Single Speed Conversion

Wallace1492
Wallace1492 Posts: 3,707
edited January 2011 in The workshop
I have an old Raleigh Elan (circa 1988) and thinking of converting it to a singlespeed.
Anything I need to consider or is it pretty straight forward?

Also any estiamate of cost would be appreciated.
"Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"

Comments

  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    not sure if this is the right kit for your bike but as it's very cheap i may as well bring it to your attention...

    http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/SKOOSSKK/on-one ... t-sprocket
    Hat + Beard
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    Rear spacing:

    120mm for track wheels.
    Horizontal droputs are essential - or get track fork ends brazed in.
    Get correct BB and chainset combo for a 42mm chainline with 120mm rear spacing.

    Costs - cheap kit/some secondhand stuff; about £100 to sort.

    Required:
    Chainset and BB
    Wheels
    Sprocket
    Single speed convertor (if you keep a vertical dropout).....I think they look wrong though.....

    You can use to old Raleigh chainset and remove the inner ring, but they are utterly cr@p and usually cottered/seized - I found it better for maint to get a new BB and chainset and I got an exact chainline (no horrible noises as I rode away!)

    To be honest - I would go with a lighter frame than the Elan. Weight is a consideration with fixie/ss builds. I think they are Reynolds 501....okay, basic tubeset. Bit on the heavy/tough side.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    gtvlusso wrote:
    Horizontal droputs are essential

    only for a fixed hub bike.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,717
    An Elan will almost certainly have horizontal dropouts and will definitely have a freewheel. Unscrew the multi-speed freewheel and put on a singlespeed one, and take off the outer chainring. You'll probably be able to get a decent chainline by using the current inner chainring in the inner position (assuming a double chainset), possibly with a spacer or two between the ring and spider.

    If you can be bothered, you can either respace and redish the rear wheel to make the chainline perfect (may require new spokes depending on how severe the dishing is) or buy a new track rear wheel and respace it to 126mm (which the Elan almost certainly is, buy you'll have to check). If you keep the current rear wheel and it currently uses a QR, you may or may not want to replace it with a nutted axle for a bit of extra wheel security.

    Minimum cost (assuming the chainline's ok with the current rear wheel) ~ £10 for a new freewheel
    Maximum cost - Sky's the limit.

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