Fixed Gear Conversion Problem (POSSIBLY STUPID QUESTIONS)
 

Hi,
I've just started my first conversion project (converting a pretty awful Hercules Commuter I picked up for £20) and I'm trying to do it for as little cash as possible, just for a bit of fun.
So, I've been doing loads of research and I've come across some problems that I can't get my head around so I'd really appreciate some help :)

Basically, the Hercules's rear wheel: 1. has a Sturmey Archer hub (don't think this can be easily converted (?) and 2. it's pretty knackered (brake wear, missing spokes, needs bearings looking at). So I reckon I need to swap it out for a new rear wheel. Well I looked on the tyres and it says they're 26 x 1 3/8, so I headed to ebay and found this. I was just about to order when I found on the actual rim of the Hercules it says that it's not a 26 x 1 3/8 but a 26 x 1.375 (590 x 20). Bugger. So my first question is: should I still get that wheel? Or will it be a completely different size to the front wheel?

If the wheel is OK am I right in thinking I can just whack a track cog and a lock ring on there?

If anyone has any better ideas I'd really appreciate it!

Sorry about my outstanding ignorance. But thank you for your time.

It would fit, but its a single speed hub, so you could only fit a freewheel on there

what you need is a wheel that fits a fixed cog/lockring

There are hubs that have 2 sides fixed or one side fixed/one side freewheel

The width of the rim ("_ x 20") denotes the size of tire you can fit on there, wider the rim the wider the tire

Generally speaking any 26" rim will do unless youre trying to fit huge tires on there

There are two 26x1 3/8 sizes. Unless this bike is an old Schwinn it is 590mm in diameter. 26" mountain bike size is 559mm.





Here is a chart of different rim/tire BSDs
http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

Thanks for the help.
I'd looked on Sheldon Brown's tire sizing page before and got a bit confused by the 2 different 26x1 3/8 sizes. I think I'll get the wheel and do the controversial/stupid method of making a suicide hub. I'll be using front brakes anyway.
My father is a mechanical engineer, I'll call him and see if he can maybe weld it or lathe up something to make it a little less "suicidey"

If the cog is tight and you use your brakes then it isn't really suicidey at all.