switching from 18 to single speed
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,083
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From: seattle
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.
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.
#2
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.
www.sheldonbrown.com and look for the single speed link, it has some great articles and tips for setting up a single speed.
#3
53 miles per burrito


Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,489
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From: Dallas, TX
Bikes: Land Shark, Trek 1000, Iron Horse Rogue, Novara Randonee
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!
Good luck!
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,083
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From: seattle
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!
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!
if you can show me someone who can manual with a fixed gear I'll think about it.

Thanks guys!
#5
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.
One of the guys I ride with has vertical dropouts and a 32x16 works just fine.
#6
Banned

Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 2
From: upstate New York
if you can show me someone who can manual with a fixed gear I'll think about it.
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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Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!
Je vais à vélo, donc je suis!





