Single speeder's: Help Needed...

[Dino Brown]

A friend is considering converting one of his bikes into a single speed. He does not want to spend a lot of money.

1) Any opinions (good/bad) regarding the FORTE Conversion Kit? For $20, it seems to come with everything one would need! http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

2) I have seen kits ranging from $20- $125.

3) Any information (i.e. chains, spacers, tensioner) would be most appreciated!

Forte' Single Speed Conversion Kit

[PacMan]

I used the Forte kit when I built my first SS on a frame with verticle drop-outs. It works great. It is truly a bargain. Now that I have a frame with horizontal drop-outs, I don't use the tensioner, but I'm still using the 20 tooth cog and the spacers.

For $20, you CAN NOT go wrong.

[genusmtbkr5]

It's a very inexpensive way to build a SS, if he likes it he can always upgrade to a better tensioner like Surly and better cogs like Chris King

[Dino Brown]

Gracias!

[Abui]

The cogs have a thin base so an Aluminum freehub will wear fast.
Get a cheap-strong BMX chain.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Caveman

The cogs have a thin base so an Aluminum freehub will wear fast.
Get a cheap-strong BMX chain.

Yep. If he has a nice rear hub (Al body) those chainrings will slice into it like buttah. Get a surly cog.

[2wheel_lee]

Dino,
I have a brand new Surly Singulator that I'll sell for $25 ($37 at Jenson). I may have a new Surly 18T cog, but I'm not sure if I still have that - I need to look.

For spacers, I've read where people use cut PVC pipe.

Lee

[Dino Brown]

Thanks Lee! Will forward the info to my friend!

[Pain Freak]

Single speeder's: Help Needed...

Dino, ALL ss'ers need help.

[1FG rider]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Single speeder's: Help Needed...

Dino, ALL ss'ers need help.

[KonaDupee]

Hmn....Dino says he has a "friend" that is considering converting to SS...

No need to be ashamed, Mr. Mayor. Come over to the SS side!

All the fun, twice the pain & a fraction of the mechanical headaches!

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by KonaDupee

Hmn....Dino says he has a "friend" that is considering converting to SS...
No need to be ashamed, Mr. Mayor. Come over to the SS side!
All the fun, twice the pain & a fraction of the mechanical headaches!

Andy Rut, Gene, Hugh, 2 Wheel Lee, Singletrakk, Shinken (and a host of others) should back me up on this one...... a singles speed (IS) going to happen!!!!
Been talking about it for quite some time. Need to finish a FR bike first!

First test on that single speed.... BIG RED!!!! Will Ya' Join me?

Konadupee and Bandman After Conquering Big Red!

[bjammin]

Where is "BigRed"? After nearly barfing a lung at the Sladnas ride, I'd like to regurgitate the other lung on that hill!

[Dino Brown]

Peter's Canyon! Not the "most fun" you can have on two wheels! Steep! Legs burn! Even if you are doing well, there always seem to be a few spots that make you spin your rear tire. Not fun at all.

Directions: http://www.goodtime.net/tus/lotus001.htm

[KonaDupee]

Originally Posted by Dino Brown

Andy Rut, Gene, Hugh, 2 Wheel Lee, Singletrakk, Shinken (and a host of others) should back me up on this one...... a singles speed (IS) going to happen!!!!
Been talking about it for quite some time. Need to finish a FR bike first!

First test on that single speed.... BIG RED!!!! Will Ya' Join me?

Konadupee and Bandman After Conquering Big Red!

Just say when & where!

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by KonaDupee

Just say when & where!

When? A few days AFTER I build the single speed. (Spring?)
Where? You know where! I'll meet you at the bottom of the hill.

[bikeadict]

+1 on the PVC spacers if you want to get into it cheap. And I'd advice a non spring tensioner (i.e. DMR sts chain tensioner)
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ls.php?id=9754
or a Rennen Rollenlager if you really wanna spend some doe.
http://www.downcycles.com/store/renn...ger-p-325.html

I just think the bolt ons work better than anything spring acutated. It allows you to set your own tension and you don't have to worry about a spring failing and leaving you high and dry.

Also +1 on wide based cogs (i.e. surly, endless, chris king, niner, boone (if you've got the $$$), etc) Maybe once you (or your friend) figures out which tooth count you'll run.

[BandMan]

[El Prieto]

Dino,
The best way not to spend money on a single speed conversion kit is to set your bike in one gear, and if after that your friend can deal with the burning then spend the twenty.. my opinion...........