Single speed to 7 speed with 130mm spacing. Possible?
09-06-20, 09:14 PM
#1
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Single speed to 7 speed with 130mm spacing. Possible?
Hello,
I have a single speed bike. The rear spacing is 130mm. I want to put a 7 speed freewheel/cassette and make it a geared bike. Is it possible? I'm buying this type of rear derailleur. I have this of dropout. The reason why I'm converting is, I live on a hilly area. Also, the cassette, rear derailleur, chain and front derailleur is cheaper than the cheapest geared bike that I can find in my country. I also have a rim with a freehub on it.
My frame is steel.
I have a single speed bike. The rear spacing is 130mm. I want to put a 7 speed freewheel/cassette and make it a geared bike. Is it possible? I'm buying this type of rear derailleur. I have this of dropout. The reason why I'm converting is, I live on a hilly area. Also, the cassette, rear derailleur, chain and front derailleur is cheaper than the cheapest geared bike that I can find in my country. I also have a rim with a freehub on it.
My frame is steel.
Last edited by Adis; 09-06-20 at 10:29 PM.
09-06-20, 09:34 PM
#2
Really Old Senior Member
It doesn't look like you have room to drill & tap a hole to position AND retain the RDER correctly. (geometry matters to an extent)
Else, it'll be flopping around whenever you remove the wheel.
That's a real pain.
Else, it'll be flopping around whenever you remove the wheel.
That's a real pain.
09-06-20, 10:36 PM
#3
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That RD hanger looks like what my first two bikes had a long time ago. If the silver fitting on the hanger behind the slot is a bolt with a nut shaped to fit both inside and inboard of the dropout, tightening it should keep the RD secure when you pull the wheel out. I'd give it a try (and if that bolt and nut weren't up to the job, I"d by ones that were. Maybe a large hex nut (not Allen) that you could file so a mm or so fits inside the dropout slot)
Ben.
Ben.
09-06-20, 11:05 PM
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It will work, I have done a bunch of these. Why not just go 1x7 and leave off the front derailleur. You can get 7 speed trigger shifters relatively cheaply. Adding front shifting could cause bottom bracket, crank, and chainring changes.
Shifter, cable and housing, some zip ties, freewheel, and that RD would work.
This was a single speed and I had a wrecked bike and cut the RD hanger off it and had it welded to this frame. Now 1x9 using similar dropouts that the OP is using.
This was a 1x7 and needed the rims for another project, ended up a 1x8 and gave it to a guy who needed a bike. Using the same type of RD and dropouts.
Shifter, cable and housing, some zip ties, freewheel, and that RD would work.
This was a single speed and I had a wrecked bike and cut the RD hanger off it and had it welded to this frame. Now 1x9 using similar dropouts that the OP is using.
This was a 1x7 and needed the rims for another project, ended up a 1x8 and gave it to a guy who needed a bike. Using the same type of RD and dropouts.
Last edited by bwilli88; 09-27-20 at 06:46 AM.
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09-27-20, 05:58 AM
#6
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It will work, I have done a bunch of these. Why not just go 1x7 and leave off the front derailleur. You can get 7 speed trigger shifters relatively cheaply. Adding front shifting could cause bottom bracket, crank, and chainring changes.
Shifter, cable and housing, some zip ties, freewheel, and that RD would work.
This was a single speed and had a wrecked bike and cut the RD hanger off it and had it welded to this frame. Now 1x9 using similar dropouts.
This was a 1x7 and needed the rims for another project, ended up a 1x8 and gave it to a guy who needed a bike. Using the same type of RD and dropouts.
Shifter, cable and housing, some zip ties, freewheel, and that RD would work.
This was a single speed and had a wrecked bike and cut the RD hanger off it and had it welded to this frame. Now 1x9 using similar dropouts.
This was a 1x7 and needed the rims for another project, ended up a 1x8 and gave it to a guy who needed a bike. Using the same type of RD and dropouts.
09-27-20, 06:45 AM
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09-27-20, 07:07 AM
#8
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You could also buy a claw hanger:
I've used one and it is secure with the wheel removed. It would allow you to use almost any derailleur (provided cable pull/shifter compatibility is ok, etc.).
I've used one and it is secure with the wheel removed. It would allow you to use almost any derailleur (provided cable pull/shifter compatibility is ok, etc.).
09-27-20, 08:24 AM
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09-27-20, 09:13 AM
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Why are you stopping at 7 speeds on the rear? If you are spending the money to convert, then will 9, 10 or 11 on the rear be that much more?
As bwilli88 mentioned you can just leave it 1x on the front and maybe save the cost of a front DR and shifter. Though the type of hills you have and type of riding you do might make a 2x or 3x front desirable.
I don't know what your dropouts look like, but as some show, you can get an adaper that might work with your bike. Years ago, they were more common on bikes. Perhaps they still are common on some and I just don't see them anymore.
As bwilli88 mentioned you can just leave it 1x on the front and maybe save the cost of a front DR and shifter. Though the type of hills you have and type of riding you do might make a 2x or 3x front desirable.
I don't know what your dropouts look like, but as some show, you can get an adaper that might work with your bike. Years ago, they were more common on bikes. Perhaps they still are common on some and I just don't see them anymore.
09-27-20, 09:20 AM
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Why are you stopping at 7 speeds on the rear? If you are spending the money to convert, then will 9, 10 or 11 on the rear be that much more?
As bwilli88 mentioned you can just leave it 1x on the front and maybe save the cost of a front DR and shifter. Though the type of hills you have and type of riding you do might make a 2x or 3x front desirable.
I don't know what your dropouts look like, but as some show, you can get an adaper that might work with your bike. Years ago, they were more common on bikes. Perhaps they still are common on some and I just don't see them anymore.
As bwilli88 mentioned you can just leave it 1x on the front and maybe save the cost of a front DR and shifter. Though the type of hills you have and type of riding you do might make a 2x or 3x front desirable.
I don't know what your dropouts look like, but as some show, you can get an adaper that might work with your bike. Years ago, they were more common on bikes. Perhaps they still are common on some and I just don't see them anymore.
https://www.performancebike.com/prob...iABEgKrO_D_BwE
09-27-20, 09:28 AM
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7 speed is still a freewheel. If he goes 9 or 10, it means buying a new wheel. I have used one of these on a Redline Monocog for a little while. I have gone back to SS, but it is still on there to keep the axle from slipping.
https://www.performancebike.com/prob...iABEgKrO_D_BwE
https://www.performancebike.com/prob...iABEgKrO_D_BwE
So from what you are saying, some single speed rears have a freewheel attachment machined into them? I've just never noticed such.
09-27-20, 09:35 AM
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If the OP's bike is just a commuter bike and they aren't competing with themselves for speed, then perhaps leaving the bike single speed on the back and 3x on the front might actually be the less expensive way to go. Particularly if a new rear hub or entire rear wheel is involved.
09-27-20, 01:45 PM
#15
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With the quick release closed the wheel was as solid as any other arrangement. The hanger does add some thickness. I can't remember if I used a slightly longer skewer with it. However, it would be the same situation with the derailleur you linked to your original post.
09-27-20, 01:51 PM
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If the OP's bike is just a commuter bike and they aren't competing with themselves for speed, then perhaps leaving the bike single speed on the back and 3x on the front might actually be the less expensive way to go. Particularly if a new rear hub or entire rear wheel is involved.
09-27-20, 03:55 PM
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10-09-20, 05:10 AM
#18
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If the OP's bike is just a commuter bike and they aren't competing with themselves for speed, then perhaps leaving the bike single speed on the back and 3x on the front might actually be the less expensive way to go. Particularly if a new rear hub or entire rear wheel is involved.
10-09-20, 08:49 AM
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Some of those guys on single speed fixies can get up to outrageous speeds on a track.
Though its not your conventional fixed gear, this is, I think, a single gear ratio that went a tad faster than I will ever be on my 11 speed. https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-...0pedal%20power.
10-09-20, 11:21 AM
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If the OP's bike is just a commuter bike and they aren't competing with themselves for speed, then perhaps leaving the bike single speed on the back and 3x on the front might actually be the less expensive way to go. Particularly if a new rear hub or entire rear wheel is involved.
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10-09-20, 11:56 AM
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but, but, but, but....... they could just put an old DR on the rear without shifter and Voila! you have a chain tensioner......... yeah, I'm going with that...... That must be what I had in mind from the get-go! <grin>
