Help converting Hardtail to single speed.

[Lambda_drive]

I have all of the necessary parts to convert my Iron Horse into a Single Speed. I took off the dérailleurs and shifters, but after that I got a bit nervous, it turns out that I have no idea what I'm doing.

It would be great if someone could help me Convert my bike into a single speed. The main reasons why I want a single speed is because its very simple, its quite, to chain slap, clicking, and the main reason its much more durable than dérailleurs, plus I really hate adjusting dérailleurs.

[gooseaholic]

well herald you really need to think about it. You need more than one bike. Do you think you want to do a 25mile ride on a single speed? Not that you cant, but youre knees will be blown in no time.So for recovery you use a geared bike and spin.A single speed is cool but you need options.

[Pho'dUp]

This will get you started.

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

Btw, 32T chainring, and 20T cog (32:20) is a good place to start for most people doing any climbing.

[Lambda_drive]

Originally Posted by bighit8

well herald you really need to think about it. You need more than one bike. Do you think you want to do a 25mile ride on a single speed? Not that you cant, but youre knees will be blown in no time.So for recovery you use a geared bike and spin.A single speed is cool but you need options.

To start out I'm going to gear it a bit low, besides, I don't really ride many other trails besides the fully loop, I doubt I'll blow my knees riding the fully loop every now and then. Also my friend LAW decided to lay off biking for a while, He just upgraded to a Suzuki GSXR from a ninja 250, he's pretty much riding that now and doesn't have time to mountain bike anymore, so he agreed to let me use his bike if I need to. The great part is that he's my next door neighbor. So I can just pick up the bike and give it back when ever I need to.

[gooseaholic]

you need to explore new trails to really mountain bike.

[Lambda_drive]

Originally Posted by bighit8

you need to explore new trails to really mountain bike.

True, but I don't have a car, the fully loop is the closest trail to me. I usually just bike ride to it. The only other way I can get to some nicer trails is if I bum rides off of people, but I don't really like doing that, I don't like being a burden to people.

[gooseaholic]

Potato mtn on Thursday. I will pick you up, need to leave at 6:30 am. The ride is 25-30 miles.you want to go?

So yes you want to go? I can pick you up.

[Lambda_drive]

Originally Posted by bighit8

Potato mtn on Thursday. I will pick you up, need to leave at 6:30 am. The ride is 25-30 miles.you want to go?

Well, if your ok with it then sure, but here's the thing, I just took off my dérailleurs and shifters. I could put them back on, but the rear dérailleur is bent beyond repair. If I can get my bike converted before Thursday then all is well.

[gooseaholic]

you can use my bike again, i will ride my bighit!

[gooseaholic]

my other bike.

[Lambda_drive]

Did you say 6:30 am, sorry I've got class. I guess I can't make it.

[gooseaholic]

so do you want to go?????

Yea 6:30 am to make it to L.A by 8am.Lets do it bro.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by Lambda_drive

Well, if your ok with it then sure, but here's the thing, I just took off my dérailleurs and shifters. I could put them back on, but the rear dérailleur is bent beyond repair. If I can get my bike converted before Thursday then all is well.

Put your front derailleur back on and adjust the lower limit screw so it's over your middle ring.
Get a tensioner and shorten your chain to fit the 19/20/21 cog in your cassette.

[Lambda_drive]

Originally Posted by bighit8

so do you want to go?????

Yea 6:30 am to make it to L.A by 8am.Lets do it bro.

I'd like to go, but I can't miss class, I've already got a few questionable absences...

I looked at the potato mountain thread and it sounds like it's a pretty intense ride, The fully loop is hard enough for me as it is. I'm not even sure I'll be able to finish such a crazy trail.

[gooseaholic]

Hence the reason I said hold off on the single speed.If things change let me know and I can pick you up.

[northshore]

Lamda, I can get to the Fully on Thursday around 4:30ish. Possibly if Dino and Coleko can get there, I can bring my tools along and help you with the rest? Sorry I've been busy at work! What did you end up buying for the conversion?

[Lambda_drive]

Originally Posted by northshore

Lamda, I can get to the Fully on Thursday around 4:30ish. Possibly if Dino and Coleko can get there, I can bring my tools along and help you with the rest? Sorry I've been busy at work! What did you end up buying for the conversion?

I bought the Forte single speed kit from performance.

smaller crank screws.

PC-1 chain

I wasn't able to find an 18mm cone wrench though.

[autoduel]

Originally Posted by Lambda_drive

I bought the Forte single speed kit from performance.

smaller crank screws.

PC-1 chain

I wasn't able to find an 18mm cone wrench though.

I don't think you want to run a PC-1 chain unless you are running a single cog or taking your cassette apart. The wider chain will hang up on the adjacent cogs and want to ghost shift.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by autoduel

I don't think you want to run a PC-1 chain unless you are running a single cog or taking your cassette apart. The wider chain will hang up on the adjacent cogs and want to ghost shift.

Lambda will have to take that cassette off in order to run a 20t. Only problem, I don't have the adapter to remove the cassette

[Dino Brown]

What I think draws LAMBDA to single speeds would be the SIMPLICITY of them. Whenever he talks about them, the same words keep popping-up: simple, no more broken derailler hangers, no more adjustments, clean look etc. Like it or not, he has put MUCH thought into this decision.

Will there be a learning curve? YES! Will he suffer? Yes! Will I laugh at him when asking the question, "Soooo, how do you like SS now?" NO! Iron Horse owners never disrespect eachother!

Bottomline, the kid should be applauded for being bitten by the biking bug. Worst case secenario, he switches back!