Cog Vs. Freewheel
09-14-08, 04:32 PM
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Cog Vs. Freewheel
So I have a kHS classic that I think is an early to mid 80's. I'm going to convert it into a single speed. The thing I'm iffy about is how do I choose if a freewheel or cog is better. I have no idea when one should be used over the other. I am definitely a rookie builder, this is only my 2nd bike I'm converting so any advice would be much appreciated
09-14-08, 05:29 PM
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What does "better" mean? What do you want to use it for?
09-14-08, 05:40 PM
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You can coast with a freewheel and you can't with a fixed cog. You're hub also needs to be specially designed for the fixed cog if you want to run it properly with a lockring. Freewheel is your only current option without buying a new rear wheel.
09-14-08, 08:01 PM
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Are you asking whether riding with a fixed cog better than riding with a singlespeed freewheel? That's a question of a somewhat religious nature that should be asked on the SSFG forum.
09-14-08, 08:17 PM
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I like fixed gear, but if you ride a lot of hills you might better stay with a freewheel.
you can put a fixed cog on a freewheel hub. Use a bottom bracket lockring on it, and keep the front brake. If you ride a lot of hills, you will want a rear brake as well, because if the pedals get ahead of you, the front brake makes the bike more unstable.
em
you can put a fixed cog on a freewheel hub. Use a bottom bracket lockring on it, and keep the front brake. If you ride a lot of hills, you will want a rear brake as well, because if the pedals get ahead of you, the front brake makes the bike more unstable.
em
09-14-08, 08:18 PM
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Yeah, you are going to get a lot of opinions voiced asking that question.
If it was me I would go the single speed route because it will be cheaper as you can reuse the stuff that is already on your bike. There are lots of articles on how to do this the short version is:
- remove both derailleurs
- re-space the axle to get a good chainline
- re-dish the wheel accordingly
- remove one chainring from the front
- shorten the chain to the right length
The problem with going fixed gear is that you should have a special hub that allows a lockring to be used. This would mean buying a new rear wheel or at least a new hub and spokes, the former is usually cheaper. You can put a cog on a regular hub (lookup "suicide hub") but this is generally not recommended, although lots of people have done this and it worked out fine.
If it was me I would go the single speed route because it will be cheaper as you can reuse the stuff that is already on your bike. There are lots of articles on how to do this the short version is:
- remove both derailleurs
- re-space the axle to get a good chainline
- re-dish the wheel accordingly
- remove one chainring from the front
- shorten the chain to the right length
The problem with going fixed gear is that you should have a special hub that allows a lockring to be used. This would mean buying a new rear wheel or at least a new hub and spokes, the former is usually cheaper. You can put a cog on a regular hub (lookup "suicide hub") but this is generally not recommended, although lots of people have done this and it worked out fine.
09-14-08, 08:22 PM
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Yeah, you are going to get a lot of opinions voiced asking that question.
If it was me I would go the single speed route because it will be cheaper as you can reuse the stuff that is already on your bike. There are lots of articles on how to do this the short version is:
- remove both derailleurs
- re-space the axle to get a good chainline
- re-dish the wheel accordingly
- remove one chainring from the front
- shorten the chain to the right length
The problem with going fixed gear is that you should have a special hub that allows a lockring to be used. This would mean buying a new rear wheel or at least a new hub and spokes, the former is usually cheaper. You can put a cog on a regular hub (lookup "suicide hub"), but this is generally not recomended.
If it was me I would go the single speed route because it will be cheaper as you can reuse the stuff that is already on your bike. There are lots of articles on how to do this the short version is:
- remove both derailleurs
- re-space the axle to get a good chainline
- re-dish the wheel accordingly
- remove one chainring from the front
- shorten the chain to the right length
The problem with going fixed gear is that you should have a special hub that allows a lockring to be used. This would mean buying a new rear wheel or at least a new hub and spokes, the former is usually cheaper. You can put a cog on a regular hub (lookup "suicide hub"), but this is generally not recomended.
em
09-15-08, 01:17 PM
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a cog is "the gear" it can be threaded onto a track hub with a lock ring for safety
a single speed cog fits a cassette freewheel body conversion
a freewheel cog is its own self contained free spinning unit that threads onto the proper hub( most old style geared wheels and bmx style----
a "singulator" is a mechanism that maintains chain tension on road bike conversions-- for single speed enjoyment and because that little hole where the der. was is lonely... and get a track bike...
and are you going to eat that sandwich?
a single speed cog fits a cassette freewheel body conversion
a freewheel cog is its own self contained free spinning unit that threads onto the proper hub( most old style geared wheels and bmx style----
a "singulator" is a mechanism that maintains chain tension on road bike conversions-- for single speed enjoyment and because that little hole where the der. was is lonely... and get a track bike...
and are you going to eat that sandwich?
