readygetsetBen

Hey I'm curious to see if anyone has tried using a track crank for a geared setup, either 1x or some how 2x.
If you've done this please let me/us know how and drop a pic.
Thanks everybody!!

JohnDThompson 

Track crank for road is not an issue. If you want a freewheel/freehub for additional gears (as opposed to an internally geared rear hub), you'll want to use a road chainring, though, as true track chainrings use wider chain than road rings. As long as the bolt-circle diameters and number of mounting bolts match, rings will be interchangeable between road and track cranks. You can mount additional rings on track cranks using longer mounting bolts and a longer bottom bracket spindle to get the needed frame clearance.

In short, it can be done. But depending on your actual goal, it may be more cost-effective to simply use a road crank and bottom bracket.

Tim_Iowa

Exactly.
Single speed chains are 1/8 inch wide, for fixed gear, track, bmx, and coaster brake bikes. The cranks and cogs are correspondingly wider.
Derailleur chains are 3/32 wide.

Therefore, the narrower derailleur chain probably won't mesh with the chainring on your track crank.


Also, you could have an issue with chain line.
Track and fixie frames use a 120 mm rear hub width, because they only need room for one cog.
Derailleur road frames use a 126 mm (up to 6 speed) or 130 mm (7-10 speed) hub width, because they have to fit more cogs.

So, track and fixie cranks usually are designed for a narrower chain line than a crank meant for a derailleur system. What this means is that the track crank will be very close to the centerline of the bike, whereas you want the chain line to be nearer the center of the cogset in the rear.
So, even if you use a road chainring with the proper pitch, you'd probably need a longer bottom bracket spindle with your track crank.


So, using a track crank on a derailleur bike can be done, but it will involve some adaptation. Some folks still do it if they love the look of a specific track crank. For example, my friend hoards Campagnolo BMX cranks.

But you'd probably end up with a cheaper solution if you just find an old road crankset.

fietsbob

+1) Real Track is for 1/8" chain, if you build an Internal geared hub rear wheel that also can use 1/8" chains.

Other than that , you need to replace the chainring on that crank.. to allow a 3/32" chain to slip over the teeth.

SquidPuppet

Not completely correct. There are plenty of dedicated single speed specific cranks, chain rings, and cogs that are designed specifically for 3/32 inch.

White industries, widely considered the premier Single speed freewheel manufacturer, builds all their freewheels to accommodate 3/32 inch chains. Standard.

The modern industry standard coaster brake, the Shimano CB-E110 hubs use a cog designed for a 3/32 inch chain. I have a few.

Many Single speed specific cranks are sold with single speed specific chain rings that are designed for 3/32 inch chain. I have a few.

KMC designs and markets a number of 3/32 inch chains as "Single speed/track/fixie/BMX " specific. I use the 7610HX. Great chain BTW.

These all have 3/32 drive trains.

Tim_Iowa

Thanks for cluing me in! I'm not really up on single speed stuff, I just know the old standards.

readygetsetBen

Thanks for your expertise guys! I know it's way cheaper to just find a road crank, I just wanted to know if this sort of thing can be done. If anyone has done it I'd love to see!