Fixi conversion to free wheel conversion options
07-27-10 | 01:53 PM
#1
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Joined: Jul 2010
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Fixi to free wheel conversion options
So I have a 1965 ish Mercian track frame. It is fixed wheel with horizontal dropouts. I have moved from London (flat) to Devon (hilly) and want to get some use out of such a great frame. But how? Mercian can add bits to the frame - I was going to send it to them for a re-spray anyway, but I cannot afford the £110 to add vertical dropouts/gear hanger.
Option 1. Can I pop a single speed free wheel on and have 2 or 3 chain rings on the front?
Option 2. Can I add an internal hub to the rear wheel?
Option 3. ?
Any ideas?
Option 1. Can I pop a single speed free wheel on and have 2 or 3 chain rings on the front?
Option 2. Can I add an internal hub to the rear wheel?
Option 3. ?
Any ideas?
Last edited by mammaduck; 07-27-10 at 01:54 PM. Reason: typo
07-27-10 | 01:58 PM
#2
THE STUFFED
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
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From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone SLR9 Gen 8
1. Yes and no; conventional shifting is not possible due to a fixed chain tension. But there's the special S3X hub if you're still interested.
2. If you mean by swap via a entire wheel rebuild, yes you can.
Option 3* get a prebuilt rear track wheel and get a larger tooth count cog if you plan to keep your current outer ring as the front chainring. You can remove the rest.
2. If you mean by swap via a entire wheel rebuild, yes you can.
Option 3* get a prebuilt rear track wheel and get a larger tooth count cog if you plan to keep your current outer ring as the front chainring. You can remove the rest.
07-27-10 | 02:39 PM
#4
Oh, you know...
Joined: May 2009
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From: DC
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Sports Tourer (Polo), S-Works E5 Team Festina (Chorus 11), Trek 2200 Bonded Carbon (Fixed), Trek 920 (7 speed IGH), Chesini Olimpiade SL (1x7)
07-27-10 | 02:52 PM
#5
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Thanks....
The S3X is cool, but at £250 I might as well get the frame converted to vertical dropouts (£110) and have the flexibility of buying any drive set.
What about those tensioners? I have been offered a free, single speed wheel which would be nice to use. Can I put a tensioner on with 2 or 3 front chain rings?
The S3X is cool, but at £250 I might as well get the frame converted to vertical dropouts (£110) and have the flexibility of buying any drive set.
What about those tensioners? I have been offered a free, single speed wheel which would be nice to use. Can I put a tensioner on with 2 or 3 front chain rings?
