Going Single Speed

[durulz]

Hello All.

OK, since I got a new bike a few months ago, I’ve decided to convert my old one to single speed.

Quick question, though.

Do I have to remove the cassette? I mean HAVE to? Is there anything stopping me removing the gears, linking the chain up to the preferred chain wheel, and fitting a tensioner?

I know there are cassette converters, but are they necessary? Yeah, I know they’d look neater and everything, but are they essential?

I was thinking of running the chain from the middle front chainwheel to the thrid or fourth rear gear. And doing without a single speed converter altogether. Although I will add a chain tensioner.

Not pretty, I know – since the rear cassette will still be there. But cheaper. What do you reckon?

Cheers.

[Jeff]

on a cassette there are ramps on the cogs so it will shift up smoothly these ramps will also try to lift the chain up the block when running a single speed thats why a singlespeed cog is just plain its the spring tension on the rear mech that stops the chain jumping gears all the time, you could try it though but i wouldnt expect it to be as smooth as a bespoke cog.

[tomlevell]

Best not too.

SS on the cheap is easy though.

Get a couple of old cassettes and smash the holding pins out of them and remove the spacers. Pick the cog you want and fit that with the spacers and the lockring cog. Take out the top jockey wheel of the rear mech and put a short piece of cable with the knob on that is normally in the gear lever at the barrel adjuster for fine tuning alignment.

Jobs a good un.

UPVC waste pipe (32mm IIRC) is good as spacers.

A Shimano DX BMX cog is better than one out of a cassette as it is unramped and slightly thicker. I use Surly ones as they are a lot thicker and less likely to damage the cassette body.