Schwinn Mirada Single Speed Project
11-18-19, 08:24 PM
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Schwinn Mirada Single Speed Project
So I think I've committed to my winter project for this year: building a mid 80s Schwinn Mirada into a single speed klunker/cruiser. Picked up this PINK frame from CL the other day and mentioned to the seller that I was going to be building it as a single speed. He texted me later in the day and offered to sell me a rear wheel with a Surly flip/flop hub and a Rhyno lite rim. The fact that it was 48 spokes kind of freaked me out, but it was a good deal so I said yes. Today he let me know that he had a front hub and rim to match, so I grabbed those as well and will be building a front wheel.
The rear wheel he sold me has an unused 20 tooth freewheel. I'm thinking about doing a 36 tooth chainring up front. Will 36/20 be too low for an around town cruiser that will sometimes see hard pack and gravel? Or is that a decent gearing for a big heavy bike? I figure that if it doesn't feel right I could always go down to 18t and have a 2:1 ratio. If anyone has any advice/experience on this front it would be a huge help.
Some photos:
The rear wheel he sold me has an unused 20 tooth freewheel. I'm thinking about doing a 36 tooth chainring up front. Will 36/20 be too low for an around town cruiser that will sometimes see hard pack and gravel? Or is that a decent gearing for a big heavy bike? I figure that if it doesn't feel right I could always go down to 18t and have a 2:1 ratio. If anyone has any advice/experience on this front it would be a huge help.
Some photos:
11-18-19, 08:44 PM
#2
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So I think I've committed to my winter project for this year: building a mid 80s Schwinn Mirada into a single speed klunker/cruiser. Picked up this PINK frame from CL the other day and mentioned to the seller that I was going to be building it as a single speed. He texted me later in the day and offered to sell me a rear wheel with a Surly flip/flop hub and a Rhyno lite rim. The fact that it was 48 spokes kind of freaked me out, but it was a good deal so I said yes. Today he let me know that he had a front hub and rim to match, so I grabbed those as well and will be building a front wheel.
The rear wheel he sold me has an unused 20 tooth freewheel. I'm thinking about doing a 36 tooth chainring up front. Will 36/20 be too low for an around town cruiser that will sometimes see hard pack and gravel? Or is that a decent gearing for a big heavy bike? I figure that if it doesn't feel right I could always go down to 18t and have a 2:1 ratio. If anyone has any advice/experience on this front it would be a huge help.
Some photos:
The rear wheel he sold me has an unused 20 tooth freewheel. I'm thinking about doing a 36 tooth chainring up front. Will 36/20 be too low for an around town cruiser that will sometimes see hard pack and gravel? Or is that a decent gearing for a big heavy bike? I figure that if it doesn't feel right I could always go down to 18t and have a 2:1 ratio. If anyone has any advice/experience on this front it would be a huge help.
Some photos:
I ran 32x20t on my 26" fixed gear mtb, good for trails but found it too low for pavement. I bet 36x20 works.
11-18-19, 08:53 PM
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36/20 will give you around 47 gear inches with a typical 26" MTB tire. My personal sweet spot for all-around city riding is about 60 gear inches. That gives me enough power for moderate hills, yet I don't spin out too often on level ground. For you to achieve 60 gear inches you would need a 16T in back with your 36T up front, or you could use a 46T up front with that 20T cog in back.
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01-24-20, 03:27 PM
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Here are a few pictures of the finished product. Sorry for the lack of close-ups. I ended up going with a 38 tooth Salsa chainring up front and a 16 tooth freewheel in the rear for around 64 gear inches. Handlebars are Klunkers from Velo-Orange and they are a blast. Most of the parts were sourced second-hand. Overall, I am very satisfied with this build. Not a period-correct restoration, but I think it retains the spirit of early Klunker/MTBs which is what I was going for.
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01-25-20, 09:20 AM
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Super-simple and clean, and love the color. Enjoy!
