Disc Hub to Fixie Conversion

[TheHare]

Has anyone drilled a cassette sprocket? I have a SS cassette disc hub with a rim brake rim, that would work out perfect, but making the holes is not going so well. Fast drill, or slow? Type of bit? Let me know if you have had success. Or if you have a drilled cog that you don't need. Or if you know of a company that sells them at a reasonable price. Thanks.

http://www.63xc.com/jasom/milldisc.htm

[Jisch]

Never done it, but that looks like a job for a drill press. It would be easy money. With a drill press I would go with a medium speed. Not too fast, but not slow either. Without a drill press it would be hard to make holes that are perfectly straight, which is going to lead to problems when you try and put screws through it.

John (IMHO, YMMV etc)
<healed up yet?>

[TheHare]

<healed up yet?>
Getting there...Pain is subsiding...Riding cautiously.

[hammerhead]

Use a Cobalt Drill bit if you can find them. Start with a pilot hole then work your way up to your final hole size. Steady pressure. Replace the bit if it stops cutting - don't force a dull bit, you'll just hurt yourself when the pieces start flying.

H.

[TheHare]

Cobalt didn't work. :( Shimano makes a hard cog. Sent it off to the shop with my father in-law. If he has trouble, I am just going to get a hub and build up a specific wheel. Anybody make a fixed/disc hub? I know, I know..., me whimp, but I will be running brakes, just as I do on the road fixie.

[DT]

I've got a drill press you're more than welcome to use (out in Bedford). When I ran the disc fixie I just used one of the Ti ones that Boone puts out. It's not as cheap as buying a regular cog, but in the end it might be closer if you account for your time and the amount of drill bits you go through, ha. I had planned on drilling a few cogs for myself, just haven't gotten around to it yet, but hope to get some done before winter rolls in.

DT

[Dan]

Yes Phil Woods makes a SS hub that you can have a disk mounted on it.
Call and ask for greg he is a nice guy

Then send me an e-mail back we will go ride fixie together

Dan

[TheHare]

Still waiting on the shop? Thanks for the offer on the drill press. Let you know if I end up having to do it myself. Might take you up on the offer.

[heckler]

Just out of curiosity, have you ridden a fixie before? With a front brake and your legs you will quickly find that a rear brake is overkill. Depending on what you are doing, of course. if you are coming down something stupid steep, then, well, never mind.:)

[TheHare]

Just out of curiosity, have you ridden a fixie before? Yes, I have a roadie.
With a front brake and your legs you will quickly find that a rear brake is overkill. Depending on what you are doing, of course. if you are coming down something stupid steep, then, well, never mind.:) I can't slow with my legs very well. I can hop-stop, but skidding isn't always very controllable. Until I figure it out better, I like & need two brakes. :o

[TheHare]

Gott'r done! :rad: My buddy had a drill press and we used some kind of coated bits. Got all six holes done with one bit. The bit still looks like it did after the first hole(a little melty weird looking, but still resembled a drill bit). The technique was 1000 rpm... pressure on the bit and hold until it got hot, and then it poked through pretty quick...repeat. I think the same bit is good-to-go for more cogs.

Rode three times so far, and my thoughts were: First ride: What a waste of time getting this project together. No way this is for me. Second ride: Not so bad, close to SS riding, but very tough in tough spots(steep downs, logs...). Better be sure to wear padded shorts for the next time. I found myself bouncing (unplanned) on the seat at times, in tricky-er spots. Third ride (with padded shorts): Hey... this is definitely harder, but do-able. Seems to be a bit like the Tele-to-Alpine transition... Keeping it interesting.

I found I don't much need the rear brake when going at moderate speeds, but when stepping it up, there is no way I can be without it.

On the third ride I was conquering somewhat steep downs and doing ok, so I tried one really steep down. It was nothing short of hair-raising. :fat: Back behind the saddle, with pedals turning and speed increasing... The bike was hopping up and down and going a good bit side to side, which was all my weight doing it (obviously). Yikes!

Back on it tonight for some more fun!!!! :rad:

[TheHare]

Keeping it interesting.

Back on it tonight for some more fun!!!! :rad:
Interest gone. Fun done. :( Custom 18t disc-drilled cog for sale.

While zipping along a flat unobstructed trail last night, after an hour, forgot I was fixed. :o Went to freewheel for a moment to hop/jump a small rolling-bump. The force of trying to free-wheel, which turned into the pedals catapulting me upward and forward, and my hopping force going in the same direction, at the same time... :( :( :( I crashed so big, on a flat trail. Another broken helmet, wrist, ribs, light. I think my fixed days are completely behind me, but as they say, never say never.

2007... "The Year Of The Injured"

[Superbman]

Hey Man,

see ya sunday--and stop making yourself suffer!!!

Heal up well-ski season is appproaching (and you free-heelers can't afford to be so busted up!!!)

Liam

[hammerhead]

Steve,

Get well - and not before the last wrist was really healed right?

H.

[DT]

Sorry to hear. It can be a real challenge to get started riding fixie off road, especially if switching back and forth from fixie to freewheel. It took me a good summer of riding fixed, before I could ride most everything as easily as I had with a freewheel. And after a short stint back to freewheeling, it took me a month to get back the comfortable fixie feeling. When you've ridden fixie enough it becomes much more carved into your brain. When you stop thinking and turn your brain off, your legs just keep pedaling...

If you can't bear to look at that cog anymore, I can always use another one, ha. Hope you heal up soon and haven't been totally turned from the fix!

DT

[Jisch]

Oh man. This has truly been the year of injuries. Seems that so many people I know are getting hurt. Take it easy Steve...

John

[bdee]

Sucks to hear Steve, hope you heal up quick! You need to be in shape to drag my sorry ass around your local trails the next time I'm in Western MA...

[TheHare]

Sucks to hear Steve, hope you heal up quick! You need to be in shape to drag my sorry ass around your local trails the next time I'm in Western MA...
Thanks bdee! I am four weeks along now and get the cast off in another three. Anytime you want to make the trip, I would be happy to show you the local goods.