Apart from a love of obscure wheat beers and a beard, what bits will I require to turn my old Bonty into a single speeder?
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singlespeed sprocket and chain tensioner, DMR do this but others are available
shorter chain
one chainring ..
thats all off the top of my head?!
Seggonssinglespeed sprocket and chain tensioner, DMR do this but others are available
shorter chain
one chainring ..
How does the single cog work on the cassette body? I would be willing to buy a chainset tbh. I want it to look the part.
How does the single cog work on the cassette body?
You get a kit with spacers and a single cog. You really don't need a single speed specific chainset, although a single speed specific ring is a good idea as the taller teeth could save your knackers one day. Just look for one with the same BCD as your existing chainset. Oh, and if you do keep your existing chainset you will need shorter chainring bolts.
You can get everything you need here:
http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/
.. or here
I would also change the flats to spds for ssing
Excellent. Thanks very much.
Meant to ask, what kind of ratio should I be looking to start out with? Im not going to be hitting any trail centres with it. Its just for perhaps a short commute/fannying about on.
budget circa £12 for the s/s sprocket kit... £15 will buy you a 34t FSA single chain ring from CRC... get a new chain too (i guess circa £10). the chain device will be anything from £15-£35 depending on what type you have.
don't forget the chain tool, crank puller, chain whip and cassette remover so you can do all the work yourself... shouldn't take more than an hour or two.
have fun!
the s/s sprockets are from memory 16t
chainrings will be anything from 32t (hilly) to 36t (flat riding)... i'm going 34t for my next ss project.
try riding around for a few days in middle chainring and middle sprocket and see how you get on.
many start with 32:16
depends on what type of riding you are doing
most of my ssing is on a 32:14 and rigid
undulating local off road rides with a little bit of tech thrown in
great for improving fitness
Again, thanks for the advice. Re; the chain does this have to be a specific size/width or can I cut my 9 spd kmc to fit.
32:16 is a good general purpose off road gear. You'll be surprised what you can tackle after a while. If you're mainly going to be commuting on the road on it, I'd look at much higher gearing though.
I bought a ss specific chain 18 months ago but have never used it - still waiting for my original chain off an old bike to go!
Okay, so I have a shopping list.
1. S/S converter kit from On One
2. 32t chainring
3. A sprung chain tensioner
The bits Im cloudy about are; the chain? What do I use? Can I use my 9 spd chain with the power link, or do I need a sturdier item.
Chainring bolts, I take it I will need shorter bolts for just the one ring?
Sorry about all the questions.
yes you will need shorter bolts, budget for £5-8. It is bodgeable with the right size washers/spacers (i used the steel inserts from a broken bashring once upon a time).
Oh and a 9 speed chain may have trouble sitting properly on the rear sprocket (depends which one you get iirc), 3/8" singlespeed chains or 6/7/8 speed chains are nice and cheap though and will happily sit on any chainring/cog combo.
BTW that frame is Gert Lush! 😀
Just the chain then? What do I use? Ta.
Ah 3/8' chain it is.
Fanks.
A nice wide base sprocket is a good idea especially on a Hope hub.
