Member of the Month

je_t.aime_canard
January, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Bike people - i have a question

profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
here's the deal. i know absolutely nothing about bikes, whatsoever.

a friend of mine has an old road bike he's trying to get me to take off his hands. however, two of the gears in the back are totally bent, and the back rim is also bent. i have another friend willing to give me a wheelset for a couple beers or something, so the rim isn't the issue.

my question is, how hard would it be to convert that bike to a single speed, so i don't have to deal with fucked up gears and other things that can go wrong?

the new wheelset has a freewheel on it so it should be no problem making it a single speed.

there are 3 gears on the front pedal part with a gear guard on the outside. would i need to do anything with those?

i also know i have to shorten the chain since it wont be going through a derailleur.

any other insight is appreciated. thanks.
May 20 2014 11:48AM
11 2
profile picture
Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
Its honestly extremely simple!Just Google who to do it, and find a guy who works with you. You will have to buy a new chain and that about it. Bike tools arnt necessary, but make the job a lot easier

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

This guy has a tone of info on certain parts that i found interesting and helpful

http://www.singlespeed.at/singlespeed/singlespeed.html

this guys guide has a lot of nice pictures and makes it super simple!

Hope it helps!
May 20 2014 12:23PM
1 0
profile picture
theBearJew
Posts: 10951 - Karma: 15,633
Ive been trying to find a old bike frame to convert into a single speed. Anyone have suggestions on how or what types to look for?
May 20 2014 12:25PM
1 0
profile picture
Substitute
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 2,275
theBearJewIve been trying to find a old bike frame to convert into a single speed. Anyone have suggestions on how or what types to look for?

Any frame really. Hardtail mtb frames from the 90s, road bike frames.
May 20 2014 12:30PM
1 2
profile picture
Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
theBearJewIve been trying to find a old bike frame to convert into a single speed. Anyone have suggestions on how or what types to look for?


craigslist is your friend,you most likely wont find any thing under 50 as people know there in demand. check garage sales, people tend to not know people want them and sell for cheap
May 20 2014 12:34PM
1 0
profile picture
byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,872
Ideally look for something with horizontal rear drop outs, cause it is much easier to get the chain tension right for singlespeed. Can't post pics from mobile but google horizontal dropouts vs. Vertical dropouts.
May 20 2014 1:10PM
1 0
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
Caleb.Ehttp://www.singlespeed.at/singlespeed/singlespeed.html


^ That looks incredibly helpful and makes it seem like a pretty simple task. I'm hoping that I have a similar experience. Any idea if I should be worried about the compatibility of the freewheel hub and the chainring? My roommate seemed to think that the teeth could be spaced differently which would cause the chain to fall off.

byuboundIdeally look for something with horizontal rear drop outs, cause it is much easier to get the chain tension right for singlespeed. Can't post pics from mobile but google horizontal dropouts vs. Vertical dropouts.


I'm going to pick the bike up after work, but I'm nearly positive it's horizontal. In the tutorial I quoted above, it mentioned that you'd need a chain tensioner if you didn't have the correct dropout, but it didn't really get into detail. Is that expensive/hard to find/hard to do?

Thanks for all the help, I'm pretty stoked to see how it turns out.
May 20 2014 1:17PM
1 0
profile picture
b-kul
Posts: 4350 - Karma: 1,111
it can be really easy depending on the bike. horizontal dropouts will make it easier but you can make vertical work. whats more important is converting the cranks and chainrings. if the rings are riveted to the spider you will have to drill the rivets out to remove the ring. if its bolted its super easy. also depending on the cassette you can just reuse the cog you want and make some spacers out of pvc. you can also reuse the chain. but ideally for a super reliable, strong setup you would get an ss cog and conversion kit and ss chain. it would cost you maybe $50. personally thats what id do.
May 20 2014 1:19PM
1 0
profile picture
Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
if you do need tools, try and find a bike co-op they should have every thing as well as alot of good ideas.
May 20 2014 1:39PM
0 0
profile picture
J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,145
Hmmmm....

First you say you know nothing about bikes whatsoever.

Then you go on to talk about wheelsets and derailleurs and chain configurations and fixies.

I PROCLAIM SHENANIGANS IN THIS THREAD.
May 20 2014 1:52PM
1 0
profile picture
CaptainObvious.
Posts: 5712 - Karma: 20,639
danbrown^ That looks incredibly helpful and makes it seem like a pretty simple task. I'm hoping that I have a similar experience. Any idea if I should be worried about the compatibility of the freewheel hub and the chainring? My roommate seemed to think that the teeth could be spaced differently which would cause the chain to fall off.



I'm going to pick the bike up after work, but I'm nearly positive it's horizontal. In the tutorial I quoted above, it mentioned that you'd need a chain tensioner if you didn't have the correct dropout, but it didn't really get into detail. Is that expensive/hard to find/hard to do?

Thanks for all the help, I'm pretty stoked to see how it turns out.


In terms of the spacing, of the teeth, no, that's shenanigans. Teeth spacing is universal. Teeth amount is not. So at worse you'd have to adjust the length of your chain, but there are chain tools for around $10 you can get and adjust that yourself. Here's one. You just use the corkscrew function to push the pin out of the chain link you want to break the chain at, remove as many links as necessary, and hook it back up.

Horizontal dropout means you could use a tensioner. Not necessary, but depending on the grip of your bolts. This is an example of a horizontal dropout:

Meaning as you ride the bike, your chain will slowly pull your rear wheel inward due to the tension in your chain an you'll eventually lose tension in the chain, which will result in the chain falling off the rings. Tensioners are really easy to install and use. They basically just loop onto your wheel stem and then hook onto the end of your frame and you would adjust it with - most likely - the bolt that pushes the wheel further out on the horizontal dropout. Here's a pic of one in action:
May 20 2014 2:04PM
0 0
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
J.D.Hmmmm....

First you say you know nothing about bikes whatsoever.

Then you go on to talk about wheelsets and derailleurs and chain configurations and fixies.

I PROCLAIM SHENANIGANS IN THIS THREAD.


Haha I guess I used the term "whatsoever" somewhat loosely. I threw around those words because I've done a bit of reading the last day or two, and talked to some friends around here over the course of the morning. I have no idea what I'm doing.

Also, I never mentioned fixies! Ha

TheSeaCaptainIn terms of the spacing, of the teeth, no, that's shenanigans. Teeth spacing is universal. Teeth amount is not. So at worse you'd have to adjust the length of your chain, but there are chain tools for around $10 you can get and adjust that yourself. Here's one. You just use the corkscrew function to push the pin out of the chain link you want to break the chain at, remove as many links as necessary, and hook it back up.

Horizontal dropout means you could use a tensioner. Not necessary, but depending on the grip of your bolts. This is an example of a horizontal dropout:

Meaning as you ride the bike, your chain will slowly pull your rear wheel inward due to the tension in your chain an you'll eventually lose tension in the chain, which will result in the chain falling off the rings. Tensioners are really easy to install and use. They basically just loop onto your wheel stem and then hook onto the end of your frame and you would adjust it with - most likely - the bolt that pushes the wheel further out on the horizontal dropout. Here's a pic of one in action:


Thanks for explaining. It definitely helps to clear that up. I'm gonna go grab the bike after work and get started, and I'll post any more pictures and questions I have.

I appreciate all the help from everyone else as well!
May 20 2014 2:13PM
0 0
profile picture
I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
Once we see a pic of the bike we can help with a lot.

If the bike has 3 chainrings and a "chain protector" thing, my guess is that they are riveted/pressed together. So you can either keep all that weight, find a compatible old crankset that can be modified to have one chainring or spend ~$80 on a new bottom bracket and crankset.

Alignment shouldn't be an issue. It depends on the wheelset. Is it a modified old wheelset to have a freewheel? Or is it a new wheelset made with the intended use being SS or fixed? The dish of the wheel is what will give you your alignment. Regardless, go buy a new 1/8" BMX or SS chain for $8. The larger spaced chain will help with alignment and the resulting chain noise.
May 20 2014 4:07PM
1 0
profile picture
I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
threads, im converting one as well, i'm not really convinced by the whole fixie thing so i'm going for a duomatic rear hub with kickback brake :)
May 20 2014 4:27PM
0 0
profile picture
OzzyJ
Posts: 723 - Karma: 927
Caleb.EIts honestly extremely simple!Just Google who to do it, and find a guy who works with you. You will have to buy a new chain and that about it. Bike tools arnt necessary, but make the job a lot easier

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

This guy has a tone of info on certain parts that i found interesting and helpful

http://www.singlespeed.at/singlespeed/singlespeed.html

this guys guide has a lot of nice pictures and makes it super simple!

Hope it helps!



Or you could just punch out a pin in the chain, you need a special tool put if you have it you can just punch out a pin in the chain and then reconnect it to the length you want
May 20 2014 6:12PM
0 0
profile picture
Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
I_Am_Modthreads, im converting one as well, i'm not really convinced by the whole fixie thing so i'm going for a duomatic rear hub with kickback brake :)


Very nice!

ProfPolymathOr you could just punch out a pin in the chain, you need a special tool put if you have it you can just punch out a pin in the chain and then reconnect it to the length you want


well u need to do with with the new chain( new chains are always better especially if ur buying vintage bikes that are all old and rusty, but there's many ways to do it, juts take a thing nail and a hammer with a vice grip.
May 20 2014 7:21PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61780 - Karma: 124,904
Dan Brown is now hip.
May 20 2014 7:22PM
0 0
profile picture
jpastor
Posts: 431 - Karma: 848
theBearJewIve been trying to find a old bike frame to convert into a single speed. Anyone have suggestions on how or what types to look for?


like stated above try craigslist and if you cnat fiond anything go to the local bike shop and ask some oldy guy that works there if he has any frames that he wants to part with. If so bargin with him until you get a good price, if that doesnt work dumpster diving will.
May 20 2014 9:44PM
0 0
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
so far everything is going well, super easy. I just need to get my hands on a chain tool to shorten it up and it'll be ride-able. way easier than I thought it'd be
May 20 2014 9:52PM
0 0
profile picture
danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,833
it's done. it was insanely easy, literally took 45 mins from start to finish. the only issue I ran into was the teeth on the single speed hub were further apart than the teeth on the chain. as it turns out, it was the derailleur that was fucked up, and it pulled the entire back wheel forward so it made it appear to be bent. I threw all of that out and used the smallest gear, and everything works great. hill climbing will be tough but once you get going it's real smooth. thanks to everyone that provided info/insight!
May 20 2014 11:23PM
0 0
profile picture
Caleb.E
Posts: 3556 - Karma: 1,015
danbrownit's done. it was insanely easy, literally took 45 mins from start to finish. the only issue I ran into was the teeth on the single speed hub were further apart than the teeth on the chain. as it turns out, it was the derailleur that was fucked up, and it pulled the entire back wheel forward so it made it appear to be bent. I threw all of that out and used the smallest gear, and everything works great. hill climbing will be tough but once you get going it's real smooth. thanks to everyone that provided info/insight!


Nice, post some pics!
May 21 2014 12:12PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)