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switching from 18 to single speed

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

switching from 18 to single speed

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Old 10-31-02 | 05:37 PM
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pnj
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switching from 18 to single speed

what is the best way for me to make my bike into a single speed?

for the last week or so i've just been avoiding shifting but i would love to remove the shifters all together to get them out of my way.
I know i'll need to keep my rear derailer on for chain tension but can I remove my front one?

any suggestions?

thanks.
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Old 10-31-02 | 08:41 PM
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I just did it with an old mountain bike frame, just set the rear derailleur high limit screw to where it holds the chain on the gear you want. You can remove both the front and rear cables, and the front derailleur. This setup has worked flawlessly for me. Just remember, keep your chainline as straight as possible to avoid having the chain come off. If you need more explaination, go to

www.sheldonbrown.com and look for the single speed link, it has some great articles and tips for setting up a single speed.
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Old 10-31-02 | 08:56 PM
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As posted above, Sheldon Brown has the most comprehensive info for your conversion. Hey, you might want to think about fixed gear riding. It's a blast.

Good luck!
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Old 10-31-02 | 11:24 PM
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Originally posted by urban_assault
As posted above, Sheldon Brown has the most comprehensive info for your conversion. Hey, you might want to think about fixed gear riding. It's a blast.

Good luck!
fixed gear? like a uni-cycle?

if you can show me someone who can manual with a fixed gear I'll think about it.

Thanks guys!
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Old 11-01-02 | 07:47 AM
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If you have a specific gear combination you have chosen, try it without the rear derailleur. *Sometimes* it works without chain tensioning devices.

One of the guys I ride with has vertical dropouts and a 32x16 works just fine.
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Old 11-01-02 | 08:18 AM
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if you can show me someone who can manual with a fixed gear I'll think about it.
:confused:

FWIW, I can do just about anything on my fixed-gear that I can do on my other bikes (except coast, that is)
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Old 11-01-02 | 08:43 PM
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Old 03-24-07 | 01:40 AM
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Old 03-24-07 | 02:59 AM
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Why...
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Old 03-24-07 | 08:49 AM
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it was the last post on the last page. why not.
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