I have my Kona for riding to work. That means I have time to look for proper used components. I am easily swayed or you guys are very convincing. Thank you

Kindaslow

Or, we are right, and helpful.

CliffordK

As far as I can tell, the most important thing is to figure out how you will get the proper chain tension. Several options are available.

• Track Dropouts, 1-speed, 3-speed conversions
• Long Horizontal Dropouts (70's style steel frame bikes)
• White Industries ENO Eccentric Hub
• BB30 Eccentric Adapter Others?
• Chain Tensioner

Of course, lots of decisions on components, and whether you wish to do freewheel vs fixie.

But once you resolve these issues/decisions, everything else should fall into place.

It may be cheaper and easier to build up a bare frame of your choice rather than stripping off the speeds from an existing bike.

jlafitte 

Kilo TT

IAmSam

1) I don't often ride a roadie but when I do it is an RB-1 , and it just bothers me for someone to have done that. Did you keep the original gearing bits? If you did, what year is your bike and what group was on it? I am always looking for Tri-color goodies to keep my own B'stone running in original trim...if you have any you would like to get rid of, plz let me know.

2) OP...I have ridden a couple of vertical dropout MTBs converted to SS with chain tensioners many hard off-road miles without any heel strike problems so don't let 1 guy's anecdote be your deciding factor.

From your posted plans it seemed to me that besides a few details you had it mostly figured out. But if the thought of a tensioner really bothers you...as hairnet mentioned, an eccentric hub or BB will do the trick for you - in fact a few big-name bike makers have used them in some of their SSCXs lately...

Good luck whatever you choose...

n0mel

Even the possibility of dealing with a problematic tensioner worries me, though. If my goal is simplicity in every way, a tensioner might not be the best option.

I think Eccentric hubs are too expensive (at least here in Finland), which is why I ruled them out from the start. I'm pretty sure the right dropouts would make this whole project much smoother. Hence I am now leaning towards getting another frame/used SS bike.

The idea to convert my CX was not well thought out at the start. Just an idea to use what I consider a decent frame, including the components.

The Mercier Kilo TT looks good. I might have trouble finding it for sale over here. I'll look more into it!

habilis

Welcome to the new and improved SS/FG forum! Lots of constructive advice in this thread. Whichever route you choose, you seem committed to doing either a conversion or a build. In my opinion, that's always more satisfying than buying ready-made. I went the path of using an old frame with semi-horizontal dropouts. That proved to be more than half the battle. Old fart signing off.

[Edit: Just saw your last post. Nothing morally wrong with buying new. It leaves you more time for riding.]

[Edit #2 : Check out this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/framebuild...-just-fun.html
I doubt that I would ever go to such lengths, but it's interesting to know that this option exists. Maybe if I planned to repaint the frame anyway....

jlafitte 

If you like books, especially beautifully designed and illustrated books with abundant historical, technical and practical information, you will enjoy owning this book and using it as a how-to for completing your own SS/fixed conversion:

One Gear: Converting and Maintaining Single Speed and Fixed Gear Bicycles

"One Gear is a unique, much needed contribution to the culture that explains in simple, easy to understand language the steps required for a beginning or intermediate bike mechanic to learn how to rebuild and convert a geared bicycle into a slick, personalized fixie or single-speed. One Gear also contains chapters on single-speed variants such as flip-flop hubs, torpedo hubs and modern coaster brakes, as well as pictorial essays featuring frame builders ranging from classic standard bearers such as Cinelli and De Rosa to contemporary practitioners like Icarus Frames."

The book is simply a pleasure to read. If I ever find that soulful old road frame with horizontal dropouts, it's going to be a lot of fun doing the conversion.

mowzer

Yeah, it bothers me as well. I bought it as frame and fork only (basement find) and then used what parts I had to get it on the road for the summer. I don't know if I'll take the time to rebuild it in the future or not.

youngbull

It's the truth about bikeforums.. truth hurts i guess XD