Is it difficult to convert a 28-speed road bicycle into a single speed bike?

Question

Is it difficult (for someone with decent mechanical skills) to convert a 28-speed road bicycle into a single speed road bike (like the Giant Bowery or the Schwinn Madison) by switching out the cranks (or removing them) and removing the derailers?

Answer 1

There is a guide on how to convert here



http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html



If you want a single speed bike the best way to get one is via a Track/ Velodrome orientated club. Most members upgrade regularly. There is usually a few used bikes readily available good quality and cheap. But a conversion is fun too.

Answer 2

It is fairly easy and inexpensive. You can use this kit from Performance...$25.



http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=23062&item=50-6550&slitrk=search&slisearch=true



You don't even have to remove the cranks if you don't want to.

You have to replace the rear cassette with the parts from the kit, then re-size the chain to make it fit as tightly as possible. It even comes with a chain tensioner.



The key is to get the most straight line from the crank to the rear to reduce tension on the chain.



Have fun!

Answer 3

If your frame is specifically built to be a single speed you won't be able to do it since there is no where to hang the rear derailleur. The only way you could make this a multi-gear bicycle is to use an internally geared hub, like three speeds have. You can get them in 3,5,7 or 8 speeds. If you have $1200USD you can get a Rohloff Speedhub with 14 speeds that duplicates the gear range of a 27 speed derailleur system. You would have to verify with a local bike shop that your frame can take a internal gear hub.

Answer 4

Only Mr Andrew W got it right and even provided the link.

So apparently , it's not that difficult .

Answer 5

Mad Monkey, did you read the question?



He asked if it was difficult, and you replied with a "Yes". Then, gave him reasons why it wouldn't be difficult.

Answer 6

next to impossible, you will have to replace the rear wheel with a single speed hub spaced to fit your frame. you will have to replace the bottom bracket, for the right spacing, and remove all but one front chainring. you won't be able to adjust chain tension with vertical dropouts. and finally, 28 speed?

Answer 7

EDIT: Your Best Fiend is correct I misread the question. My unqualified YES was to mean that you CAN do this change, not that it would be difficult. AndrewWs suggestion is the best way to get started, I hadn't seen the performance bike kit before.



An unqualified YES!!

Ignore the first two answers, this is stupid simple. I've converted two road bikes with vertical dropouts using a chain tensioner that mounts to the derailleur hanger like this one:



http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/14059-108_DMRTS5-3-Parts-664-Single-Speed-Parts/DMR-STS-Tension-Seeker-Single-Speed-Tensioner.htm



The other thing you'll need is a rear wheel with a threaded hub instead of a cassette, a track cog and lock ring if you want a fixed gear, or a single speed freewheel. All of these parts are readily available.



If you go with a track cog for a fixed gear, you'll need a track chain since the pitch is different.



You'll also need to be concious of the chainline. The chainring and cog should be pretty much lined up or you'll risk the chain hopping off - especially at high cadences. Pick the chainring you're interested in, and mount it on the inside of the crank arm. When you 'sight' down the chainring from the front of the bike, the rear cog should be right behind it or damn close. If you lucky enough to have a bottom braket with adjustable cups, you can offset it slightly to compensate. Otherwise you'll need to look into a different bottom bracket spindle. Be carefull with this part, if you shift it too far inward, you may end up with the chainring rubbing against the chainstay. You might be able to compensate for this by a smaller chainring/cog combination to keep your gear ratio.



Still, the easiest way to do this is to start from scratch, build up a bike from used parts on ebay (using a frame with horizontal dropouts), Half the joy of doing this is actually _doing_ the work. You end up with a finished product that you can show up on rides and say "I built it myself". Not only _can_ you make this conversion, I think you _should_ make this conversion.



Or, you could just go out and buy the bowery, but that's no fun!

Answer 8

It may be impossible!! Or at least require more parts if it is the case that your frame has vertical dropouts.you will also need at least a different length bottom bracket axle to make the chain line good, you are also looking at some tools for the removal of the crank ,cassette and the bottom bracket..If I wanted to try it out I think I would just duct tape over the levers and try it that way ( a great Idea I stole from DIRTRAG...