Shimano FFS to single speed
08-04-14, 07:35 AM
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Shimano FFS to single speed
I know this has been brought up before; however, the thread always seems to die out before any real info is given.
I completely disassembled my 1982 schwinn varsity to switch it to single speed. Being fairly ignorant to how technical bike operations work, i thought it would not only be a fun project, but an excellent learning experience. I have learned a lot, and finally have everything cleaned up, polished, and the frame is ready for a repainting.
Then..I hit my first real snag...the FFS.
I have relied heavily on youtube and this forum for most of the issues I have come across, with great success; however, there is almost no info on how to convert this to SS. I'm really just looking for a step by step, or tutorial on how to do it since I am still learning terminology and how things function.
Any help or direction anyone can offer would be more than appreciated!
I completely disassembled my 1982 schwinn varsity to switch it to single speed. Being fairly ignorant to how technical bike operations work, i thought it would not only be a fun project, but an excellent learning experience. I have learned a lot, and finally have everything cleaned up, polished, and the frame is ready for a repainting.
Then..I hit my first real snag...the FFS.
I have relied heavily on youtube and this forum for most of the issues I have come across, with great success; however, there is almost no info on how to convert this to SS. I'm really just looking for a step by step, or tutorial on how to do it since I am still learning terminology and how things function.
Any help or direction anyone can offer would be more than appreciated!
08-04-14, 07:40 AM
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This page offers all the information you could need.
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions
08-04-14, 07:46 AM
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This page offers all the information you could need.
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions
Last edited by Jdaddy615; 08-04-14 at 07:57 AM. Reason: i left the "g" off of "reading"...who does that? hahaha
08-04-14, 10:31 AM
#4
Fresh Garbage
You have two options. You can keep it simple by choosing a gear combo and shortening the chain around that combo, therefore ghetto SS. Or you can take the money route with a new crank, BB adapter + BB(if you want to use a three piece crank) and new freewheel. With the second option you will have to follow Sheldon Brown's advice for respacing and dishing the wheel. Your bike takes an ashatabula crank and those are available if you want to keep to the original look of the bike.
Last edited by hairnet; 08-04-14 at 10:37 AM.
08-04-14, 11:08 AM
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You have two options. You can keep it simple by choosing a gear combo and shortening the chain around that combo, therefore ghetto SS. Or you can take the money route with a new crank, BB adapter + BB(if you want to use a three piece crank) and new freewheel. With the second option you will have to follow Sheldon Brown's advice for respacing and dishing the wheel. Your bike takes an ashatabula crank and those are available if you want to keep to the original look of the bike.
08-05-14, 02:12 AM
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Wot's an FFS? 
Yeah, I know, I'll kick myself when you tell me but at the moment, all I can think of is For Fooks Sake which, while appropriate for Shimano, probably isn't the correct answer.
Yeah, I know, I'll kick myself when you tell me but at the moment, all I can think of is For Fooks Sake which, while appropriate for Shimano, probably isn't the correct answer.
08-05-14, 05:10 AM
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Front Freewheel System. A Shimano dud. The idea was that the freewheel mechanism was in the crank so that the chain was always moving and gears could be shifted while coasting.
