suntour cassete hub+singlespeed conversion
#1
Thread Starter
Master of the Obvious
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 95
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From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: bridgestone mb-6, schwinn tempo
suntour cassete hub+singlespeed conversion
Hello.
I've searched the forums, google, everywhere I could think of, and I'm hoping someone will give me some good news. I like to think of it as cautious optimism
I'm converting an old (not sure how old, actually) Specialized Rockhopper Ultra MTB into a singlespeed fart around town/trails bike. Frame was donated - had some nasty bent (actually creased) forks, was able to get another fork donated from an old trek. Also got some fairly nice wheels donated - Matrix rims laced to Suntour hubs. Rear has a freewhel.
The cassette was mostly destroyed. Missing so many teeth on several cogs... maybe had a meth problem? I was able to salvage 3 of 4 cogs. Fortunately, they're individual cogs held together by three pins, so could be easily separated.
If you've read this far, you're likely able to deduce my question, right?
What are my options for the continued use of this freehub in this application? am I doomed to scour the interwebs for suntour cassettes that I can break apart and use?
Every conversion kit out there is (understandably) Shimano biased. I realize it would likely be easier to relace the wheel with a Shimano hub, but this is shoestring budget stuff. Protracted unemployment is preventing me from doing much of anything "extra" these days...
Oh, BTW, pics will be forthcoming. The project is in my (locked) truck currently. Tomorrow...
And, tia!
I've searched the forums, google, everywhere I could think of, and I'm hoping someone will give me some good news. I like to think of it as cautious optimism

I'm converting an old (not sure how old, actually) Specialized Rockhopper Ultra MTB into a singlespeed fart around town/trails bike. Frame was donated - had some nasty bent (actually creased) forks, was able to get another fork donated from an old trek. Also got some fairly nice wheels donated - Matrix rims laced to Suntour hubs. Rear has a freewhel.
The cassette was mostly destroyed. Missing so many teeth on several cogs... maybe had a meth problem? I was able to salvage 3 of 4 cogs. Fortunately, they're individual cogs held together by three pins, so could be easily separated.
If you've read this far, you're likely able to deduce my question, right?
What are my options for the continued use of this freehub in this application? am I doomed to scour the interwebs for suntour cassettes that I can break apart and use?
Every conversion kit out there is (understandably) Shimano biased. I realize it would likely be easier to relace the wheel with a Shimano hub, but this is shoestring budget stuff. Protracted unemployment is preventing me from doing much of anything "extra" these days...
Oh, BTW, pics will be forthcoming. The project is in my (locked) truck currently. Tomorrow...
And, tia!
#2
Bianchi Goddess



Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,967
Likes: 4,236
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
single speed right? provided you have the locking mechinism, (I can't recall if that one was lockring or just one of the cogs), your all set. you just need some spacers to take up the extra space and make things tight
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,567
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From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
I published a feature MY "TEN SPEEDS" article on how to do exactly what you are interested in. Have a look at the Poor Boy Junk Bike.
Hope this is a help.
Hope this is a help.
#6
Bianchi Goddess



Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,967
Likes: 4,236
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
HEY thats not fair! don't give out extra advice he only asked about the cassette. of course we all know that will be the next question but let him stumble up to on his own
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#7
Senior Member



Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18,827
Likes: 11,704
#8
I was thrown off by the statement that the wheel has a freewheel. It is actually a cassette, right?
#9
Thread Starter
Master of the Obvious
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: bridgestone mb-6, schwinn tempo
Whoops!
I think I may have accidentally erred on the side of freewheel, when freeHUB was what I meant. A freewheel would make life simpler, indeed.
I am fully aware of the need for a chain tensioner; hence my not asking about it. BG, I'm shocked at the tone of your response. I've long been reading here, oh-so-occasionally posting here, and gathered that you were among the most helpful on the forum... Not taking it personally, just a little disappointed.
Although I don't post here often, and you'd never know unless I told you, I've been farting round with bikes for about as long as I can remember. Built my first bike from a frame & forks 1n 1982 :-) (That's not to say I know everything there is to know; indeed, quite the opposite.)
I was asking specifically about the SUNTOUR freehub/cassette, as in, what are my options when the few existing cogs I have wear out?
As for moving to Lincoln, I've actually considered that as a viable option. I am, however, currently limited in my choices by way of economy and family concerns. But I do try to get out that way when I can. I have a friend that owns an ice cream shop there. :-)
Pics are still forthcoming, and thanks for the replies so far.
I think I may have accidentally erred on the side of freewheel, when freeHUB was what I meant. A freewheel would make life simpler, indeed.
I am fully aware of the need for a chain tensioner; hence my not asking about it. BG, I'm shocked at the tone of your response. I've long been reading here, oh-so-occasionally posting here, and gathered that you were among the most helpful on the forum... Not taking it personally, just a little disappointed.
Although I don't post here often, and you'd never know unless I told you, I've been farting round with bikes for about as long as I can remember. Built my first bike from a frame & forks 1n 1982 :-) (That's not to say I know everything there is to know; indeed, quite the opposite.)
I was asking specifically about the SUNTOUR freehub/cassette, as in, what are my options when the few existing cogs I have wear out?
As for moving to Lincoln, I've actually considered that as a viable option. I am, however, currently limited in my choices by way of economy and family concerns. But I do try to get out that way when I can. I have a friend that owns an ice cream shop there. :-)
Pics are still forthcoming, and thanks for the replies so far.
#10
Thread Starter
Master of the Obvious
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: bridgestone mb-6, schwinn tempo
Aplogies to keep bumping...
...But here's a couple of pics. See, it really DID happen!
Also, It appears I made another mistake: It's not a Rockhopper, but a HardRock Ultra. DOH!
Anyway, it's kind of a frankenbike, built from stuff laying around. Nitto dirtdrop, 105 road cranks. Still need a chain, have to go to my storage unit to fish out some pedals. Cables & housing. (I think I have enough housing.) The spacers are also temporary. lol.
Also, apologies for no garage door. One more thing I lost in the divorce.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]

Also, It appears I made another mistake: It's not a Rockhopper, but a HardRock Ultra. DOH!
Anyway, it's kind of a frankenbike, built from stuff laying around. Nitto dirtdrop, 105 road cranks. Still need a chain, have to go to my storage unit to fish out some pedals. Cables & housing. (I think I have enough housing.) The spacers are also temporary. lol.
Also, apologies for no garage door. One more thing I lost in the divorce.

[IMG]
[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]
Last edited by iTod; 12-02-10 at 06:58 PM. Reason: pics... uugghhh...
#11
Bianchi Goddess



Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,967
Likes: 4,236
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
I am fully aware of the need for a chain tensioner; hence my not asking about it. BG, I'm shocked at the tone of your response. I've long been reading here, oh-so-occasionally posting here, and gathered that you were among the most helpful on the forum... Not taking it personally, just a little disappointed.
OH don't take it personally I was not really being mean just trying to have a bit of fun. I had thought of the tensions and as you mentioned the kits I dismissed it.
that was a great color but I thought they had shimano bits.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#12
Thread Starter
Master of the Obvious
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: bridgestone mb-6, schwinn tempo
In fact, the fork is off a Trek (830, I think) frame that was badly rattlecanned. I salvaged the BB from it as well.
Thanks.
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