I bought a 88 Schwinn High Sierra for 25 bucks, chromoly frame, etc.

The frame, cranks and chainrings/sprockets are great.

But I'm going as simple as possible. No gears, no hand brakes. Nothing but the frame, wheels, chain, and such. Vey simplified. M

Any suggestion?

I personally would recommend having a front handbrake, but the plan looks good otherwise. Just make sure you install everything carefully.

Is this a MTB or a road bike? Personally, I wouldn't just use a rear brake (coaster) on a skinny tire bike. There is just not enough contact patch to stop you very well.

Mountain bike

I didn't go quite that far, but I converted a 12-speed road bike into a two-speed runabout. I still have conventional brakes front and back though.



I had something more like you're suggesting in mind, but a wheel with a two-speed kickback hub without coaster brake came my way and I was trying to keep it a budget build. Barely exceeded my hundred dollar target.

There is a huge drop in quality in coaster brakes. Buy a good one.

pedal backwards to slow down / stop.

I also have a Sturmey Archer kickback hub. its very nice for a simple build

my Giant Simple Single is coaster only. but that is for around the neighborhood and lazy trails. anything more than that and i'd want at least a front hand brake.

Once you get said hub, take it apart and carefully understand how it goes back together. Why?

Repack this baby even from new. Put a high quality, non-waterproof grease in there. I use the reddest or blackest wheel bearing grease I can find. You will not cook the hub on hills and it will pay off in reduced maintenance.

If there is one claim to fame I have it is rebuilding/modding coaster brakes. If you feel up to it and have some good red grease around, loose ball the hub. Loose ball coasters spin amazingly but need to be serviced often. Dirt gets in there.

My honest suggestion: just ride it fixed. I never understood coaster brakes.

Not hatin', dudes.

Make sure the axle is long enough for your over locknut distance. You will need some spacers as most coaster hubs are setup for more narrowly spaced dropouts. I would also suggest a front handbrake. It won't clutter up the bike. Have fun! I love coaster brakes.

High temp wheel bearing grease is a must.

So is a front brake if you're going to have foot retention. Clipping out and stopping at the same time makes that last 3 feet of riding dicey.

Coaster brakes are awesome.

Until you've slid under a Buick, or face planted into an Hummer, you may think that a coaster brake is the only way to go, after that you may want real brakes. Break down and use two rim brakes or discs. Being trendy may not be as important as having good stopping power.

I'm not trying to be trendy, just having fun. No traffic...just bike paths. No intense riding and no crazy hills (well, one crazy hill...but not that big of a deal. I can go most of it without touching the brakes.

I already bought the wheel. In the process of painting the frame right now.

I'm hoping to have it finished tomorrow or the next day (or within the week if work isn't too crazy).

Why no traffic? That's one of my favorite parts.

Well, not getting hit by traffic when there is traffic, I guess.

Yeah all those beach cruisers are just death traps.

Ride coaster, repack it. Enjoy. Limit the hate. Sunshine and lollipops.

pics when it is done!

I like my coaster brake bike for running about on.. but having ridden it on trails I'll say I sure wouldn't want to rely on it alone while trail riding.

You are no more or less likely to do any of those things with a properly maintained coaster brake than any other rear brake.

I did an abubabca on the plexiglass of an arena with my coaster brake. I trusted it with my life. A trail ride with one that had quality grease in it would only be hampered by forgetting proper pedal placement when putting a foot down.

Sure a lot of hate for the coaster from people who probable don't even know what one looks like inside.

having experienced both, sans-front brake, i would say its way easier stopping on a coaster brake compared to a fixed gear bike. however i still would ride both with a front brake. i dont currently on my coaster brake bike, i dont necessarily feel unsafe riding it, but a front brake is something i do plan on adding in the near future. my fiance's bike is a coaster brake bike and she loves it. a singlespeed mixte. i put a front brake on it but she never uses it. moreso as a backup.

anywho just my 2cents. coaster brake bikes arn't unsafe, i dunno where people are getting that from. pretty much every beach cruiser and kid's bike ive seen have them and they stop fine. albeit have a tendency to skid way easier. but sometimes thats part of the fun