Detachable Chainrings?
Right, so I'm bored this summer, and from my 7 bikes, I have quite a few parts leftover. My plan is to take my old Trek 4300 frame and turn it into a commuter/town bike. I'm thinking singlespeed at the momemt, or at least only one ring up front. I have a set of like crappy Alivio cranks but it seems the rings are machined together or something. Is it possible to separate these rings ? If not, is there a tool other than a hand file for which I could file down the outer ring and turn it into a bashguard of some sort?
Also, I kinda wanted just one brake (for simplicity and weight). it will be a v brake, but should it be front or rear? My gut says front as it would be more powerful, but what do you guys think?
One last thing, If I use one chainring up front, and say a 7 speed freewheel in the back, will my chain really wear down quickly or should I be okay, assuming I don't shift often to the high and low cogs?
Sorry if there are some typos,
Byron