I was thinking of getting the nitromors out to rejuvenating an abused road bike and the thought occurred that I could turn it into a singlespeed as it's only used for commuting now. So how do I go about this? I probably need new wheels anyway as the braking surface is gone so could I use a proper single gear hub (the ones with the fixed gear one side and freewheel the other like the Halo Aerorage?) Or can you do it with a singlespeed kit like you would on an mtb and if so do you need a specific kit or will any work?

Many Thanks
Iain

The first important thing you need to sort out is what the dropouts are like. If they're vertical then you'll need a chain tensioner, if they're horizonal or angled then you should be fine. You could even get some new dropouts welded in.

After that you could choose either of the options you've mentioned, just make sure the hub is the right width and then be careful about picking the chainset. Track chainsets should see you right, will at hubjub will probably have what you want and charlie the bike monger is always a useful guy to speak to about singlespeeding things, as is Tim Sideways.

http://www.hubjub.co.uk/
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/
http://www.sidewayscycles.com/

The drop-outs are vertical so I was thinking of trying a halflink chain with the preferred ratio then using a tensioner if it wasn't the magic ratio (worked on an mtb once!) I was also hoping to use the existing chainset as buying a new one would negate the point of the project by pushing the cost way up. So from your response I'm assuming the chainline will be wrong using a track hub and a road chainset ruling that option out.

Iain

I've just done this using an mtb tensioner (not pretty but works) and an old 9 spd cassette for spacers etc. I broke down the old Sram cassette and used the sprockets/ spacers from there to sort out the chainline – must admit I did take up a lot of the space using half a Gusset spacer kit I had lying round. All works a treat!

Is it an old chainset? The newer ones will have ramped cogs making it a lot less likely the chain will stay in place. Chainline shouldn't be too bad though if you mount the ring on the outside. Otherwise using a singlespeed kit will sort you out fine.

I shot a brief YouTube how to convert movie a few years back.
Check the link and enjoy a younger less hairy me , and a beer.
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/page47.htm

Get a wheel built using a White Industries Eccentric ENO hub.

Thanks for the advice, I have a couple of old cassettes so I'll play about using the spacers between the cogs to see if I can get something to work. As this is something of a budget job the last suggestion might be out of my price range!

Iain