Single speed conversion
02-22-24, 07:34 AM
#1
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Single speed conversion
Hey guys. I won this bike in a draw and it is a terrible bike. I already have a small fleet of them between the kids and my hobbies. This bike isn't even great to donate to a charity lol. But I thought it might be a fun project to change to a single speed and make sort of a gravel or commuter style bike. I think I have the rear cog and front chain ring swap sorted out but was wondering if you guys think it's worth getting one of those quill stem adapters to mount some better handle bars to or if there were any other upgrades or changes you would do on a first time single speed swap.
I already have a dedicated mountain bike, commuter bike and a vintage road bike I ride regularly so this would be more of a lite fun project.
I already have a dedicated mountain bike, commuter bike and a vintage road bike I ride regularly so this would be more of a lite fun project.
02-22-24, 09:43 AM
#2
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First, I'd remove everything but the middle ring and make a "single speed" with whatever rear gear provides the appropriate ratio. Then, ride it like that before proceeding. I've used the "quill adapters in the past and they worked perfectly, so that part of your plan should be fine, but you may have equal success with just a handlebar swap.
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02-22-24, 09:52 AM
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Clark W. Griswold
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I would maybe tune it up and give it away. I wouldn't put a dime towards it. If you are desperate for a single speed just don't shift it or go through the hassle of removing any derailleurs and pick a chainring at the front and a cog at the back that works and shorten the chain as needed. Don't swap stems or bars unless you already have them in the parts bin.
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02-22-24, 07:56 PM
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If doing a stem & bar swap and SS conversion, I’d commit to full silver conversion.
silver 7 style quill stem holding silver 25.4mm townie bars.
cheap silver trackracing-style cranks.
Silver seatpost, silver brake levers.
Hell, after all that, put on some Hanjo alloy fenders and Rene Herse tires and you’ll have a $400 $50 bike.
silver 7 style quill stem holding silver 25.4mm townie bars.
cheap silver trackracing-style cranks.
Silver seatpost, silver brake levers.
Hell, after all that, put on some Hanjo alloy fenders and Rene Herse tires and you’ll have a $400 $50 bike.
Last edited by MattoftheRocks; 02-22-24 at 08:02 PM.
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02-22-24, 08:42 PM
#6
52psi
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Converting a terrible bike to single speed will generally result in a terrible single speed bike.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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02-22-24, 10:10 PM
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Here’s a thought: How about just leaving it in one gear? Instant single speed!
And the beauty of this is if you select the wrong gear for your single speed, you can secretly change it to another and no one will be the wiser. Brilliant!
And the beauty of this is if you select the wrong gear for your single speed, you can secretly change it to another and no one will be the wiser. Brilliant!
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Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Last edited by rsbob; 02-22-24 at 10:36 PM.
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02-23-24, 09:36 AM
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One more vote for the rathole analogy. You got it for free and it is junk. Give it away and you are out nothing. Trying to put lipstick on that will only leave you frustrated and with less money.
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02-23-24, 09:52 AM
#9
I don't know.
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that's a wonderful donation bike.
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02-23-24, 12:08 PM
#10
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Thanks for the tips. It may be better used donating it. It really was just going to be a tinker project and I likely wouldn't ride it mush at all. Every time I want a single speed cruiser I just ride my little coaster brake vintage CCM and it does the trick
02-23-24, 01:36 PM
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I don't know.
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It's nice to have a vintage coaster brake bike in the fleet. I have a few.
