Singlespeed novice
- Thread starter oaep7
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Just take off the inner and outer chainrings and use the middle ring (probably 32 or 34T). For a starting point as far as gearing goes I would suggest 2:1 or slightly lower (eg. 32:18 )This depends on how strong/fit you are of course but also what sort of terrain you want to ride. I use 32:18 and find it just right, but then I never ride more than a mile on tarmac (and that's uphill) before I'm at the off-road climbs. Also, I like quite technical riding so the lack of out-and-out top speed doesn't really bother me.
As the previous post suggests Sheldon Brown's site has loads of SS info - have a look at Charlie the Bikemongers site too.
Unless you're very lucky with your choice of ratios (or have a slidey or a horizontal dropout frame) you'll need to run a tensioner too. You can buy one, modify an old mech. or make one from scratch (all part of the SS "as low a budget as possible" ethos
)
Here's a pic of mine anyway - as you can see it isn't the most "desirable" of machines (just my old '88 Explosif). I'm also lucky enough not to have to use a tensioner too - I just use Sram 8 speed chain and when it's brand new it runs a little tight. One ride sorts that out though and once it beds in it doesn't seem to stretch much. I'm using a 32T chainring (deep tooth, unramped) and an 18T SS sprocket on the back with SS conversion spacers I bought from Charlie the Bikemonger.
Shimano XT square taper BB and Sugino cranks that were originally on my mid 90's Kilauea and tht's about it. Oh, and those very hard to spot Magura Race line HS-33's
Apologies for the mis-matched tyres too - more minus syle points, I know
As the previous post suggests Sheldon Brown's site has loads of SS info - have a look at Charlie the Bikemongers site too.
Unless you're very lucky with your choice of ratios (or have a slidey or a horizontal dropout frame) you'll need to run a tensioner too. You can buy one, modify an old mech. or make one from scratch (all part of the SS "as low a budget as possible" ethos
)Here's a pic of mine anyway - as you can see it isn't the most "desirable" of machines (just my old '88 Explosif). I'm also lucky enough not to have to use a tensioner too - I just use Sram 8 speed chain and when it's brand new it runs a little tight. One ride sorts that out though and once it beds in it doesn't seem to stretch much. I'm using a 32T chainring (deep tooth, unramped) and an 18T SS sprocket on the back with SS conversion spacers I bought from Charlie the Bikemonger.
Shimano XT square taper BB and Sugino cranks that were originally on my mid 90's Kilauea and tht's about it. Oh, and those very hard to spot Magura Race line HS-33's
Apologies for the mis-matched tyres too - more minus syle points, I know
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oaep7":27ykobvt said:
If its mainly flat riding I think you will find yourself spinning out with a 32/14 very easily.
As mentioned previously it is all a question of trial and error, but i use a 44/16 for my commute to work, which i find is perfect. It does mean im standing on the steeper of the climbs i have to do, but means i can still cruise at a sensible pace on the flat.
What bike do you currently use for your commute? Use that to work out roughly what gearing you need for the hardest part of your journey.
South Bound
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Yep, got a 44/16 for commuting, seems to be fine. Not gone down the route of bespoke wheels, just a spacer set and tensioner from on one. Only did it out of curiosity and because I am too lazy to maintain the transmission, but now I think it is the way forward.
Note, I would not swap my 27 gears for anything seriously off-road! (well, not yet anyway)
Note, I would not swap my 27 gears for anything seriously off-road! (well, not yet anyway)
oaep7":2sjoyksz said:
Well, I've owned it since 1989 so I wasn't going to part with it now !
Converting it to singlespeed has given it a new lease of life, as it's a whole different experience. The lightness with all the gearing stuff stripped off is nice
. I do ride other bikes (with gears !) too, but my faithful old Kona still brings a smile to my face...in fact the very fact that it is older than some guys I meet on rides makes it even better cooler , plus I think it's one of the few bikes that those flouro yellow HS33's look good (well, ok) on.
