theedude

so i've been looking for tutorials or anything that can help me in this, but i haven't found anything useful. can i get any insight and tips on this? such as what parts to use or avoid using.

theedude

well from the few things i did read i concluded its best to have a suicide hub and leave a brake (or both) on the bike,

GMJ

If you want to make a BMX bike fixed, I figure you only have to change out the freewheel for a cog.

theedude

well if it helps i should probably say i found the bike. it was being thrown away so i took it home. its a diamonback, but i think its an old model.

GMJ can you recommend a good cog?

Street rider

Pretty sure this won't work without an entirely new hub/wheel. Why not just ride it as a BMX bike?

theedude

would you be able to recommend a hub? riding fixed sounds fun, and id rather not invest in a completely new bike just yet. id like to start with this little project first.

jimmytango

Get a decent hub. Velo Orange makes an ok entry level one. I used to ride flatland bmx on a fixed bmx bike. You need a fixed hub, same as with a real fixed gear. Suicide hubs have that moniker for a reason.

EpicSchwinn

If you just want it to screw around with and feel out how you like riding fixed you'll probably be ok with a suicide hub assuming you ride under typical bmx circumstances (low speed, not in traffic) and leave a brake on. Hell, some people ride bmx with a freewheel and no brakes IIRC.

Just suggesting this because riding a BMX bike fixed will probably be nothing like riding a track bike or fixed road bike for that matter.

theedude

well this is just a little project but if the bike turn outs good i will probably be using it frequently. i went to some little shop in the swapmeet trying to find out some more information about this and the dude tried selling me a freewheel and said i didnt need a hub. i dont wanna sound ignorant or anything but the man had a thick accent and i couldnt really understand everything else he said. so from the few responses in this thread and what i have read on other sites i have come to the conclusion that i need to invest on a new hub thats for fixed bikes and a fixed cog?

PlattsVegas

This is not how I ride my bmx. race bikes are fast, responsive, and great for maneuvering in tight spaces. I would never actually recommend riding in traffic, but those crazy messengers can do it in the city on a fixed gear or road bike, so its probably much easier on a nimble bmx. I certainly think so (speaking from limited experience).

mashtofu

Correct. Don't forget the lockring.

wearyourtruth

a lot of bmx bikes use a 110mm rear spacing, which means there are no aftermarket "regular" hubs that are going to fit in your frame. you need to get a metric ruler and measure the distance between your rear dropouts (inside to inside) to find out if it's 110 or 120mm. if you have a 110mm frame, you *might* be able to find a 120mm hub that you can space down to 110, but it'd be hard to know without having it in-hand, plus you then have to invest in at least one cone wrench and a lesson in how to properly service a hub so you don't **** up your bearings when you put the hub back together.

furthermore, if you do find a hub or if your frame is spaced 120mm, you will still then have to build a new wheel, which is a baaaaaaaad idea for someone just getting into bike work.

i don't know what your mechanical experience is, but most people feel they are more capable than they are (no offense). wheel building is something that takes years to master and in inexperienced hands without proper supervision, best case scenario you ruin your wheel, worst case you ruin your face.

you could also go to a bike shop and talk to them about buying a hub, rim, and spokes, and have them build the wheel for you. but that's close to just-buy-a-new-bike price.

Jaytron

BMX bikes are not that fast.

Street rider

Thats me! except I run a freecoaster, not a freewheel. And most people run cassettes now. Freewheels just don't come small enough for BMX.

theedude

so after visiting some shops and making some calls i found out i have to build my own rim. what size hub would fit a 20 inch one?

and street rider, i just saw a freewheel yesterday that was for a bmx. im pretty sure theres plenty more

theedude

or what about a track hub with a fixed cog? would that work too?

nuhtowel

could you guys imagine riding a fixed bmx? not to mention the pedals scraping on every turn, you would have to stand and pedal the entire time since the seats are usually low

Scrodzilla

You guys do realize that fixed BMX bikes are used for flatland tricks only, right? They're not meant for riding any kind of distance or speed.

Scrodzilla

Dude, any single speed freewheel can be used for BMX. Street rider was saying that if you want smaller than 14t, you need to run a cassette.

carleton

+1

Plus, you won't be able to sit down and pedal as the saddles are slammed too low to get any leg extension. The OP will figure this out on the very first ride.

Street rider

Thanks Scrod. Odyssey actually makes a 12t freewheel. And cassettes/freecoasters are a little bit nicer, so more people use them for BMX. IMO they look cleaner too. And I wouldn't use a fixed hub for flatland, because the cranks constantly spinning around while you are could **** you up real bad. Most flatland riders use freecoasters.

Scrodzilla

It's a driver, not a freewheel. There's a difference.

dbwoi

kiss your knees goodbye

Scrodzilla

Again, this isn't a new concept. See post #18.

carleton

Yeah, no one has ever done that:



...Except Trevor Meyer like 15 years ago in the XGames.