80's Miyata Single Speed Conversion
06-13-18 | 03:17 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 31
Likes: 2
80's Miyata Single Speed Conversion
Hey y'all
I just moved to Brooklyn and recently grabbed this Miyata 310 off of Craigslist. It's a tad beat up, but seems to pretty ride nicely. I'm thinking about trying to strip it and convert it into s a single speed (seeing as how it is pretty flat here). I've always wanted to build out a conversion and just like the idea of simplicity. I have been reading quite a lot about how to convert my bike, and it doesn't seem to hard. Some help never hurts though!
I guess to begin I'm going to try to just strip and clean the bike. It has horizontal drops so that's definitely a plus. I believe the components are Shimano RX100.
I know that I'll need a Shimano Conversion Kit (Cog/Spacers/Lockring). I found one on amazon for $15 that seems to have pretty good reviews.
Here is where I have some questions. Would it make sense to keep my current crankset and just remove the larger gear? Would I be able to get an ideal gear ratio, or would it be more practical to purchase a new single speed specific crank set?
Aside from that I will likely purchase a new chain, brake caliper/lever, and change out my handlebars and pedals. Also the cups/nuts of the headset are pretty rusted out, and I would like to replace them. Any recommendations on where to find these parts?
I guess I'm mostly confused about converting my back tire, and whether or not I should change out my crankset. I plan to do a bit more reading about gear ratio, as I will have to figure out what ratio I want to ride. I do have a friend that is a bit of a geared that I plan to ask for some help, and also plan on making a few trips to my local bike CO-OP (seeing as I don't have any tools).
I have some pictures that I can upload, but can't because I'm a new member. Sorry about the long post, but any help or advice is really appreciated.
Thanks!
I just moved to Brooklyn and recently grabbed this Miyata 310 off of Craigslist. It's a tad beat up, but seems to pretty ride nicely. I'm thinking about trying to strip it and convert it into s a single speed (seeing as how it is pretty flat here). I've always wanted to build out a conversion and just like the idea of simplicity. I have been reading quite a lot about how to convert my bike, and it doesn't seem to hard. Some help never hurts though!
I guess to begin I'm going to try to just strip and clean the bike. It has horizontal drops so that's definitely a plus. I believe the components are Shimano RX100.
I know that I'll need a Shimano Conversion Kit (Cog/Spacers/Lockring). I found one on amazon for $15 that seems to have pretty good reviews.
Here is where I have some questions. Would it make sense to keep my current crankset and just remove the larger gear? Would I be able to get an ideal gear ratio, or would it be more practical to purchase a new single speed specific crank set?
Aside from that I will likely purchase a new chain, brake caliper/lever, and change out my handlebars and pedals. Also the cups/nuts of the headset are pretty rusted out, and I would like to replace them. Any recommendations on where to find these parts?
I guess I'm mostly confused about converting my back tire, and whether or not I should change out my crankset. I plan to do a bit more reading about gear ratio, as I will have to figure out what ratio I want to ride. I do have a friend that is a bit of a geared that I plan to ask for some help, and also plan on making a few trips to my local bike CO-OP (seeing as I don't have any tools).
I have some pictures that I can upload, but can't because I'm a new member. Sorry about the long post, but any help or advice is really appreciated.
Thanks!
06-15-18 | 01:07 PM
#2
Fish Out of Water
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, U.S.A.
Bikes: 1992 Cannondale 2.8, 1993 Trek 930, 2012 Trek Marlin, 2018 Raleigh Back Alley
I recently converted an old 66cm Ross Cr-Mo frame (eBay buy) to SS. Stripped it, painted with Rustoleum, and bought new wheels, crank, pedals, seat, brakes and handlebar. Found old stem on eBay--had powdercoated. I run a 46/17 SS.
The bike rides excellent and is just over 20 pounds--I'm very happy with how it turned out.
I wanted it to look new--so I was not afraid to buy new parts. Did a lot of online shopping on eBay and Amazon--got what I felt were good deals on everything. If you can reuse old parts and get what you want in the end, by all means do it that way.
The bike rides excellent and is just over 20 pounds--I'm very happy with how it turned out.
I wanted it to look new--so I was not afraid to buy new parts. Did a lot of online shopping on eBay and Amazon--got what I felt were good deals on everything. If you can reuse old parts and get what you want in the end, by all means do it that way.
