How to Convert a Mountain Bike to a Single Speed
Get back to basics with a single speed. Who needs gears anyway?
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Instructions
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1
Remove your derailleurs, derailleur cables, shifters, etc. Hey, your bike just lost about two pounds!
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2
Convert your cranks. Remove two chainrings. Bolt the middle chainring back on with single or 'shorty' chainring bolts.
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3
Convert your freehub. Remove your cassette and replace it with spacers and a single cog.
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4
Consider building a wheel with a single speed hub. It'll look better.
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5
Get a chain tensioner if you have vertical dropouts. Several companies make them for single speeds. Or just convert your old rear derailluer.
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6
Understand that a 'pure' single speed frame has vertical dropouts. This means you won't need a chain tensioner, so the bike will have a nice, clean look. However, you will need a solid axle and locknuts to hold your wheel in place.
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7
Shorten your chain to the appropriate length.
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8
Adjust the chain tension. You want a bit of slack in your chain, but not too much.
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9
Check your chainline. Your front chainring must line up with the cog in back or your chain will fall of from time to time.
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10
Go ride.
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Tips & Warnings
Most single speeders prefer a 2 x 1 gear ratio, fat tires, and wide bars for out-of-the-saddle climbing leverage.
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Comments
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Item #6 says "vertical dropouts" when you mean "horizontal dropouts".
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Mar 14, 2006
You can also add a down hiller's bash guard in place of your biggest cog so you can use the original chain ring bolts. -
Dec 12, 2005
Vertical, the standard for geared bikes, usually requires a chain tension device. Horizontal (track) style allows you to move the wheel forward and back along the horizontal plane, allowing for tension adjustments.
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Dec 12, 2005
Vertical, the standard for geared bikes, usually requires a chain tension device. Horizontal (track) style allows you to move the wheel forward and back along the horizontal plane, allowing for tension adjustments.
