fixed gear/single speed conversion question
01-09-07 | 12:45 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 65
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From: NYC
fixed gear/single speed conversion question
hello all,
i just wanted to get some advice from the community about converting my bike to a fixed gear/single speed bike with a flip flop hub. i have a schwinn super le tour from 1979 and its giving me some mechanical problems that force to ride in one gear and i only ever use my front brake anyway, so ive decided to discard all the unnecessary bits and just ride single speed. i want the option to ride FG as well, as i have never tried it and want to give it a shot. i live in NYC and i wonder if any of you have ever gone through the process and have any advice? like whats the best place to go to and how much should i expect to pay for this, im totally clueless and dont want to get ripped off.
thanks in advance,
Lee
i just wanted to get some advice from the community about converting my bike to a fixed gear/single speed bike with a flip flop hub. i have a schwinn super le tour from 1979 and its giving me some mechanical problems that force to ride in one gear and i only ever use my front brake anyway, so ive decided to discard all the unnecessary bits and just ride single speed. i want the option to ride FG as well, as i have never tried it and want to give it a shot. i live in NYC and i wonder if any of you have ever gone through the process and have any advice? like whats the best place to go to and how much should i expect to pay for this, im totally clueless and dont want to get ripped off.
thanks in advance,
Lee
01-09-07 | 12:54 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,744
Likes: 1
From: Van BC
Monimally you should get a new rear wheel with a flipflop hub (Surly is good) plus freewheel cog plus fixed cog and lockring, in the appropriate sizes. All this gear ought to run you $150-200 total depending on how nice stuff you want.
Also you will probably need a new cheap cartridge bb ($15-25) when you're getting chainline dialed in---you want the chainring and cog to be exactly in line with each other, and the best way to do it is by changing bb spindle length to move the chainring into position.
PS try https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html.
Also you will probably need a new cheap cartridge bb ($15-25) when you're getting chainline dialed in---you want the chainring and cog to be exactly in line with each other, and the best way to do it is by changing bb spindle length to move the chainring into position.
PS try https://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html.
01-10-07 | 01:03 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 65
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From: NYC
thank you very much for the reply. i actually talked to a local bike shop here in nyc and they estimated $100 plus parts. this seems to me like it would end up being over 200. it makes me wonder if i should just buy a ready made one--ive seen them on ebay for around $200--but i am already very attachted to the bike i have.
also, can anyone tell me how much weight would a bike usually shed during one of these conversions?
also, can anyone tell me how much weight would a bike usually shed during one of these conversions?
01-10-07 | 08:11 AM
#4
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,862
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From: Plano, Texas
Bikes: Panasonic DX4000, Bianchi Pista
Im not sure how much weight mine lost, but my steel frame panasonic weighs 21 lbs.
That includes my commuter lights and the heavier fork I installed for using a disc brake.
That includes my commuter lights and the heavier fork I installed for using a disc brake.
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The first rule of flats is You don't talk about flats!
The first rule of flats is You don't talk about flats!
01-10-07 | 10:11 AM
#5
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 569
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Originally Posted by pretendlee
thank you very much for the reply. i actually talked to a local bike shop here in nyc and they estimated $100 plus parts. this seems to me like it would end up being over 200. it makes me wonder if i should just buy a ready made one--ive seen them on ebay for around $200--but i am already very attachted to the bike i have.
also, can anyone tell me how much weight would a bike usually shed during one of these conversions?
also, can anyone tell me how much weight would a bike usually shed during one of these conversions?
you can get a pre-built wheel for under a $100 usually: https://www.bikepartsusa.com/view.asp...eel&f_c2=Track
add cog and lockring, adds about another $30-$40
