I found a really messed up bike.

WookieeForLife · #1 09-12-2009, 09:22 AM

It is a mountain bike and i'm wondeing, since the gears are all messed up, can i transfer it to a single gear bike? Kind of like a BMX bikes chain system.

Thunderscreech · #2 09-12-2009, 09:24 AM

Short answer, yes.

WookieeForLife · #3 09-12-2009, 09:53 AM

I'll have to buy diffrent sprotkets? (I can't spell today) And the golden question....... price? I don't even know what site to go to for this.

Thunderscreech · #4 09-12-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

I'll have to buy diffrent sprotkets? (I can't spell today) And the golden question....... price? I don't even know what site to go to for this.

Google bike crank sets. or go to Shimano's website.

You could also go to you local bike store and talk to them.

doctorjazz · #5 09-12-2009, 10:04 AM

www.sheldonbrown.com

This website will be your best source for information. Check the fixed gear/singlespeed section.

WookieeForLife · #6 09-12-2009, 10:05 AM

Thanks, I didn't know the term to google but you helped me alot, so thanks!

WookieeForLife · #7 09-12-2009, 10:07 AM

The pedal part of it is fine, its just the one on the back wheel and the arm that changes gears, but i want a single speed bike, so I want to convert it.

bassteban · #8 09-12-2009, 10:10 AM

Pics.

WookieeForLife · #9 09-12-2009, 10:10 AM

I found what im looking for. It's called a cassette.

WookieeForLife · #10 09-12-2009, 10:11 AM

Pics come tomarro, cause I have a party to go to now, and work till 11. But tomarro is a work on the bikes day.

L-A · #11 09-12-2009, 10:13 AM

You have a cassette, it's part of the hub. You're looking for a singlespeed cog. You can also do the conversion with two of your actual cogs, and a PVC pipe.

First, look up how to disassemble the cassette.

WookieeForLife · #12 09-12-2009, 10:17 AM

Take in mind, this is a Roadster from Wally World. I think the make is Schwinn.

WookieeForLife · #13 09-12-2009, 10:22 AM

I just went outside to look at it and i relized I used my tire from that bike on another, so I'm going to have to buy a new tire and the thing on the back where the chain hooks onto it.

fdeck · #14 09-12-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

Take in mind, this is a Roadster from Wally World. I think the make is Schwinn.

Schwinn is a brand. They don't make bikes. I personally doubt that this bike is worth putting any amount of money into.

bassteban · #15 09-12-2009, 10:36 AM

Keep in mind an old beatup bike can be like an old beatup piano; it may require far more time, effort & money than it is worth to fix.

Otter · #16 09-12-2009, 11:12 AM

Also,

You need to replace the chain, front chain ring and back sprocket at the same time. The drive train will "wear" in together. Replacing only a single part can lead to issues like the chain slipping under torque.

YMMV.

Otter.

bassteban · #17 09-12-2009, 11:34 AM

*And if you have vertical dropouts you'll need to add a chain tensioner- unless the gear ratio you choose/stumble upon happens to make for just the right chain length
*And, given that this bike is *really messed up* you might want to ask how it got that way; a totalled wheel could mean the bike took a hit hard enough to bend the fram or fork
*And how well does it fit? A slightly small frame is no biggie for casual cruising but too large can be dangerous &/or bad for your joints(overextension)
*And- on 'dangerous'- how are the brakes? It's *only a bicycle* but you might find yourself flying down a hill in traffic one day, heading for a busy intersection; it would be prudent to have answered this question before the bottom of said hill
NOT trying to be discouraging here, just raising pertinent questions.

My name is Mudd · #18 09-12-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L-A

First, look up how to disassemble the cassette.

I'll bet a cookie that the cassette is one of the low-end ones that are riveted together, rather than the higher-end bolted-together (and easily disassembled) type.

Converting a geared bike to a single usually costs about $75 or so (to start) plus labor - it may be more economically practical to just go buy a new cruiser.

Din Of Win · #19 09-12-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

*And if you have vertical dropouts you'll need to add a chain tensioner- unless the gear ratio you choose/stumble upon happens to make for just the right chain length
*And, given that this bike is *really messed up* you might want to ask how it got that way; a totalled wheel could mean the bike took a hit hard enough to bend the fram or fork
*And how well does it fit? A slightly small frame is no biggie for casual cruising but too large can be dangerous &/or bad for your joints(overextension)
*And- on 'dangerous'- how are the brakes? It's *only a bicycle* but you might find yourself flying down a hill in traffic one day, heading for a busy intersection; it would be prudent to have answered this question before the bottom of said hill
NOT trying to be discouraging here, just raising pertinent questions.

<---- my face at how long it took for someone to mention the dropouts.

That's the killer when wanting to SS/fix a mountain bike in general usually. For the price of a chain tensioner and new rear hub/wheel you could get a decent mountain bike off CL.

A singlespeed mountain bike is fun... but its novelty wore off pretty quick for me. I dunno why... i've been riding fixed/ss road and cross bikes for a good 15 years or so... but i like gears on a mountain bike. But i'm weird... i refuse to jump on the 29er bandwagon and i wont ride anything that's not hard tailed... so what do i know

just my .02 cents. I'm all for ANYONE getting on a bike a riding.

My name is Mudd · #20 09-12-2009, 06:26 PM

There's also the chain-line issue to worry about w/single conversions, especially with low-end stuff. Less gearing usually doesn't equal less expense in the big picture.