You will have a wanky chainline over more gears than you would like, unless you get a really archaic cogset to put on the rear wheel. I can get by w/ 1x7 but 1x9 would be extreme.

Im doing this to my Trek 1200 and will most likely end up just make it a single speed.

OP mentioned earlier that the chain rings were riveted in place. It would be pretty cheap to get a new crank on Ebay. Way cheaper than buying a whole new bike.

Or Sunlite Alloy Crankset, 170x44 113 SQR JIS BLK, $18 on Amazon. I'm not saying it would last long, but risking just $18 to see if it works for you is something to consider.

Converting to an IGH appeals to me as well, but I don't believe my drop outs are appropriate for such a conversion. I realize that a chain tensioner could be used, but that takes away from the aesthetic and would be just as susceptible to being banged around as a derailleur.

well, you might consider going from the requirements of the drivetrain
and looking for a suitable frame with those features .
examples
IGH, 120 for 3 speeds , 135 for the German Rohloff and several others..

chain tension horizontal dropouts, rear or front opening ..

Or best setup an eccentric BB and vertical dropouts, easy puncture repairs..

I went from a 2x5 to a 1x3 and like it a lot.

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg

Humor me on this one. Would it be cheaper to source the parts and required tools and attempt to do the work my self before going to the LBS, let them just do it, or consider getting something from BD or CL?

Gulp!
 

Contacted the nearest LBS (a Trek Store) and they stated that converting to IGH (assuming it could be done) would be close to $1k :eek:, and that I'd probably be better off buying their Soho instead :rolleyes:

I'm actually considering doing a 1x10 (using Deore RD, SRAM 1050 cassette) setup, because I like the idea of abandoning the FD and not having to worry about cross chaining (altho one could certainly argue against the chain angle on the extremes of a 1x10).

Is it worth it? Probably not.

At this point, I'm inclined to agree. It'll just be cheaper to get another bike with the drivetrain of my choosing- which does narrow down the field quite a bit.

cheapo origin8 single crankset can probably be had for less than the cost of the triple crank and front shifter after you resell them on ebay.

or you can just lock out the FD limit screws on the middle ring and leave the rivited chainrings as they are; functionally will be a 1*N drivetrain at no extra cost. Or is this a style issue where the extra rings are going to be unsightly?

Would it be cheaper to buy a single speed and throw on an IGH?

Possibly. Kinda depends on where you source from and how much DiY is involved. Me? I'm now torn between getting a cheapish 3spd that is a complete build (but fugly frames per my fashion sense) or a SS with an eye to convert to IGH in the future if i can't hack the SS gearing.

you actually have a 1x9 when you have a 3x9 so it shouldn't cost you anything. remove the inner chainring and the outer chainring (or just leave them), then remove your front derailler and cable and lever (or just leave them on). done.

Except the OP (me) has a 3x8 with riveted chain rings and spends 97% of the time on the outer one.

Find the right ratio for yourself and I bet you won't even want the IGH