Vertical Dropouts... SS/FG
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 12
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Vertical Dropouts... SS/FG
So I've read things like "no way jose" and other things which are more believable like "you can work around it if you don't have horizontal dropouts".
I'd ideally like to make this bike a FG/SS flipflop but if I can even just go SS I'll be happy.
Have any of you gone around the issue of vertical dropouts for a SS/FG conversion and if so how did ya do it?
I saw one guy using a "half link" which I'm not sure how I'd install or even get my hands on one of those.
Also how viable is just playing around with gear ratios to make it fit?
I'm not crazy about the idea of a chain tensioner, either. Going for simple.
I'd ideally like to make this bike a FG/SS flipflop but if I can even just go SS I'll be happy.
Have any of you gone around the issue of vertical dropouts for a SS/FG conversion and if so how did ya do it?
I saw one guy using a "half link" which I'm not sure how I'd install or even get my hands on one of those.
Also how viable is just playing around with gear ratios to make it fit?
I'm not crazy about the idea of a chain tensioner, either. Going for simple.
#2
モㄥ工匕モ 爪モ爪乃モ尺
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LA San Gabriel, California
Posts: 2,135
Bikes: Custom frame
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a frame with vert drop outs
i just use a chain braker every time. And i dont have a half link the chain tension is actually pretty tight.
i just use a chain braker every time. And i dont have a half link the chain tension is actually pretty tight.
#3
Your cog is slipping.
Use this magic gear calculator and save yourself the trouble of "playing with ratios":
https://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
https://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
8 Posts
I recommend the White Industries Eno Eccentric hub.
A chain tensioner may be a cheap and quick solution on a vertical dropout frame bike but it also looks ugly.
Avoid if you can!
A chain tensioner may be a cheap and quick solution on a vertical dropout frame bike but it also looks ugly.
Avoid if you can!
#10
Oh, you know...
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 2,834
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you grab a half link and a few different cog/chainring combinations, you'll be able to find one that is close enough for singlespeed use. Riding fixed you have to be a little more picky, but it's definitely doable.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 939
Bikes: raleigh gran prix converted to fixed
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i did it for about 6 months using a half link, the chain stretched over time and i took out the half link, after a while the bike had other problems and i wound up tossing the frame but i kept an eye on it and i never dropped a chain while riding that set up
#12
Oh, you know...
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 2,834
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 939
Bikes: raleigh gran prix converted to fixed
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
chains stretch, well not really, really the pins between them wear out and add a little length but it's refered to as chain stretch, all chains do it
#14
Oh, you know...
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DC
Posts: 2,834
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm more confused by the notion that your chain stretched so much that removing a half-link was a viable option, and you still considered the chain rideable.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 939
Bikes: raleigh gran prix converted to fixed
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
it was a little loose when i had the half link installed and it was fairly tight(though not pulling) once it stretched
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,075
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Without a proper tension method it can be tough. A 1/2in is a long ways.
You can make a magic gear work but an eccentric hub is better. It has enough adjustment in it that I can run a 16t fixed and 18t freewheel. Personally, I am glad I went this route. The wheel is now in its second frame (cyclocross) and if i ever go to a frame with horizontal dropouts i just need new axle caps. They make them in standard and eccentric in every width you could want.
You can make a magic gear work but an eccentric hub is better. It has enough adjustment in it that I can run a 16t fixed and 18t freewheel. Personally, I am glad I went this route. The wheel is now in its second frame (cyclocross) and if i ever go to a frame with horizontal dropouts i just need new axle caps. They make them in standard and eccentric in every width you could want.
#17
Fueled by Tigers Blood
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Echo Park, California
Posts: 1,484
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#18
Your cog is slipping.
We seem to have missed this magic gear calculator from post # 3 so I'm posting it again:
https://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
https://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php
#19
Senior Member
The best thing about the ENO hub is that once I built my wheel around it that thing was more expensive than my bike. So if there is ever a fire, and I cannot carry everything, the wheel comes, the bike burns.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 418
Bikes: Trek Madone, Araya commute
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
.Chris
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 209
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a beater with vertical dropouts. I did the half link thing.. Works fine and didn't have to find a magic ratio or anything. Chain is a tiny bit tight, but everything works just fine.