single speed advice
World\'s Dump
Posts: 107
Hi guys
Little by little I'm converting my old Raleigh winner into a single speed (on the cheap). However I keep hitting on snags. I'm still quite a novice but it's a learning curve.
I wondered if anyone had any advice; I had the 6 speed cog removed by the nice man at Halfords and replaced with a 16t BMx freewheel:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165540
The original bottom bracket was shot to pieces so I had it replaced with a narrower bottom bracket axle so that hopefully the chain ring and rear freewheel will line up suitably. I had also bought a 44t single ring crank. I wondered if anybody can give me their opinions as to whether this will be successful from the attached pictures on flickr.
The next snag I encountered today was with the 408h chain I bought which I thought would be compatible. Only it refused to sit on the diamond back freewheel. Do I assume that the best chain to buy would be a bmx chain? The other snag is will a bmx chain sit comfortably on the new chain wheel? Or do I have to start all over again with a new rear wheel?
Hope you can help?
pictures as below:
Many thanks
Nick
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
Little by little I'm converting my old Raleigh winner into a single speed (on the cheap). However I keep hitting on snags. I'm still quite a novice but it's a learning curve.
I wondered if anyone had any advice; I had the 6 speed cog removed by the nice man at Halfords and replaced with a 16t BMx freewheel:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165540
The original bottom bracket was shot to pieces so I had it replaced with a narrower bottom bracket axle so that hopefully the chain ring and rear freewheel will line up suitably. I had also bought a 44t single ring crank. I wondered if anybody can give me their opinions as to whether this will be successful from the attached pictures on flickr.
The next snag I encountered today was with the 408h chain I bought which I thought would be compatible. Only it refused to sit on the diamond back freewheel. Do I assume that the best chain to buy would be a bmx chain? The other snag is will a bmx chain sit comfortably on the new chain wheel? Or do I have to start all over again with a new rear wheel?
Hope you can help?
pictures as below:
Many thanks
Nick
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37503331@N ... otostream/
0
Comments
-
It looks alright to me. The problem with the chain is almost certainly that you're using a 3/32" chain (for geared bikes, slightly narrower) and what you need is a 1/8" chain (for BMX/singlespeed/track bikes). Halfords sell 1/8" chains, or the KMC Z510 is my favourite cheap 1/8" chain (only about a fiver and they come with a reusable split-link for removing and reattaching the chain).
If you're interested in chainline (how the front and rear sprockets line up) and singlespeed in general, Sheldon Brown's website has all the info (as always).
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html0 -
thank you! That's really helpful and reassuring.
It's nice to have some clarity in a world of uncertainty!!0
