Singlespeed road bike?

[Trevize1138]

I've got an '89 LeTour that I take out every once in a great while for a road ride. It's only a 12 speed with cheap Suntour Blaze equipment on it and it's kinda heavy (about 26 lbs or so, I think. Not too bad, but not too light).

I had a fleeting idea of converting that tank to a single speed road bike, partially to shed some weight. So, any opinions out there on a good gear ratio for a single speed road bike?

I'd like to ride it on days when the trails are too wet and muddy, of course, and would probably just do Long Slow Distance rides on it, not heavy hammering. My riding style tends to be more power and less spinning, so perhaps the equivalent of big chainring and small sprocket? Or, should I go with a less-extreme gear ratio for LSD? I'm guessing I'd want to go with a less-extreme ratio so I can work more on endurance and less on strength for my road rides. Plus, if I wanted to do strength training riding hills I'd have a better gear for that.

Also, is this a good idea? Should I keep the gears on this tank despite the weight?

I'm mostly just looking for an excuse to play around again with the old ride :).

[manual63]

I was actually thinking about doing the same thing to my road ride, but who knows. I hate shifting that thing, but maybe it's because of the setup....I dunno....I'm not a roadie.

[Trevize1138]

I was actually thinking about doing the same thing to my road ride, but who knows. I hate shifting that thing, but maybe it's because of the setup....I dunno....I'm not a roadie.
I know you're not a roadie. That's why I posted my question here: to get opinions from roadies, stupid.

[martini]

Or you could go one step further and go fixed gear. That'll REALLY get your spin down! Personally, I do have a fixie that I love to use in the winter, and as a short distance commuter. I've also got a one speed cyclocross bike that's a kick in the pants to ride, and that would also suffice for what you're describing. I think it'd be a good idea to at least try it out, see if you like it.

[noise_is_life]

I'm personally more attached to gears on my road bike than on my MTB, so I wouldn't want it as my only road bike, but I say go for it. It can give an old bike new life.

If you don't put too big of a gear on there it would be good way to improve pedal speed since high cadance is more efficient all around.

For added fun you could go fixie.

[Trevize1138]

Hmm ... yeah ... fixed gear ... that's a bit too much stress for me yet :)

Guess I'll go ahead and try it. Only question in my mind is that my current rear wheel is a freewheel, not a casette. So, I assume they make single speed freewheels that I can simply swap out with the existing one. I can stop by my local bike shop (that's Sunrise Cyclery on the 3000 block of 2nd Ave. So in Minneapolis ;) ) and ask Jamie about the details of putting one sprocket on a freewheel. Maybe I could just buy a brand new rear wheel from him set up for single speeding, too, since I'm not yet particular about my road bike equipment at all.
I'd also love to be able to put a bit fatter tires on the bike so it's more of a cross bike so I could ride it at the River Bottoms some day for a hoot ... but the frame seems too limiting for that option. Anything larger than 700X25 and I've got tire rubbing on frame, at least in the front. My 700X27 in the rear barely clears.

[berrywise]

Just pick up a bmx freewheel from Sunrise Cyclery, located at 3000 block of 2nd Ave, then you will have to move some of the spacers on the hub and then dish the wheel to get the chain to line up properly with your front chainring.


Hmm ... yeah ... fixed gear ... that's a bit too much stress for me yet :)

Guess I'll go ahead and try it. Only question in my mind is that my current rear wheel is a freewheel, not a casette. So, I assume they make single speed freewheels that I can simply swap out with the existing one. I can stop by my local bike shop (that's Sunrise Cyclery on the 3000 block of 2nd Ave. So in Minneapolis ;) ) and ask Jamie about the details of putting one sprocket on a freewheel. Maybe I could just buy a brand new rear wheel from him set up for single speeding, too, since I'm not yet particular about my road bike equipment at all.
I'd also love to be able to put a bit fatter tires on the bike so it's more of a cross bike so I could ride it at the River Bottoms some day for a hoot ... but the frame seems too limiting for that option. Anything larger than 700X25 and I've got tire rubbing on frame, at least in the front. My 700X27 in the rear barely clears.

[Trevize1138]

Just pick up a bmx freewheel from Sunrise Cyclery, located at 3000 block of 2nd Ave, then you will have to remove some of the spacers on the hub and then dish the wheel to get the chain to line up properly with your front chainring.
Coo.

I'll do that (and by "that" I mean pick up a BMX Freewheel from Sunrise Cyclery, a cool little neighborhood bike shop that everyone should visit and spend money at like a good citizen and consumer. Incidentally, it's located on the 3000 block of 2nd Ave S. in Minneapolis)

[mtnbykr]

depends on your terrain, but for dulluth my ssrbs are set up w/ a 44/18. i have also used a 42/18 w/ larger tires [700cx42].

kl

.

[noise_is_life]

Also, unless you have horizontal drops you will either have to have some sort of chain tensioner or try to find a gear that gives you the perfect chain length.

[manual63]

After reading the original road racing stuff from the early 1900's I would want a flip flop hub with two different sized freewheels like they did back then. Then you have the option of just flipping the wheel around if you want the other gear. They used to be set up so they had a climbing gear and a flat gear. I guess they just spun like crazy or coasted for the downhill parts.

Go RETRO dude.....do a flip flop!

[noise_is_life]

It's my understanding too that a tensioner won't work for fixie, you have to have either horizontal drops or the perfect gear.

Is that right?

[manual63]

It's my understanding too that a tensioner won't work for fixie, you have to have either horizontal drops or the perfect gear.

Is that right?
Maybe, but don't go with a fixie....unless you want to die....:scream:.

[berrywise]

What is the deal with fixies anyhow? Is it just a statement? Maybe riding a singlespeed became to trendy so they had to up it to the next level? I have tried them out here and there and really don't see any benefit to having one. Arguments about how freewheels seize up in the cold winter temps or that it helps you work on your pedal stroke just don't do it for me.

Singlespeeds I get. Fixies I don't.



Maybe, but don't go with a fixie....unless you want to die....:scream:.

[noise_is_life]

Maybe, but don't go with a fixie....unless you want to die....:scream:.
You're the one that said he needs a flip flop hub. :)

[noise_is_life]

What is the deal with fixies anyhow? Is it just a statement? Maybe riding a singlespeed became to trendy so they had to up it to the next level? I have tried them out here and there and really don't see any benefit to having one. Arguments about how freewheels seize up in the cold winter temps or that it helps you work on your pedal stroke just don't do it for me.

Singlespeeds I get. Fixies I don't.
I haven't actually tried it myself, maybe I would hate it too. For me though it has to do with a passion for all things bike. There's something very classic and classy about the fixie, and I know lots of people love it.

And they're pretty...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/

[Trevize1138]

If I wanted to really go retro early 1900s racing bike I could go tubeless.

And, by tubeless I mean a tire that's just solid rubber all the way through with no hollow area! :shocked:
Then I'd have to get the wooden rims to match ...

[noise_is_life]

If I wanted to really go retro early 1900s racing bike I could go tubeless.

And, by tubeless I mean a tire that's just solid rubber all the way through with no hollow area! :shocked:
Then I'd have to get the wooden rims to match ...
Nah, they already had pneumatic tires by 1900, but you could go with sew-ups.

[manual63]

You're the one that said he needs a flip flop hub. :)The flip flop hubs I have seen (BMX) allow for a freewheel on either side....no fixies.

I would like it just so I could have two options.

[KleinCrazy]

The flip flop hubs I have seen (BMX) allow for a freewheel on either side....no fixies.

I would like it just so I could have two options.
Surly Flip Flop hubs, along with White, Paul, and a few others, are built for freewheel on one side, Fixie or Freewheel on the other.

[Trevize1138]

So, I took my bike over to Sunrise Cyclery (on the 3000 block of 2nd Ave S in Minneapolis, just a quick stop off the Lake St. exit!) and asked Jamie about the possibilities for converting that LeTour frame into a single. He said it wouldn't be difficult, particularly because I had semi-vertical dropouts, meaning they were almost horizontal. He did recommend a bolt-on rear axle, though, as the QR would probably slip with the torque of singlespeed riding.

I also had him help me finally fit the bike for me! That made a huge difference. I took it for about a 30 mile ride down along the greenway out to 169 then north toward Cedar Lake Trail to downtown then back the same way I came. Actually started drafting off one of the road riders out there and struck up a conversation. Amazing, isn't it, a friendly road rider! No, seriously, he was REAL.

Anyway, I actually have my bars a good inch or inch and a half below my saddle, the saddle is flat and I didn't have really any problems with "junk" getting smashed. These road bikes seem to be set up with the right angles to prevent that. The saddle I was using was a cheap, 10-year-old Schwinn that originally came on my High Sierra SS MTB back in '94. It's got some pretty stiff cusioning, so it seemed to support pretty well.

Also, I determined that Pat was right about the gears thing: it is pretty nice having 'em for the roadie, particularly because after an hour of riding my legs were nice and warmed-up and I was ready for a higher gear. Jamie told me on the other hand that a singlespeed is good for training you not to rely on simply shifting into an easier gear, forcing you to spin.

So, I'm pretty pleased. The road bike is finally comfortable and it seems to clip along pretty fast considering its age, weight (you should feel that rear wheel!) and crappy componentry (low-end Suntour Blaze, baby!). :banana:

[corey]

I'm in the middle of doing the same thing to an old Fuji, that I have. It had all the same Suntour components on it. I have a Suzue flip flop hub. Fixed on one side and freewheel on the other, and I've got a 36 tooth chainring for the front, and that's as far as I've gotten. I need to build the rear wheel and and figure out how everything is going to be set up. I know how I want it done, I just don't know how to go about doing it. What kind of hours does Sunrise Cyclrey have?

[cockleburr]

On the cheap, you can convert the OE(original equipment) freewheel to a SS. Reed and I have done this to at least 100+ freewheels. You need a few extra cog spacers to replace the cogs that come off. Cassette spacers will not work they are not the same size as freewheel spacers, so you will need to find those. Then you do not have to buy a BMX freewheel, flip the axle or redish the wheel. Sometimes the redish will put more stress on the old spokes which leads to broken spokes which leads to new wheel. Not to say the wheel is already stressed out and ready to let go.
As far as a bolt-on vs QR. Bolt-on for fixed is the ONLY way to go. The QR should work fine for ss. It was what was on there in the first place, and the wheel never pulled out before did it?

A new good quality bolt-on F/F wheel (suzue hub,MA-3 or M13II rim,ss spokes) with freewheel and fixed cog, should run around $135-140.

[stoneage]

A lot of people train in the spring on fixies. They tend to help with muscle memory and improve your spin, as there is always a load on the system. No matter how efficient your pedal stroke is, you lose some effort just because you have a freewheel in the system. And, if you've ever had your BMX pawls stick in 5-10° weather, you will learn to love your fixie.


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