3-speed single-speed?
04-12-08, 11:46 PM
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3-speed single-speed?
I recently bought a Raleigh XXIX and have been enjoying it very much. Right now I have a 13T cog on the back for fast commuting. However sometimes I like to switch back and forth between cogs. It really isn't that hard to switch cogs and chains, but I thought of an easier way.
Just leave 2 or 3 cogs on the hub (I know I have room for at least 2) and fashion an old derailleur as a chain tensioner, then adjust the detailer to switch between cogs. Now I have 2 or 3 gears, and can quickly switch between them without swapping chains.
I bet someone here has already done something similar to this?
Any thought on the idea?
Can I still call it a single speed?
Just leave 2 or 3 cogs on the hub (I know I have room for at least 2) and fashion an old derailleur as a chain tensioner, then adjust the detailer to switch between cogs. Now I have 2 or 3 gears, and can quickly switch between them without swapping chains.
I bet someone here has already done something similar to this?
Any thought on the idea?
Can I still call it a single speed?
Last edited by sphynx_000; 04-13-08 at 12:16 AM.
04-13-08, 12:06 AM
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04-13-08, 12:14 AM
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I wasn't planning on "shifting" with the derailleur , I would adjust the barrel adjuster until the chain is positioned over the desired gear.
04-13-08, 12:19 AM
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I don't really see the point in this.. too much effort, why not just hook up a shifter to the derailleur and run a full cassette on the back, a 1x9 setup or something?
04-13-08, 05:19 AM
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Use a friction shifter, either downtube or barend, to shift the rear derailleur. Cheap and will shift whatever you've got. Use a Surly Dingle cog.
No, it won't be a singlespeed anymore and your hipster cred will be shot to pieces.
However, your "Fred" card should be in the mail soon.
No, it won't be a singlespeed anymore and your hipster cred will be shot to pieces.
However, your "Fred" card should be in the mail soon.
04-13-08, 05:23 AM
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+1 on buying a road bike
04-13-08, 06:24 AM
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you could probably fit 2 cogs on the back...
since your bike has an ebb you could probably adjust for a 2 tooth difference without resorting to a derailleur???
i don't think chainline would be too awful...
on a sidenote: 13t cog is soo small, i'd consider upsizing your chainring so you could at least get a 15t on the back... it will certainly wear much better.
finally: this is freewheel right? don't even try this if your running fixed.
since your bike has an ebb you could probably adjust for a 2 tooth difference without resorting to a derailleur???
i don't think chainline would be too awful...
on a sidenote: 13t cog is soo small, i'd consider upsizing your chainring so you could at least get a 15t on the back... it will certainly wear much better.
finally: this is freewheel right? don't even try this if your running fixed.
04-13-08, 07:50 AM
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04-13-08, 08:32 AM
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Try one of these:
https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/torpedo-duomatic-fs/
I had one back in the late '60s. They were pretty reliable. No shifters, and a coaster brake to boot.
https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/torpedo-duomatic-fs/
I had one back in the late '60s. They were pretty reliable. No shifters, and a coaster brake to boot.
04-13-08, 09:57 AM
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retro direct
04-13-08, 10:07 AM
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Rather than what you are describing, I would run a a White Dos ENO, and a double crank. If you want to get REALLY versatile, run a flip flop hub with a Surly Dingle cog on the fixed side.
OR... do what I do, and ride a geared bike when you want more than one gear choice.
OR... do what I do, and ride a geared bike when you want more than one gear choice.
04-13-08, 07:28 PM
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04-13-08, 07:45 PM
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The only way to have a single speed(no shifters) and still get two speeds is go retro-direct.
The small freewheel is high gear you pedal normal
The large freewheel is low gear you pedal backward.
That's right--switching to pedling backward puts you in low gear!
The small freewheel is high gear you pedal normal
The large freewheel is low gear you pedal backward.
That's right--switching to pedling backward puts you in low gear!
04-14-08, 09:24 AM
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thanks for all the ideas.
Right now I am liking retro-direct, or internal 3 speed. I think both would preserve my hipster image also,
What kind of hub setup do you need for retro-direct?
Right now I am liking retro-direct, or internal 3 speed. I think both would preserve my hipster image also,
What kind of hub setup do you need for retro-direct?
04-14-08, 09:28 AM
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04-14-08, 10:15 AM
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Wouldn't it be simpler to use a Sturmey-Archer three-speed hub? You my be able to get a fixed gear version - https://www.sheldonbrown.com/asc.html