please talk to me like an idiot.
 

i want to convert a 10-speed to a fixed gear (and yeah, i mean fixed, not single speed), and have read some stuff on how to do it. i'm pretty good at doing things on my bike and learning how to do them, but only from doing and watching. reading mechanical materials confuses me. so i need someone to talk to me like an idiot and strip it all down to what i basically need to do....to get the freewheel off and a fixed gear on the wheel, making sure the wheel's straight, chain length issues, where to get shorter crankshafts...those sorts of things. is this too big a thing, or is it possible to get some help with getting this bike turned into a fixie? i know it's sort of involved, but i'm really having a hard time figuring out from reading what i need to do...it's not normally how i learn this sort of thing.

get a new back wheel, there is not story

No need for the idiot part, no need for me to explain it.

Here:

http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-...onversion.html

If ya gots anymore specific questions after reading this article, please feel welcome to post.
If ya wants any suggestions on what brand of wheel/cog/etc, we know the drill.

EDIT: Everything you every wanted to know about fixed gears are here:
(You may corrupt your life forever though)

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/

the best way to learn is to get in there and get your hands dirty.
you may need to buy a few tools, but they're worth it.
every time you use them you save a trip to the LBS and the money it would cost to repair or replace parts.
you will have to buy parts to convert your bike to a safe fixed gear ride.
most importantly a wheel with fixed specific hub so you can use a fixed cog and lockring.
you can put a cog the hub you have and loctite or jb weld it on, but it's not recommended.
you'll also have to get your chainline correct so the chain doesn't come off.
you don't need shorter crankarms right away, just don't lean too far on turns.
if you want to read more, use the search here and the park tools site has some general bike info too.
http://parktool.com/repair/

As BostonFixed said. Please work on your spacing. Indent or enters help also.

worst case:

$25 tools
$85 parts
$ 15 cage pedals

experience in building the fixie: priceless

why are you people trying to confuse him?? Listen, there should be a rear "derailer" doo-hicki on the back of the bike..-This can be quickly removed with a bolt cutter or, if you will, -gardeners shears...and all those gears on the back? -those can be 'fixed' with some super-strong epoxy "super-glue" in that pesky spinning freewheel mechanism. There, done & done...

<BR> thanks...i think that's pretty much exactly what i needed...i'll bring it up again if i have other questions...i'm sure you all know.

You also need:Carhartt trousers, a Chrome messenger bag and a FischerSpooner CD. (I keed, I keed. ;) )

he's from boise, i'm sure he already has carhartts

sorry, the computer i was on when i wrote that had a broken enter button. i've since learned an html code to get past that, so don't worry in the future.

definitely cage pedals...i probably will put on clipless someday, but not at first, and i can't ride platform pedals anymore...

last post of the day...thanks, everyone...even though some of you differed in opinions, it's all very helpful. a lot clearer than anything i've read yet. now i just want to get my hands dirty and greasy and and all...

also, kris pistofferson, did you post on the relapse records message board a couple of years back?