Project: Single Speed 26er
#1
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Project: Single Speed 26er
This is the newest MTB I own . It was my main race/train bike up until the point that I broke my collar bone, and subsequently switched to being a roadie. Other than being used to roll around the neighborhood with my kids when they were young, it's been ignored for over 20 years. I had thoughts of updating the drivetrain to something more modern (was 7-speed), but recently decided to go a different direction with it - single speed. I'm not willing to invest more than a few hundred dollars to make the changes I want. With full drivetrain, it weighed 24 lbs. I'm expecting to get to about 22 in its final form.
First step - strip off the unnecessary parts (shifter, derailleurs, extra gears...)
Parts needed:
Chainring (this one is missing teeth and pretty trashed)
Chainring bolts
Chain
Chain tensioner
Stem (shorter)
Handlebar (wider)
Grips
Tires (probably 2.1, but might go a bit wider, depending on what I can find available)
Tubes (or tubeless conversion)
First step - strip off the unnecessary parts (shifter, derailleurs, extra gears...)
Parts needed:
Chainring (this one is missing teeth and pretty trashed)
Chainring bolts
Chain
Chain tensioner
Stem (shorter)
Handlebar (wider)
Grips
Tires (probably 2.1, but might go a bit wider, depending on what I can find available)
Tubes (or tubeless conversion)
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 05-20-21 at 02:33 PM.
Likes For Eric F:
#2
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Parts on the way, so far...
Tires - Panaracer Fire XC Pro 26x2.1 (will be tubeless)
Stem - FSA OS-190 100mm +/- 6deg
Handlebar - FSA XC-190 20mm rise
Chainring - Focus 32T 94BCD (black)
Next to buy...
Rim Tape - Stans
Valve Stems - Stans or WTB
Sealant - Orange Seal Endurance
Grips - Bontrager Race Lite (white)
Chain - KMC 8.3
Chain Tensioner (if needed)
Gearing will be 32x19, at least to start with. With the 26" wheels, this gets me a slightly lower gear than the commonly-used 34x20 on 29ers. I'm hoping things work out not to need a chain tensioner, but I'm guessing it will probably be required.
Tires - Panaracer Fire XC Pro 26x2.1 (will be tubeless)
Stem - FSA OS-190 100mm +/- 6deg
Handlebar - FSA XC-190 20mm rise
Chainring - Focus 32T 94BCD (black)
Next to buy...
Rim Tape - Stans
Valve Stems - Stans or WTB
Sealant - Orange Seal Endurance
Grips - Bontrager Race Lite (white)
Chain - KMC 8.3
Chain Tensioner (if needed)
Gearing will be 32x19, at least to start with. With the 26" wheels, this gets me a slightly lower gear than the commonly-used 34x20 on 29ers. I'm hoping things work out not to need a chain tensioner, but I'm guessing it will probably be required.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#3
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
Nice!
I have lots of compatibility concerns for you...
I have lots of compatibility concerns for you...
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Likes For Darth Lefty:
Likes For SkinGriz:
#5
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Go for it. I feel like my bicycle mechanical knowledge is pretty good (at least the old stuff before Di2 and disc brakes), but I certainly could be overlooking some issues. I would appreciate a heads-up on issues before they bring me to a halt.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 05-24-21 at 05:19 PM.
#6
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Parts showed up today...Bars, stem, chain, rim tape, sealant, and valves.
Still on the fence about chainring bolt color - red or black. Chainring will be black.
Still on the fence about chainring bolt color - red or black. Chainring will be black.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#7
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
Stan’s stopped making their tubeless conversion kit. The Stan’s tape will only cover the spoke holes, not help with seating the bead. You can likely get it to work with two wraps of gorilla, but it’s hokey. Look out for seeping at the rim joint especially if they’re not welded
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-24-21 at 08:09 PM.
#8
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
I don’t see your rear hub and tensioning approach yet. You don’t want to just loop it over a cassette cog, they are made to derail on purpose
Stan’s stopped making their tubeless conversion kit. The Stan’s tape will only cover the spoke holes, not help with seating the bead. You can likely get it to work with two wraps of gorilla, but it’s hokey. Look out for seeping at the rim joint especially if they’re not welded
Stan’s stopped making their tubeless conversion kit. The Stan’s tape will only cover the spoke holes, not help with seating the bead. You can likely get it to work with two wraps of gorilla, but it’s hokey. Look out for seeping at the rim joint especially if they’re not welded
Thank you for the info about tubeless conversion I hope I works out, but If I need to run tubes, so be it. I did it for many years before with this bike. It's not the end of the world to do it again. We shall see how it goes.
I also thank you for challenging my plans. It helps me make sure I have my bases covered.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 05-25-21 at 12:09 AM.
#9
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Progress - Bars and stem installed along with changes in headset cap, spacers, and stem cap from my box of parts...
I think I need to disassemble the brake levers and give the black parts a new coat of black paint.
New brake cables and housing have also been added to the list of parts to buy. The old stuff is a bit sticky.
I think I need to disassemble the brake levers and give the black parts a new coat of black paint.
New brake cables and housing have also been added to the list of parts to buy. The old stuff is a bit sticky.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 05-25-21 at 12:42 AM.
#10
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
The Surly single speed cog is good. At thirty bucks it better be... I know budget is a factor here, I think there are Amazon copies. It's a full tooth cog with no sharp teeth or shift ramps, it's 2mm wide at the teeth for derailleur chain, not for BMX chain
https://surlybikes.com/parts/cassette_cog
https://surlybikes.com/parts/spacer_kit $40 :-/
https://surlybikes.com/parts/cassette_cog
https://surlybikes.com/parts/spacer_kit $40 :-/
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 05-25-21 at 12:13 AM.
Likes For Darth Lefty:
#11
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
The Surly single speed cog is good. At thirty bucks it better be... I know budget is a factor here, I think there are Amazon copies. It's a full tooth cog with no sharp teeth or shift ramps, it's 2mm wide at the teeth for derailleur chain, not for BMX chain
https://surlybikes.com/parts/cassette_cog
https://surlybikes.com/parts/spacer_kit $40 :-/
https://surlybikes.com/parts/cassette_cog
https://surlybikes.com/parts/spacer_kit $40 :-/
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Left Coast, Canada
Posts: 5,126
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2236 Post(s)
Liked 1,314 Times
in
707 Posts
Look at compressionless housings for the brake cables. One pack should have enough length to do both brakes.
I recently found these and probably won't use the traditional ones again for a build where full housings are required.
I used Jagwire but there are other brands.
I recently found these and probably won't use the traditional ones again for a build where full housings are required.
I used Jagwire but there are other brands.
Likes For Happy Feet:
#13
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
A little progress...
Chain fits tight with a 19T cog. A little stretch and wear and it should be pretty good without needing a tensioner. I disassembled the brake levers, and will be giving the bodies a new coat of paint. I had enough brake housing in my tool box to cut new pieces for this build, but I still need to pick up some cables. Brakes still need to be disassembled and cleaned, and the tires installed. Fingers crossed that I can make these old rims work in a tubeless setup.
Chain fits tight with a 19T cog. A little stretch and wear and it should be pretty good without needing a tensioner. I disassembled the brake levers, and will be giving the bodies a new coat of paint. I had enough brake housing in my tool box to cut new pieces for this build, but I still need to pick up some cables. Brakes still need to be disassembled and cleaned, and the tires installed. Fingers crossed that I can make these old rims work in a tubeless setup.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
#14
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Success!! Tire setup went easier than expected. Cleaned the rims with degreaser and alcohol. One layer of electrical tape followed by one layer of Stan's tape. Tires went on with the help of a lever, but easily enough. I was pleasantly surprised that the tires seated and pumped up just fine with a regular floor pump, even before adding sealant. I pulled the valve cores, added sealant, re-inflated the tires, and rolled the sealant around. 2 days later, everything is doing just fine.
My final parts have been delivered. I'm looking forward to my first ride.
My final parts have been delivered. I'm looking forward to my first ride.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#15
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
Final assembly complete...
Frame: Trek 9900 (1999 "two face" paint)
Fork: Manitou Ti-SX
Wheels: Shimano XT/Mavic X517
Tires: Panaracer Fire XC Pro 26x2.1 (tubeless)
Stem: FSA OS-190
Handlebar: FSA XC-190
Grips: Bontrager Race Lite
Brakes: Avid Arch Rival 4.0
Levers: Shimano XT
Cranks: Specialized
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-71
Chainring: Origin8 32T
Cog: Shimano Hyperglide 19T
Chain: KMC 8.93
Pedals: Time Atac
Seatpost: True Temper Alpha Q
Seat: Specialized Toupe
Final weight: 21.5 lbs.
Hoping to get it in the dirt soon.
Frame: Trek 9900 (1999 "two face" paint)
Fork: Manitou Ti-SX
Wheels: Shimano XT/Mavic X517
Tires: Panaracer Fire XC Pro 26x2.1 (tubeless)
Stem: FSA OS-190
Handlebar: FSA XC-190
Grips: Bontrager Race Lite
Brakes: Avid Arch Rival 4.0
Levers: Shimano XT
Cranks: Specialized
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-71
Chainring: Origin8 32T
Cog: Shimano Hyperglide 19T
Chain: KMC 8.93
Pedals: Time Atac
Seatpost: True Temper Alpha Q
Seat: Specialized Toupe
Final weight: 21.5 lbs.
Hoping to get it in the dirt soon.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Last edited by Eric F; 05-31-21 at 10:15 PM.
Likes For Eric F:
Likes For SkinGriz:
#17
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
I'm very happy to have found a "magic" gear combination.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#18
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
Legit!
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Likes For Darth Lefty:
#19
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Pepperell MA
Posts: 330
Bikes: 2014 Specialized Allez, Trek Farley, Trek Crockett, Deluxe Team dirt jump BMX, SE Draft, S&M ATF, S&M L.A.M.F., S&M PBR, BSD TrailOrPark, SE Vans PK Ripper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
Nice I recently did similar to my old Stumpjumper M2. Before I was even able to ride it a friend of mine bought it from me.
Likes For osiris419:
#20
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
First ride - all good! I'm very pleased with how everything worked out. 32x19 gearing is good, and now that I know it works, I will be upgrading the cassette cog to something non-ramped.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#21
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
What's the deal with the VW decal? Was it a team sponsor at the time? VW had that one Golf that they sold with a Trek MTB but it surely wasn't carbon
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#23
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,223
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2768 Post(s)
Liked 2,546 Times
in
1,437 Posts
#24
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,223
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2768 Post(s)
Liked 2,546 Times
in
1,437 Posts
The key is what it doesn’t do: shift.
Cogs on a cassette are designed to allow the chain to move from one cog to another. Ramps help the chain climb up to the next cog.
Single Speed cogs are designed to prevent the chain from leaving the cog. The teeth are often a little taller, and there is no need for ramps as there is no shifting to assist.
Cogs on a cassette are designed to allow the chain to move from one cog to another. Ramps help the chain climb up to the next cog.
Single Speed cogs are designed to prevent the chain from leaving the cog. The teeth are often a little taller, and there is no need for ramps as there is no shifting to assist.
#25
Habitual User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 8,197
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5074 Post(s)
Liked 8,375 Times
in
3,954 Posts
VW was a sponsor of the pro team at the same time they did the Trek promotion bike with the Golf. My frame is the pro team version of the OCLV frame.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F: