Cannondale Caad12 Conversion to single speed

orangesoul

Does anyone have any experience converting a road bike to single speed without it having sliding dropouts etc.

I've got a Caad12 disc that I want to run single as the used bike market would give me peanuts if I tried to sell it. I was hoping I could run an eccentric bb to tension the chain but advised by a shop that I cant as they don't make a bb30a eccentric bracket.

Has anyone used a chain tensioner to convert their bike? Any good experiences or am I wasting my time?

Matthewfalle

double post.

Matthewfalle

Have search on here - loads of people have done it using chain tensioners/those single speed converters you get for a tenner or so from Evans et al. .

I've done a few using cassette spacers (ie the ones between cogs in a cassette, not the tiny 1mm ones) to space out the cog on the back for chain line then you cut down the chain to length and fit - its a bit of a playing game as the chain can be marginally too long or slack (we're talking mm here) but you just change the back cog to suit - 1 tooth up or down).

Job jobbed. Should take a couple of hours of fine tinkering time to get it right and when its all sorted it works perfect.

Not sure what chainset you're using but with a normal one you just take off the ring you don't want and either fit single speed bolts or just space out the gap with some washers.

But as above, have a quick squiz around.

sparquin

https://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/ ... gle+speed+

Looks like everything you need!

Wheelspinner

I did almost exactly this with a CAAD something - a 7 I think. Fiddled with a bunch of different chainrings (43, 44, 45, 46, 48) and a variety of cogs from a disassembled 10sp cassette or two at the back to find the magic combo that was (a) rideable and (b) gave me a good chain tension.

IIRC I ended up on 46x15, which was fine on the flat roads I used it on, but a bit tough for hills. However the chain tension was ever so slightly loose and any attempt at a sprint had the chain jumping off. But provided I kept to a steady and smooth pedal stroke it was perfect. I never did bother with the half-link chain type as I think they're a different pitch to standard 10sp ones and would require new rings/cogs again.

I also ran a tensioner for a while which mostly cured the chain skip, but looked ugly.

It was a crazy light fast bike though as a single speed. I had Campag Record cranks/brakes, and some stupid light low profile carbon tubular wheels, carbon bars/stem/post etc, Speedplay titanium pedals, and finished ready to ride it was about 6.4 kg. Loads of fun

ugo.santalucia

Done it with a chain tensioner, works fine if you have a good match between sprocket and chain. I found that sprockets off cassettes work better than sprockets sold for single speed if you use standard chains (ie not 1/2 inch chains)

Incidentally I have a pair of disc wheels with rear Hope PRO 4 SS hub that I need to sell. While this hub is still a conversion, it has almost perfect tension balance, so it's a much better wheel for SS than other wheels.

Mavic tubeless rims, Sapim spokes...

proto

orangesoul wrote:

Does anyone have any experience converting a road bike to single speed without it having sliding dropouts etc.

I've got a Caad12 disc that I want to run single as the used bike market would give me peanuts if I tried to sell it. I was hoping I could run an eccentric bb to tension the chain but advised by a shop that I cant as they don't make a bb30a eccentric bracket.

What size is it? I’ve been looking for a 52cm
Caad12 disc at a good price.