Converting a Cove Stiffee to a SS

[TURNERob]

I know there are a lot of singlespeeders who know their stuff on this forum so I'm gonna as for your expertise. I have a Cove Stiffee hardtail frame that I want to turn into a SS. I want to do it as cheaply as possible and am not really willing to buy a new rear wheel since I'm not sure I will want to keep the bike a SS. I basically will have a 5" travel fork on it and have it set up for aggressive trail riding (hopefully) since the geometry of the frame is geared towards that and that's also my style of riding.

Is a Surly Singleator and a Gusset SS conversion kit just a bad way to go or what? I've even thought of keeping 3 rings in the front with a front der and just running a rear der for a tensioner.....would that work? Like I said I don't really want to spend money on expensive SS parts since this is just an experiment......if I end up really liking it then maybe later on I'll spend some cash on some better parts. Are there better options as far as rear cogs go that I could use on a regular 9spd hub wheel? Any other suggestions would be appreciated

 

[ShinKen]

ohh danng!! someone is turning to the darkside? lol

 

[FoShizzle]

i have no experience in converting a bike to single speed but yeah, easy.

NOTHING wrong with a chain tensioner as you mention. Tons of folks do it that way.

Just use your current rear wheel, put some spacers in, and use something cheap like a Surly cog. No need for a single speed specific hub at all.

You could use random cogs but for that, I wuold recommend you pay a few bucks for a single speed specific cog like the Surly (or Endless Bike Co.) since they are wide based and wont gouge the freehub body.

But yeah, easy to do and super cheap....few bucks, literally.

this is a great link that i learned a lot from too http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml

there is also single speed specific stuff from places like bikeman....but really nothing you cant do yourself

e.g.,
http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/SS/BTI-GU1810

or

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/SSCONV/BTI-SB0072

 

[Collette]

Do you know what gearing you're going with? I think that's the most important part of an SS build. I love my 32x20. You gonna throw the 540s on the bike?

 

[TURNERob]

Do you know what gearing you're going with? I think that's the most important part of an SS build. I love my 32x20. You gonna throw the 540s on the bike?

Not sure about gearing, looks like that Gusset kit only comes with a 16 and 18 tooth cog. No I won't be using the 540's on that bike, I have an older set of time pedals laying around I'll use.

FoShiz, thanks for that link.....gotta do some reading up there :read:

 

[dstepper]

What type of dropouts on that frame? You will be limited by the frame on how to get your chain tight.

Using your criteria “a cheaply as possible” just use the rear derailleur as a chain tensioner. Having a bailout gear on the front may not be a bad idea because you are not going to get a light SS out of that frame/fork. You can take apart a cassette to get the right rear cog and buy or make spacers. I have seen PVC pipe used as spacers. If that rear hub is aluminum, and you care about it, you may want wide based cogs.

To get the chain line right: leave a cog loose on the hub without spacers…without the derailleur and rotated the cranks, it will center itself …you will have measurements for your spacers.

Not to discourage you, but were SS rule is being light, quite, and no energy lose in the drive train. I am not sure that that setup will give you a good impression on SSing. But there again, it will be a fun bike; just not something to do all day rides on.

http://www.misfitpsycles.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/31/products_id/130

 

[TURNERob]

Thanks for the input Dean. This bike would not be ridden much and would just be for after work or solo rides at El Moro most likely. The frame isn't that heavy (4.8lbs) and with a 4lb fork on it I think I could get the bike around 25-26lbs or so......not terribly heavy. It has just been hanging in my garage forever now and I have enough spare parts to build it up so I figure why not try a SS or 3 speed. Just gonna work on it in my spare time....probably won't have it complete for awhile. Besides that I know I won't ride it too often as my back hurts when I ride a hardtail too much.

Would a Surly Singleator have enough movement and be able to take up enough chain slack if I ran 3 rings in the front or would I have to use a rear der as a tensioner?

 

[dstepper]

I my be wrong but I think most chain tensioners are not spring based...so my answer is no. You also want a tensioner that goes below the chain rather than pushing the chain down. I gives you better chain rap on the cog, that is important if you are using ramped cogs. The best place to find SS parts (cogs) are BMX websites....cheaper and wider selection of sizes.

If you plan to use a 32 tooth up front a 16 in the back it may be too much for El Moro. Come with us Wednesday in El Moro and try some climbs on Jose or mine 32X20, 29 inch wheeled bikes. Than would be the same as a 32x18 on a 26 inch wheeled bike.

 

[EndoMaster]

I have a Singleator and it seems to work fine although I've read otherwise on other forums. Then again I've only ridden the bike two times. I didn't use the Gusset kit but I did buy a spacer kit at the Path. It comes with a number of spacers in different widths so you can dial in your chainline perfectly; You will need a cassette lockring.

 

[FoShizzle]

or better yet....sell the Turner(s)......they are so 2005 and buy yourself a nice single speed

 

[Pho'dUp]

Would a Surly Singleator have enough movement and be able to take up enough chain slack if I ran 3 rings in the front or would I have to use a rear der as a tensioner?

I would save your money and forget the singleator. The springs in those things are pretty weak. It's real easy to over tension and break the spring. Just use an old rear derailleur. Especially if you're thinking of going 2X1 two rings up front. The surly won't be able to take up enough slack for the chain length you'll need to run at least 2 chainrings. You might have to put a longer low limit screw in there though.

Try some different ratios too. You might get lucky and not need the tensioner. 32:18 (or 34:20 ; or 33:21) have worked for lots of folks.

I agree about the wide Surly Cog. BMX cogs can cut into your cassette body.

Sounds like a fun project.

 

[TURNERob]

or better yet....sell the Turner(s)......they are so 2005 and buy yourself a nice single speed

You must have missed the "crashfest" thread.....single speed/rigids and hucking don't mix rotest: Besides, I have a road bike if I really feel like riding a rigid bike......which I never do so that's for sale Isn't it good to know that I don't own ALL Turner bikes though :wave:

Pho'd, thanks for the advice. Ideally I'd just like to try the Gusset kit and just use a 32:18 gear combo to start off with and if it proves to be too much then maybe I'll add a granny ring up front or get a 20 tooth gear for the back. I'm a fairly strong climber, but obviously a 32:18 is gonna be tough with a bike that heavy. I usually middle ring all of El Moro on my 31lb 5 Spot......but not sure about an 18 in the back. So I can buy just a 20 tooth gear that will work with the Gusset kit since I've had the Gusset kit laying around for quite some time? I also just remembered that I bought the Singleator back when I got the Gusset kit also....its been so long I forgot I bought both of them I'd like to save weight by not having to run a rear der as a tensioner.......ideally I'd like to just run no shifters or deraileurs at all to get it as light as possible.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

 

[FoShizzle]

Isn't it good to know that I don't own ALL Turner bikes though :wave:

phew!!! :clap: just kidding of course.....