Got around to converting my Fuji Folder to singlespeed. I still need a new crankset. Running on the 28T chainring haha, and 16T ACS Crossfire Pro freewheel. It feels like a 26" BMX. I can hillclimb very easily, but I need more top end speed. I'd be fine with a 32-34T chainring.
It's still kinda heavy at 29bs...might swap out the stock handlebar and seatpost. Too poor for anything else.
Singlespeed is not fixed gear. Singlespeed means you can coast because it uses a freewheel. Fixed gear means the bike only moves if your legs move, no freewheel.
I have no problems going up hills on singlespeed. I race other geared bikers up hill all the time and I think I'm hella fast. I've raced the rail transit here and on my last singlespeed bike I could keep up the same speed! For me it feels like with gears, you lose speed once you hit an incline and have to do more work to get over it. I haven't rode an expensive geared bike, so not sure if they are any different.
The tires may be thick, but they are flat down the middle. The contact patch is roughly the same as a 700c tire, but you can say it has a little more cushion and stability.
Got around to converting my Fuji Folder to singlespeed. I still need a new crankset. Running on the 28T chainring haha, and 16T ACS Crossfire Pro freewheel. It feels like a 26" BMX. I can hillclimb very easily, but I need more top end speed. I'd be fine with a 32-34T chainring.
It's still kinda heavy at 29bs...might swap out the stock handlebar and seatpost. Too poor for anything else.
I'm amazed you were able to get your chain tension correct. Saw one like this yesterday and the guy had a derailleur unhooked to take up chain tension. This is why track bikes and single speeds have the rear chain stays exiting out the back. There are spring loaded chain tension wheels you can buy after market.
I would be careful after you get strong that the chain does not fly off on out of the saddle sprints. Normally the rider goes over the bars face first in this scenario.
The chain line is straight and I've tested it out on hills already. The dropout is the same shape as my last road bike, which was singlespeed to begin with, so I knew it would be a similar in setup.
If you have to use a derailleur on a conversion, the chain line is most likely not straight. That's probably OK if you don't go full speed on it, or jump off curbs.
Speaking of flying off. Before this when the bike had gears, I was pedaling uphill while standing and the derailleur/gear slipped causing my foot to go forward and the bike was wiggling left and right like a fish out of water! Almost smashed my nuts, but thankfully the top tube only hit my inner thigh. I had to brake with my feet while trying to hold the handlebars up.
I wasn't sure of the correct action. Letting go of the bike would be dangerous not only for me, but for cars in the area. Trying to reach for the brake levers wasn't really on my mind after almost hitting my nuts. That is why I choose singlespeed.
Also I found this funny article about singlespeed riders. Can't say it's true, because I'm a very calm person as biking helps me relax. If I don't bike, I stress out, get gray hairs, and wake up late... http://reviews.mtbr.com/singlespeeds-are-for-angry-people
I have a single speed and it has it's benefits. My old bike had the chain fly off while in the process of a hill sprint. I went over the bars and landed sunglasses first. Still it was because the derailer was out of adjustment. The chain flew off my single speed once too but I feel it was due to frame flex as I was really on it.
If you think about it the same accident could happen if a chain breaks too. Never had that happen though.
Got around to converting my Fuji Folder to singlespeed. I still need a new crankset. Running on the 28T chainring haha, and 16T ACS Crossfire Pro freewheel. It feels like a 26" BMX. I can hillclimb very easily, but I need more top end speed. I'd be fine with a 32-34T chainring.
It's still kinda heavy at 29bs...might swap out the stock handlebar and seatpost. Too poor for anything else.
I know the differences between a fixed gear and a free wheel... fixed gears are usually single speed.. hence why i asked.. lol
I've heard good things about fixed gear, something to do with better momentum... not entirely sure how the science works... maybe the same idea as with clipless pedals?
Well where i live i doubt "i" could use a single speed because the hills are so steep and long.. if i stayed in the same gear when going my normal speed when i'm on flat ground and try to climb some hills here, i would have to get off my bike and walk up. Actually i had a single speed stunt bike when i was a kid and i could never make it up those hills no matter how fast i got going... that had puny tires too.
I got a chance to test my top speed with the current 28T/16T gearing with a speed detector that normally monitors cars. Was only able to hit 18MPH with the current gearing. That's OK I guess, but I'd be comfortable being able to max out at around 25MPH.
With such a high max speed, shouldn't your average speed be higher?
Angry? I'm on a temporary gear setup. I'll change it soon. This is my commute bike, so not like I could maintain such a high speed with so many stop lights.
Oh I guess I wasn't angry enough. Should have taken a picture, but it was one of these solar powered signs.
It was on flat ground. Gave it a few tries to try and beat 18MPH, but I couldn't do it. When I swap the chainring out, I'll go back there and do another test.
Oh I guess I wasn't angry enough. Should have taken a picture, but it was one of these solar powered signs.
It was on flat ground. Gave it a few tries to try and beat 18MPH, but I couldn't do it. When I swap the chainring out, I'll go back there and do another test.
I own many, but 3 years ago on a walk I encountered this abandoned in a creek. Aluminum Reebok (Yeah they make bikes too) 24 inch kids bike. What I saw was a holy zhit! triangulated and gusseted frame and well the game was on. I do not lack for parts so off to Dr Frankensteins lab for velos we go. 26 inch rims off a long discarded Miele attempt at an MTB, Steel 48 tooth chainring with the inner 38 and 18 rings cut off. Sakae pedals from some unknown donor road bike. Shimano vbrakes with the rear cobbled up to get the extra reach from the 24 to 26 rim change. Felt stem. Solid front forks from a Gary Fisher that had the gall to crack its rear dropouts (Fisher, you suck!) Rear cassette from a 5 speed road bike the second cog is used as it aligns perfectly with the crank. Fizik Zeak seat, arguably the best combination seat for this kind of work, it's hard to find a riding position that is not comfortable on it.
End result, one lighweight all terrain all weather, ultra short wheelbase fun machine. That beautiful paint job is actually the faded cinnamon of the original not primer as many a neophyte is prone to think at first sight. Put 60 or 70 lbs pressure in the tires and you have one extremely fast and maneouverable street terror. Drop the pressure down and a trail bike par excellence, light enough to jump just about anything and wont kill you on any but the steepest climbs.
Of the dozen bikes I have ready to go this critter became the go to for just about everything but the longest rides. The looks of horror and disdain are worth it alone. Except for the one tatooed and geared kid on the V10. When his buddy said "man look at that no gears, no suspension, and its beat to zhit" The V10 pilot just gives him the look and says "No, dude, that F'n hardcore".
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