FG Cog Question
 

I am currently running a BMX style freewheel on the stock rear wheel. I am interested in going fixed, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on a new track frame. What kind of options do I have for threading a cog onto the stock hub? I have seen products like this \/\/\/
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...rapperaspx.jpg
Is this a viable option? Or am I really off base here. I know I would need to space it out to have a good chain line.

You'll have issues with the chainline

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...s/DSC00973.jpg

You can't just "space it out". And you'll have no proper lockring.

Suggest you get a purpose built wheel.

And read up about Fixed Gear at Sheldons site.

Do a search for "suicide hub" and "rotafix"

You'll get mixed opinions on this subject. So much that I wouldn't suggest it, but in person, and not here, I would. So would many others.

Whats out there for a purpose built wheel?

lots of fixed wheel sets around-- SOMA has one,
do a little googling. What you will get for anything
less than a good chunk of change is a formula hub
or something comparable, probably rebranded by whoever
is selling them, laced to decent but not great rims

nvm

There is no mixed opinion. Its not called suicide hub because it's safe. Especially if you don't run any brakes.

If you make sure that cog is on there using automotive engine grade locktite, you'll be okay. Once you thread the cog on and use the appropriate adhesive let it dry, and then use a bottom bracket lock ring as another form of "insurance" it'll be bomb proof.

Using a free wheel type of hub is okay for fixed gear, you just need to know how to make it so things won't come apart on you. I know plenty of old timers who did just that for years.

it's perfectly fine if you use brakes (ie NO back pressure)

Just get a cog that has the same number of teeth as your freewheel and thread it on. A track hub has a smaller set of reverse threads to hold a lockring. The lock ring keeps your cog from spinning off when you apply back-pressure.

If you just want to try fixed, just pull off your freewheel and thread on a cog. Just keep on your brakes.

Is your bike by any chance disc brake compatible?
Because if you have a disc mounting bracket on your rear hub, you can bolt a fixed cog onto it, and then you don't have to worry about lockrings, loctite, suicide hubs, etc.

If you can find one that has that option, pick it up.
REDLINE makes freewheel single speed hubs that are disc compatible, and http://www.londonfixiebike.co.uk/ sells some pre-drilled and super sweet cogs.
Or you can just get a cheap one and drill it yourself.
I'd recommend 16 teeth or more, as the smaller ones don't have the surface area for drilling.

I suspect that opinions are mixed on this ...

I have a suicide hub on two of my conversions (and one of those is a flip flop), built a fixed wheel set for my touring bike, and my vintage road bike came with a fixed hub.

A suicide hub is okay of you build it up right and use a brake...to many people fail at the building it right and running a brake part which is suicidal.

Running a purpose built wheel is the best way to go.