I have this El Mar that is the dedicated single speed model. At the minute its my only bike and I have the need for gears. I would like to make it into a 1x10. I know I'll need a new back wheel to take a cassette but not sure what I do up front? Do I just need a narrow/wide chainring? Any help or advice appreciated. Thanks
Yep, pretty much. The bolts you have on the chainset will be fine to be reused.
Looking at photos of the El Mariachi frame, will you need to be a new dropout? The SS one hasn't got a gear hanger.
Its got those Salsa drop outs that can be converted, can't remember the name now. I may need another piece though, I need to research that.
Or a hub gear like an Alfine!
Was thinking about a hub gear, just don't know about the expense
You need a new drive side alternator dropout with a gear hanger like [url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/salsa-alternator-dropouts--mech-hanger-2757-p.asp?variantid=4727 ]this[/url] and then you can push the dropout to its shortest position for short chainstays as the rear mech is doing chain tensioning duties
You'll need a new right dropout with a gear hanger. These are astonishingly expensive. Think triton cycles or Charlie have them. I don't think the ss specific frames had cable stops either so you'll need to lash a full outer to the frame with cable ties. Is it the white one with yellow and blue? They are lovely.
I had a SS one first. You can zip tie three cables to the downtube ones, on the seat stay get some stick on cable guides from ebay. I have some spares I could send you.
You'll need a new right dropout with a gear hanger. These are astonishingly expensive.
£25 or £30 IIRC from Charlie, it wasn't much more than I've paid for mech hangers in the past and it comes with all the bolts, ordered it on Saturday and it arrived on Monday.
As molgrips said, you'll need to add cable guides to the seatstay. Can't find any close ups of mine but the easiest way is to use a full length outer. Take some zip ties, tie the cable loosely to the frame. Then put a second (smallest you can get) zip tie around the first between the cable and frame. Tighten up the first and you get a neat cable, held away from the frame by a couple of mm. Just tie it to the brake hose under the downtube.
No idea about a front mech, I'm sure it's possible but I just went 1x10. 36-36 is still easier than singlespeeding!
[url= https://farm1.staticflickr.com/643/21415203760_012b602fdd_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm1.staticflickr.com/643/21415203760_012b602fdd_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/yCovZ3 ]2015-09-21_06-42-01[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/7614571@N05/ ]thisisnotaspoon[/url], on Flickr
Mine had gears, I just used a bolt on mech adapter. In fact, my geared frame came with the same adapter.
Thanks guys. Ordered the parts I need last night. Going 1x10. The only thing I couldn't find was the stick on cable guides
[url= http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-part/self-adhesive-cable-guides-pkt-3-ec039842 ]Cable guides @ Evans[/url]
[url= http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/m:part-self-adhesive-cable-guides-3m-pack-of-3-prod13059/ ]Cheaper @ SJS[/url]