Wanting to convert an old GT Tempest to singlespeed...

robst3

Been meaning to do this for a while but keep coming to a dead end when trying to order parts.

Its a 2001 ish GT tempest mountain bike. Its got a 1 piece crankset with knackered chain rings and an 8 speed rear hub.

What do I need to buy to convert it to a single speed? As cheap as possible

cooldad

Just leave it in one cog and don't change gear.

The Rookie

To do a real single speed...
SS conversion kit for the freehub with sprocket and chain tensioner (can butcher an old rear mech).
Remove front and rear mechs, cables and shifters, remove granny ring, if you want to remove the big ring at the front you'll need SS chainring bolts or a thin bash.
Resize chain to suite.

robst3

Sorry should have expanded slightly in first post.
Shifters are knackered as are the chainrings on the one piece chainset hence looking to swap to singlespeed.

I want to replace the one-piece chainset with a single speed item, but not sure what will fit.

I will go with the SS conversion kit on the rear - thanks.

The Rookie

Replace one piece chainset (99.9% certainty it's square taper) with either a single specific square taper or normal cranks with one ring and SS bolts on the same BB (if it's good), or get any crankset you like and fit a single ring, plenty of cranksets with BB's on ebay cheap (I've got 2 on there right now). My Daughter runs a latest Deore HT2, sold the rings (brand new so got back nearly half what she paid for the whole lot) and fitted a single ring and lightweight ally bash.