So after 1 week of being a bike enthusiast I have fallen in love with the idea of single speed bikes. So I am going to take the plunge and convert my old schwinn 10 speed to a single speed. I just want someone who knows much more than me to give me the ok and maybe some tips before I go ahead. So I plan on going with a 17 tooth freewheel, a set of spacers and new bolts for the crank. Is there anything else I need? (Feel free to say any information that could be helpful to me in anyway) thanks in advance.

Welcome to the club. Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions

The sticky noob thread directory will also be a good resource.

Here's a page for some conversion kits, decent quality. Just figured i'd let you know. Singlespeed and Fixed Gear Conversion Kits

Thanks for the info. Are there any specific brands of anything that I need that I should stay away from or that people here recommend?

So I made a list of everything I plan to get:
SRAM PC-1 chain
Surly cog(17t)
Surly spacers and lockring
Blackspire chainring(42t)
Origin8 chainring bolts

Everything look ok? Please comment if I need anything else or there is a product I should stay away from. Thanks.

You've checked that your old 10 speed doesn't have a thread-on freewheel?

how do I tell? And also, what would that change in terms of parts?

Freewheel or Cassette?

If you have a thread-on freewheel hub, you couldn't use a cog and spacers, you'd need a BMX freewheel.

Also, it's possible that an old bike would use a one piece crank and you might not be able to change out the chainring.

If it's an old 10 speed unless someone before you did a crazy upgrade on the wheels, it is a thread on freewheel.

This is exactly why wanted to check before buying anything. Any suggestions for freewheels? I've seen a lot about whit industries but they're pretty expensive.

Shimano makes a decent single freewheel that costs about $25. I'd start there.

Thanks

I'm sure I will have more parts questions in a near future. Stay tuned.

Do I have to change my crankset or can I use the one that I have on the bike now? If i do, or should, change and recommendations?

Retrospec or origin8 crankset? (Or neither?)