Originally Posted by
Dougie537
Hello All.
I'm new here and have recently acquired an old (1980's) frame and considering turning it into a single speed. My mechanical skills are limited and am after some advice..
1- will I need a chain tensioner ? I think the angled dropouts mean I won't?
2- advantages of a specific single speed wheel over a conversion kit
And any other advice that will help with the build or things to look out for.
Cheers
I think your nomenclature might be off. Single speed is a bike without derailleurs and the chain sized to one cog. You could do that minutes to any bike with 'gears'. Fixed gear means the cog is locked to the hub, no free wheeling.
In either case semi-horizontal drop-out might work without a chain tensioner. Try it first and see of you can enough slack out of the chain, but you do want a bit of slack -- if it binds, makes noise,,,it's too tight.