Converting mountain bike to fixed gear

GerryRyan · 12-10-2007 11:41AM #1

I've been looking into converting my mountain bike (Salcano, front suspension) to a fixed gear, or single speed.

Reasons:

I do alot of cycling around busy towns and Dublin (the odd day doing deliveries)
the few fixed gear that I've been on seem to take more abuse
less money is wasted on upkeep and repairs

Found this site earlier on

Obviously it's a big job (if it can be done).

What would I be looking at in terms of - Time, money, parts etc?
Looking for any input from someone who's converted or build their own.

Thanks in advance.

GerryRyan · 12-10-2007 11:49AM

Another question - how do I go about working out the gear ratios? Trial and error - or are there general recommendations for city riding ?

<edit> the bike I'm looking to convert - not the exact model, but close enough 419h9TV6UQL._AA280_.jpg

Morgan · 12-10-2007 11:56AM

You can't convert that frame into a fixed-gear since it doesn't have horizontal dropouts. You can convert it to a singlespeed easily enough, using a chain tensioner.

Here's how:
http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml#ssConversionsHowTo

Itsfixed · 12-10-2007 11:58AM

Well, first off, the chances are your mountain bike frame has a vertical dropouts as opposed to track or semi-horizontal dropouts, which makes tensioning the chain on a fixie or singlespeed much more difficult.

There is a neat solution but its quite expensive. The white industries ENO hub. check out this website for an explanation as to its virtues. Expensive, but good quality.

A cheaper solution is to just get the right length of chain without it being too tight or too loose, and this can be done using a half link.

Alternatively, as your pic shows, you can run a chain tensioner but this only works properly on a single speed rather than a fixed.

how much it will all cost depends on what approach you take, but particulary whether you use a singlespeed or fixed specific hub onto your rear wheel or buy one of those gizmos, such as a Surly Fixxer, to convert an existing MTB hub.

cheapest solution is something like an on-one singlespeed kit and a chain tensioner.

GerryRyan · 12-10-2007 12:07PM

Yeah, point taken. On second thoughts - I might just buy a cheapish (but good quality) frame and build it up - to spare me the hassle of wrecking my mountain bike.

I'll have a look into parts and prices. But is there much work in it after getting the saddle, wheels, chain etc ?

Morgan · 12-10-2007 12:09PM

The costs of buying everything separately quickly add up - unless you get bargains off eBay etc. It's often cheaper just to buy a complete bike. You can get complete fixed-gear road bikes for as little as €450.

GerryRyan · 12-10-2007 12:13PM

Morgan wrote: »

The costs of buying everything separately quickly add up - unless you get bargains off eBay etc. It's often quicker just to buy a complete bike. You can get complete fixed-gear road bikes for as little as €450.

True, but the initial price of parts will be worth the hassle-free days with a built fixed gear, and I get a lot more satisfaction out of building things myself (weird I know).

*off to trawl e-bay*

Converting mountain bike to fixed gear

Comments