Adding an Internal Hub Gear to a Single Speed Bike
 

Is it possible? can a Shimano Nexus go on a Track fork end?
anyone done it before?

Thanks in advance!

You want to run one up front?

"Track Fork End" I thought was the correct term as opposed to "Drop outs". "Fork End" I think refers to the shape, not the part.

OP, google S3X hubs.

Brian
I think the rear one on the single speed bikes are called track fork ends...horizontal and facing backwards....
Stephen

Track ends, whatever. The question kinda defies logic in the first place. I wish people would think before they post.

OP - You won't get any good answers on this forum. I'm moving this to the bicycle mechanics forum. Also, you might try the commuting forum.

Brilliant. Because his question is like asking if derailleurs would work on a single speed with dropouts and a hanger.

Ignoring the terminology debate, what is the rear fork/dropout spacing on your frame? Shimano Nexus hubs are designed for 130 mm rear spacing and, according to Sheldon Brown, deleting the roller brake will allow them to fit 126 mm spacing. If your frame is 120 mm, cold setting will be needed to one of the wider spacings. Horizontal dropouts, no matter which way they face, are a great benefit.

Here is Sheldon's web page describing the Nexus 7 and 8-speed hub installation procedures: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/nexus-mech.html

Thanks
 

Thanks for the info...i love my single speed but need to modify it to be able to ride further....

Not all IGH are 130mm, I've run a 3 speed SA hub quite successfully on a surly steamroller.

The Nexus can work with 130 or 135 mm rear spacing -- it comes with rather thick anti-rotation washers. If you put the washers on the outside of the track ends/dropouts it is spaced for 130. If you put them on the inside it is spaced for 135. Sheldon created the San Jos8 which has track ends and uses the 8-speed hub. If you find that you can't get to 130 with your frame, maybe a 3-speed SA hub will work for you. Those come in 120mm variants.

How many speeds are you going with? I was looking into a 3 speed hub/wheel.

The SRAM P5 is available in 122mm width as are the Sturmey Archer 5 and 8 speed hubs if you do not want to cold set your track ends spacing, or cannot do so due to the frame being CF or Alumiinum. All the other 7 speed and greater hubs are intended for 130mm spacing or 135mm.

I have the SRAM P5 installed on a track end frame with 120mm spacing and it works fine. The main thing is that running the shift cable with a clean appearing routing can be a hassle unless the frame is equipped with cable guides for it. BD is offering the SA 5 speed hub on their Mercier OS frame with 120mm dropouts. That frame incudes braze-ons for shifter cable routing.

SA offers a number of OLD widths for their iGH units, alll the way from 110mm to 135mm. Most of their hubs are shown as available in these multiple widths though I am not sure of actual availability in the USA for all the listed width versions of a given hub.

Yeah I was just looking at the SA website, and it looks like there are several that will work with 120mm: the AW 3-speed and the S-RF5 5-speed, for starters.

The SA 2010 catalog is awesome, I wish one of my LBS carried the full line. Look at the fixed 3 speed hub for instance...although I wonder how hard that would be on the knees during shifts... Anyway, I just purchased the SA 8 speed drum brake hub for a future build, and it is approx 132mm. I tried it on a 120mm track frame and the amount of forging needed is just a bit too scary for me.

I just ordered the S3X 3 speed FG hub wheelset from Bikeisland. Supposed to be here Monday. I also have an older Kona cruiser set up with the old S5-2 Sturmey Archer 5 speed Alloy hub.

LOL, I wish SA carried the full line. No 90mm Aluminum hubs, most of the shifters aren't available, good luck finding a newer 5 speed hub.

A lot of stuff in the catalog seems to be a case of "We can make this if we receive a large OEM order". The rotary shift 3 speed was listed for a couple of years before finally becoming available.

Bikesdirect lists a complete bike with the newest 5 speed hub and the 5 speed bar end shifter so they do exist.