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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)

singlespeed conversion problem

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Old 07-14-06 | 04:54 PM
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singlespeed conversion problem

I was reading a singlespeed conversion guide and I thought simply i had to remove the shimano freewheel from the hub, and put in a bmx freewheel. Then no more brakes, no more shifting. Bmx freewheels allow coasting, right? If they allow coasting, how do you brake with a single speed bike, do you have to keep brakes on the bike? Then if i dont want brakes, I need to go fixed gear? so confused...
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Old 07-14-06 | 05:04 PM
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You need brakes. Fixed or free. Stopping without brakes if you have a freewheel is impossible unless you are Fred Flintstone. Stopping without brakes fixed gear is about as effective as stopping your car by downshifting (the same principal, actually).

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Old 07-14-06 | 05:08 PM
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coaster brake hub?

What about coaster brake hubs, could I just get one of them and be set, coast, brake, no lines running on the bike, no shifters, no hand brakes, just backpeddle and brake, or coast when I want, or pedal, This sounds like heaven.
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Old 07-14-06 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
You need brakes. Fixed or free.
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Old 07-14-06 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by thursdaynight
What about coaster brake hubs, could I just get one of them and be set, coast, brake, no lines running on the bike, no shifters, no hand brakes, just backpeddle and brake, or coast when I want, or pedal, This sounds like heaven.
Absolutely, that's the glory of coaster brakes. They sound like they're exactly what you want.

Though, if you're descending mountains, apparently you'll not want a coaster brake - they melt. No worries in normal use.

And you only need brakes on your bike if you have a freewheel.
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Old 07-14-06 | 05:45 PM
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Okay, then the question is, where do I find a single speed coaster brake hub to fit 126mm rear spacing? Because of the coaster brake, am I going to have to find a coaster brake hub exactly 126mm wide? I am very excited about this
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Old 07-14-06 | 10:30 PM
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Uh, that's like a hard question that requires actual knowlege to answer.
Can't help you there.

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