Should I, or shouldn't I...

[RavINguy]

I haven't singlespeeded yet but would like to try it. I have an old cheapie Fisher steel frame and a bunch of spare parts lying around, enough to get 80% of the bike done with no $$$. I will need a fork (haven't decided rigid or squish) and a few misc items (tensioner comes to mind). I just can't decide wether to 'cobble' something together (I'm not worried about my mechanical skills) or go buy a complete bike.

Could any of you guys (and gals) who've done it, purchase and/or build hit me with some pros and cons of each?

Thanks! 8)

J

[bdee]

If you're 80% of the way to building a converted SS then do it and try it. If you like it then go spend the cash on a complete bike with horizontal drops (can go cheap here as well, see Redline or Surly for nice simple steel SS bikes, Redline makes an aluminum version as well). I'm still running my converted singlespeeds (2 years now) but I am building a "true" SS real wheel for my city bike with horizontal drops finally.

The advantages of a convert are, imho:

You can dial in chainline using the tensioner and spacers

You can always add gears back to the bike at a later date

No need to worry about the rear wheel slipping (tugnuts will eliminate this issue on a true SS frame)

The biggest disadvantage of a convert is the extra weight and drag due to more chain and the tensioner. Freewheels without tensioners spin freer. Also there is the normal amount of dish to the rear wheel associated with a freehub body. A wheel built with a SS hub requires no dish and is stronger and evenly tensioned (and easier to build).

Some tips:

Get a chainring without ramps

Use a square taper BB (UN72 or something like that)

Use a cog with as little ramping as possible (if you have an old 8spd HG70 cassette that will work great)

Use a Sram PC - 1 or any of there cheap, heavy 8spd chains

Put a riser bar on it

Don't skimp on a tensioner - you can use an old rear derailluer, they work great. (As much as the fashion police hate to see it, they do work well and don't break)

Have fun with it, and post some pics when it's done.

[gnurider1080]

drink the kool-aid... ;D

[RavINguy]

Thanks for the reply bdee! I'm going to do it, started digging out all my spare parts yesterday...