October 9th, 2006
Jasonawi

Tooltime:
DIY Singlespeed Conversion

I am actually trying to build a singlespeed. I have a old LX 7 speed cassette hub and looking to convert it to a single speed by having only one single sprocket left and a bunch of spacers to fill in the other parts so i can secure the chain line.

There is another way but im not too keen on it and only try it when i have no other choice. Besides using the spacers i have to find a pvc pipe a size that'll fit correctly into the hub and cut it to make sure the chain line is correct.

The dropout on my frame is like this.

(Some of the suggestions offered in the Fakawi TribalTalk forum included the Fibonacci spacers and the On*One kit)

Fibonacci Spacers

On*One SS Kit

Here's how i did the DIY single speed conversion for the rear. Went to some LBS got myself 2 old rotten cassettes and dismantled them. Some are attached with a small bolt that you can just remove them. By doing that you will get the spacers in between the cogs.

one old Shimano 7spd and another Sunrace cassette

the spacers harvested from the old cogs

After taking apart the cassettes, i took one 18t cog and two 26t cogs aside for the rear gear. Grinded away the 26t cogs tooth so it became like a disc. (used a borrowed Bosch hand-held grinder for this).

Now to fix all of then into the rear Shimano DeoreLX hub.
1) Place the spacers
2) Place one grinded 26t
3) Place one spacer and then the 18t cog
4) Place the other grinded 26t
5) Add remaining spacers and lock it with the lock ring.

Here is what it looks like on the bike with the chain in it.

If you are wondering why i placed the disc, it is to make sure that the chain stays where it should be. Imagine climbing with ones of these and the chain comes off. I'll be landing my jaw hard on the stem. I got the idea from Travis Brown's Trek SS race bike. He has one too but i think its carbon fibre ones.

:: more stuff inthe Fakawi TribalTalk Forum

-Jasonawi