Fixed/SS question
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Fixed/SS question
Hello all,
I did scan the threads before posting this.
I've picked up an old bike set up fixed wheel and never owned one before. Question is - how can I tell if it can be converted to singlespeed?
Rear wheel has cog either side of hub and only one has the pin wrench style lockring. However, neither cogs 'coasts' as it's setup now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I did scan the threads before posting this.
I've picked up an old bike set up fixed wheel and never owned one before. Question is - how can I tell if it can be converted to singlespeed?
Rear wheel has cog either side of hub and only one has the pin wrench style lockring. However, neither cogs 'coasts' as it's setup now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
#2
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Does the side without a lockring have left-hand threads showing beyond the cog?
If yes, you have a fixed-fixed hub. You can get another lockring for it. (Be aware, there are two lockring standards. A few Italian hubs use a larger diameter lockring. Miche does on a lot of their fix gear hubs but not all. I would unscrew your current lockring and very gently start the replacement onto it to check (no tools, fingers only,)
If no, ie the threads you can see are right-hand, then you have the far more common fix-free hub where the no-ring side is intended to have a singlespeed freewheel. The fix gear cog will work without issue going forward but if you ever try to brake, intentionally or no, you might unscrew the cog, leaving you in "neutral" and probably throwing your chain which can lock up the rear wheel. If you are at speed, this may well destroy your tire and will scrape paint, gouge the chainstay and quite likely bend a few chain links. It's also quite exciting.
It is also possible the side without a lockring has damaged threads and can no longer accept one. if so, consider this a compromised hub.
BTDT on all of the above scenarios. Rode Cycle Oregon last summer on a hub with stripped lockring threads on both sides. Had good, working brakes on both wheels and rode up, around and down from the Crater Lake rim without issue. (But next time, it's going to be on a hub that is "right".)
Ben
If yes, you have a fixed-fixed hub. You can get another lockring for it. (Be aware, there are two lockring standards. A few Italian hubs use a larger diameter lockring. Miche does on a lot of their fix gear hubs but not all. I would unscrew your current lockring and very gently start the replacement onto it to check (no tools, fingers only,)
If no, ie the threads you can see are right-hand, then you have the far more common fix-free hub where the no-ring side is intended to have a singlespeed freewheel. The fix gear cog will work without issue going forward but if you ever try to brake, intentionally or no, you might unscrew the cog, leaving you in "neutral" and probably throwing your chain which can lock up the rear wheel. If you are at speed, this may well destroy your tire and will scrape paint, gouge the chainstay and quite likely bend a few chain links. It's also quite exciting.
It is also possible the side without a lockring has damaged threads and can no longer accept one. if so, consider this a compromised hub.
BTDT on all of the above scenarios. Rode Cycle Oregon last summer on a hub with stripped lockring threads on both sides. Had good, working brakes on both wheels and rode up, around and down from the Crater Lake rim without issue. (But next time, it's going to be on a hub that is "right".)
Ben
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#3
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If you have a fixed/free hub (as 79pmooney described) it's better to run a singlespeed freewheel on the free side as it has more threads on it, but you can also put a singlespeed freeweel on a fixed side because, even though it has less threads, you actually never generate more force than you would on a fixed cog and the number of engaged threads is fine.
Make sure you have front and rear brakes with practical brake levers if you're going from fixed to singlespeed.
Make sure you have front and rear brakes with practical brake levers if you're going from fixed to singlespeed.
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Hello all,
I did scan the threads before posting this.
I've picked up an old bike set up fixed wheel and never owned one before. Question is - how can I tell if it can be converted to singlespeed?
Rear wheel has cog either side of hub and only one has the pin wrench style lockring. However, neither cogs 'coasts' as it's setup now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
I did scan the threads before posting this.
I've picked up an old bike set up fixed wheel and never owned one before. Question is - how can I tell if it can be converted to singlespeed?
Rear wheel has cog either side of hub and only one has the pin wrench style lockring. However, neither cogs 'coasts' as it's setup now.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
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Illustrations
Freewheel side. No 'neck'.
Fixed side, slightly smaller lockring diameter and 'neck' created.
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Put front and rear brakes on your bike if you're going to run a freewheel. It's also worth trying out riding fixed for awhile. It's a different experience, but it's not THAT different. It's just a single-speed that doesn't coast.
#7
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Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
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Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
The cool kids were doing it since 2003. I'm not cool so 2008 sounds about right 😆
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Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
Oh, I learned all of this 30 years before the hipsters. (The '00s were funny here in Portland. I didn't have any of their hip stuff - I rode with two good brakes, fenders, old Japanese road bike with a lock on a bracket but I got some respect from them because they all knew I was riding fixed before they were born.)
My two latest fixed gears were designed and set up to have three very different gears for riding serious hills. One has a very long road dropout that allows me to run any 1/8" cog made (that I've ever heard of anyway) and the other is my old Mooney which I set up with 3 different drive trains for similar mountain gearing. The first I have ridden 5 times in the week long Cycle Oregon. I made the changes for the Mooney to do the 2017 Cycle Oregon with its promised gravel but fires canceled the ride. (Left me with a sweet ride so all was not lost!)
Fix gear on the road is cycling at its purest.
Ben
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Hi all,
Thanks for the replies. I'll check to see if I can add a single speed free wheel to the non-lockring side and if so will get one.
In the meantime I'll ride fixie. I only got the bike yesterday and have never ridden fixed before. It was kinda fun. The bike is only for mucking about with the family - riding locally to the park etc so surely I can't get myself into to much trouble..🤔🤔🤔
If SS is s
Thanks for the replies. I'll check to see if I can add a single speed free wheel to the non-lockring side and if so will get one.
In the meantime I'll ride fixie. I only got the bike yesterday and have never ridden fixed before. It was kinda fun. The bike is only for mucking about with the family - riding locally to the park etc so surely I can't get myself into to much trouble..🤔🤔🤔
If SS is s
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Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
#14
Constant tinkerer
Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
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The fact that it's in the wrong gear 90% of the time is a training benefit.
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Sure, but multispeed is cycling engineering at its finest.
I'm with you. There is a small park near my apartment that a lot of people ride to (casually), and I can't tell you how many "fixies" I see compared to geared bikes. And I put it in quotes, because the vast majority are actually single speeds.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
Right, but you can always ride a multispeed bike in the wrong gear, no? Is trying to decelerate with your legs such a good workout? Doesn't seem like the best idea from a physiological standpoint.
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
Fixed gear on the street is a bike that is in the wrong gear 90% of the time, that you can't go around corners fast because of pedal strikes. On the track, they are wonderful but I don't understand the obsession withy fixies other than the hipster cool vibe. Also, they are so 2008.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
Last edited by robertorolfo; 05-12-20 at 02:13 PM.
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Sure, but multispeed is cycling engineering at it's finest.
I'm with you. There is a small park near my apartment that a lot of people ride to (casually), and I can't tell you how many "fixies" I see compared to geared bikes. And I put it in quotes, because the vast majority are actually single speeds.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
Right, but you can always ride a multispeed bike in the wrong gear, no? Is trying to decelerate with your legs such a good workout? Doesn't seem like the best idea from a physiological standpoint.
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
I'm with you. There is a small park near my apartment that a lot of people ride to (casually), and I can't tell you how many "fixies" I see compared to geared bikes. And I put it in quotes, because the vast majority are actually single speeds.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
Right, but you can always ride a multispeed bike in the wrong gear, no? Is trying to decelerate with your legs such a good workout? Doesn't seem like the best idea from a physiological standpoint.
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
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Any geared bike that permits coasting... well, allows distracted riding that involves periodic coasting. Fixed doesn't allow that, and you have to concentrate more at certain times. Coasting geared bikes also make "clicky" sounds. And yes, modulating speed and power using only one's legs is part of the wonder of it.
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Any geared bike that permits coasting... well, allows distracted riding that involves periodic coasting. Fixed doesn't allow that, and you have to concentrate more at certain times. Coasting geared bikes also make "clicky" sounds. And yes, modulating speed and power using only one's legs is part of the wonder of it.
But the thought of using my legs to decelerate sounds a little unnatural and uncomfortable (as in, you are stressing joints in directions they normally aren't stressed in). Plus, my point what that the rear-derailleur is the hallmark of bicycle technology, and so one could argue that a pure bicycling experience should involve using one. Maybe the absolute purest is friction shifting?
#20
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I get the concept. I mean, I'm one of those people that knows (yes, knows) that driving stick is more enjoyable, involving and "pure" than driving an automatic. And I get that you are more directly connected to the road...
But the thought of using my legs to decelerate sounds a little unnatural and uncomfortable (as in, you are stressing joints in directions they normally aren't stressed in). Plus, my point what that the rear-derailleur is the hallmark of bicycle technology, and so one could argue that a pure bicycling experience should involve using one. Maybe the absolute purest is friction shifting?
But the thought of using my legs to decelerate sounds a little unnatural and uncomfortable (as in, you are stressing joints in directions they normally aren't stressed in). Plus, my point what that the rear-derailleur is the hallmark of bicycle technology, and so one could argue that a pure bicycling experience should involve using one. Maybe the absolute purest is friction shifting?
If you know that driving stick is more enjoyable (I refuse to own an automatic) then fixed gear shouldn't be too much of a leap. You just need to ride one for a while. Saying that one thing is better than another thing when you only have experience with one of them is flawed. I appreciate both my fixed gear and geared bikes. And my single speed MTB is a lot of fun on singletrack!
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#21
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Sure, but multispeed is cycling engineering at its finest.
I'm with you. There is a small park near my apartment that a lot of people ride to (casually), and I can't tell you how many "fixies" I see compared to geared bikes. And I put it in quotes, because the vast majority are actually single speeds.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
Right, but you can always ride a multispeed bike in the wrong gear, no? Is trying to decelerate with your legs such a good workout? Doesn't seem like the best idea from a physiological standpoint.
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
I'm with you. There is a small park near my apartment that a lot of people ride to (casually), and I can't tell you how many "fixies" I see compared to geared bikes. And I put it in quotes, because the vast majority are actually single speeds.
But you have a 750 F1, and not everyone has such discerning taste. I'm just a scrub that actually thinks the 999 series is the best looking of the lot...
Right, but you can always ride a multispeed bike in the wrong gear, no? Is trying to decelerate with your legs such a good workout? Doesn't seem like the best idea from a physiological standpoint.
When I see people struggling to get over a bridge here (and not because they want to be struggling, but because they are genuinely having a hard time maintaining momentum), I usually say something along the lines of "that's why god invented gears," as I go past...
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Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
#22
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I'm not allowed to add pictures because I'm new here.
Based on what's written above I think the bike has two fixed cogs. One cog has pin wrench style locking against it but the other side has a large octagonal locking - which was on the drive side when I got the bike.
Is that a standard fixie thing?
Based on what's written above I think the bike has two fixed cogs. One cog has pin wrench style locking against it but the other side has a large octagonal locking - which was on the drive side when I got the bike.
Is that a standard fixie thing?
Last edited by SB01; 05-12-20 at 03:09 PM.
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Same thing happens when you run downhill. It's not unnatural, in fact I think running and fixed-gear have a lot in common.
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#24
Constant tinkerer
I'm not allowed to add pictures because I'm new here.
Based on what's written above I think the bike has two fixed cogs. One cog has pin wrench style locking against it but the other side has a large octagonal locking - which was on the drive side when I got the bike.
Is that a standard fixie thing?
Based on what's written above I think the bike has two fixed cogs. One cog has pin wrench style locking against it but the other side has a large octagonal locking - which was on the drive side when I got the bike.
Is that a standard fixie thing?
#25
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See ye olde threade here about BB lock rings used as jam nuts on a freewheel hub. If you have the tools, you can get the wheel out, take off the lock rings, and all should be clear. It looks like the consensus is that you have two fixed cogs, but the octagonal 'lock ring' sounds like it could be a BB lock ring being used as a jam nut. If that's the case, you have a fixed/free hub, but it's running fixed/fixed.
You can upload photos to your gallery, and one of us can copy and paste them in, too.
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