Conversion: fixed gear cyclocross from single speed cyclocross
 

Hi All, I'm new to the forum so just let me know if I'm in the wrong place or missing something.

I have a single speed cyclocross bike (Felt Breed) and I'm interested in being able to ride it as a fixed gear at times--probably just around town. Unless I'm missing some other crafty way to do the conversion, I think I need to get another rear wheel with a fixed gear hub. The challenge I'm running into is that all the wheels I find for sale with fixed or flip-flop hubs seem to be sized for track bike style 120mm dropout spacing, while my (aluminum) frame is 135mm MTB sized.

I suppose I could always get a wheel custom built (or learn to do it myself), but I'm trying to avoid that for now if possible.

Anyone know where I can by a wheel/hub setup that would fit and/or have other ideas for completing the conversion?

Thanks

Velo Orange and Phil Wood come to mind.

Possibly look for another frame closer to the size that will work for a track hub.

You can add spacers to make up the distance. At least you can from 120 to 130. Would an additional 2.5mm on each side make that much difference?

1.5cm is a lot of spacers. IMO - I'd go with a new wheel.

The problem with building a second wheel (in addition to cost) is you'll end up with a weird wheel that you can't swap onto another track frame if you add to your stable in the future. I try to avoid that sort of thing.

Find a rear wheel with a disc hub and a brake track on the rim and get ones those fixed cogs that use the brake rotor mount to, uh, mount?

QBP (Surly's parent company) makes a 130 spaced rear wheel, which would probably be close enough with some washers. $160 msrp available through any shop with a QBP account. Part number is WE2859. Unfortunately they are out of stock right now, but you can also have your shop order a custom built wheel through QBP, using a Surly Ultra New hub with 135mm spacing (70$ msrp). Or you can ask your shop to do it for you. Either way, it's pretty easy.

If you want to have QBP build your wheel, but don't have a local shop you want to deal with, you could try calling Harris Cyclery, they should be able to spec and price one for you and have it shipped to you.

Hand built wheels are the way to go! You can do it reasonably cheaply. QBP mentioned above has a custom wheel service and you can get a Surly Fixed Disc hub in 135 (if you don't want Phil Wood prices which translates into quality and long lastiness) and a Sun Ringlé Assault rim and the cheaper DT Swiss spokes and nips and they build it for you for a small fee. I know a bunch of folks who have gotten QBP handbuilts and they all like theirs for quality and price.

Machine built wheels can be ok but generally will have more issues on down the line and you cannot really always get what you want in them. Machines are just too brutal for the finesse of wheel building. You need a light touch which machines aren't as good at.