Using a BMX cog for single speed conversion
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Using a BMX cog for single speed conversion
Has anyone ever heard of using a BMX cog to convert a bike to single speed? Is this possible or am I just bat shirts crazy? If the later, so be it. If not, what would one have to do to make this work?
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
#2
Senior Member
Has anyone ever heard of using a BMX cog to convert a bike to single speed? Is this possible or am I just bat shirts crazy? If the later, so be it. If not, what would one have to do to make this work?
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 383
Bikes: 2010 Windsor The Hour, 1982 Fuji Supreme
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
As long as you mean freewheel there should be no problem at all. And I don't think the drop bars are too big a deterrent. At least, I still like 'em.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 9,948
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1332 Post(s)
Liked 398 Times
in
194 Posts
Depends. Some BMX freewheels have a lower tooth count than is possible on standard road/track hubs, and thus won't fit on standard threads.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Has anyone ever heard of using a BMX cog to convert a bike to single speed? Is this possible or am I just bat shirts crazy? If the later, so be it. If not, what would one have to do to make this work?
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
I'm trying to build my first single speed road bike on the cheap using spare parts from my friends local bike co-op I volunteer at. We have a TON of road bikes from the 70's that no one really wants and we were think that we might Ger folks interested in them If they were easy to ride, easy to maintain single speeds. For some reason gears and drop bars deter a lot of people.
however, whether or not you are "bat shirts crazy" is independent, i would think, of your success .
#6
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,786
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3588 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times
in
1,934 Posts
As long as you stay away from the metric thread models, a BMX freewheel will work fine on a standard threaded road hub. That's what I used on my first conversion, many years ago. BMX freewheels also tend to be less expensive than the boutique single freewheels.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
So what do I do about spacers and how would I properly space one?
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 129
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You may have to re-dish and then space the wheel properly. Good info here:
https://www.mtbr.com/ssfaqcrx.aspx#ssConversionsHowTo
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
https://www.mtbr.com/ssfaqcrx.aspx#ssConversionsHowTo
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Above ground, Walnut Creek, Ca
Posts: 6,681
Bikes: 8 ss bikes, 1 5-speed touring bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
i'm assuming you are referring to the freewheel, and spacing it to get a better chainline. if this is not what you mean, ignore this...
it's possible to move axle spacers from one side to the other in order to get a better chainline. the wheel will need to be redished, assuming it was aligned properly to begin with, if axle spacers are moved around.
and it is also possible to put a spacer over the threads before threading on the SS freewheel. there are more than enough threads there to do a proper job. harris cyclery sells these spacers.
it's possible to move axle spacers from one side to the other in order to get a better chainline. the wheel will need to be redished, assuming it was aligned properly to begin with, if axle spacers are moved around.
and it is also possible to put a spacer over the threads before threading on the SS freewheel. there are more than enough threads there to do a proper job. harris cyclery sells these spacers.
Last edited by hueyhoolihan; 03-21-13 at 10:17 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Could someone show me photos of the exact parts I'll need including what the hub should look like as well please?
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Could someone show me photos of the exact parts I'll need including what the hub should look like as well please?
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Astoria, NYC
Posts: 60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
VR4
Commuting
16
06-01-10 05:51 PM