Originally Posted by robo
I understand that what i need here is a Shimano BMX cog plus a bunch of spacers, plus a chain tensioner (the bike has vertical dropouts). Can i use any BMX cog, or do i need to get a special one to fit on a cassette hub?
You've got some options here. Chris King, Surly, endless bikes and Shimano all make cogs that will fit your hub. Some other BMX cogs might fit too, I'd suggest taking it to a shop and trying it out.
Originally Posted by robo
NYCbikes has received VERY mixed reviews on this board. If you still have your rear derailleur, you can use that, also. But, some prefer to reduce the number of little pulleys...
Originally Posted by robo
As for the cranks, which chainring should i use? Can i, say, use the middle chainring and simply take off the granny and big ring?
Unless the rings are riveted together (as is sometimes the case with cheap cranksets), sure. Though I'd suggest keeping the big ring if you're going to use it in the city. Folks usually run a 32 ring for off-road riding.
Originally Posted by robo
What is a good gear ratio? I plan to use the bike for city use, with slicks. I live in NYC, so there are a few hills, but nothing huge. If i use the 32T middle chainring, what is a good rear sprocket size?
What's a good pizza topping? Most people run anywhere from 60 inches to 80, so that's about a 2.3 to a 3.1 for 26" MTB wheels. You'll have to make a leap of faith, maybe try out someone else's bike (at NYC bikes?) to get an idea.
Originally Posted by robo
Finally, the rim on the rear wheel is in bad shape, it has a hop that nobody seems to be able to repair. If i'm going to use the bike as a SS, is it worth rebuilding the wheel using the XT cassette hub, or should i get a dedicated SS rear wheel? (ie. which would be more expensive?)
Replacing the rim, spokes, nipples, etc. will definitely cost less than buying a whole new wheel, especially if you are already using a cassette system.
Originally Posted by robo
And in general, any suggestions for getting this stuff as cheaply as possible? I'm hoping to keep the budget under $100, if that's possible..
The CL and ebay are your friends. Also, make friends at bike shops, they might have used stuff for you.
Originally Posted by robo
Sorry about all the questions, it's my first time dealing with anything related to SS.
Everyone's got to start somewhere additional information on SS can be found here:
MTBR SS FAQ