chainline question

Nate said:

I've been riding with SS'ers a lot and have been thinking about changing
my bike to a SS, but am not sure of the best way. I have a 2004 Trek
8500 (27sp) with mavic crosslink wheels.

I came across a pretty good deal on a new philwood threaded freewheel
hub for around $80/shipped. Do you think I'll have any prblems with
chainline - should I just stick with the wheel that I have and use a cog
w/spacers, so I can adjust as needed?

I'm almost certain that bike has vertical dropouts, so there's really
only one good way to convert it to SS, viz.: the White Industries ENO
Eccentric hub. See: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/white-hubs

Otherwise you'll usually need a pulley-type chain tensioner, which is a
horrible mono-buttocked kludge, much less elegant and reliable than a
straight chain.

Quoted message said:

Also, what do I need to worry about if I decide to go with a rigid fork?

Global Warming; Halitosis; Weapons of Mass Destruction; Cholesterol;
Terrorism; Dental Plaque; Eternal Damnation; Erectile Dysfunction.

Sheldon "Also Worry About These With A Boinger Fork" Brown
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
| Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question |
| is an answer. --Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #208 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

Sheldon Brown said:

Nate said:

I've been riding with SS'ers a lot and have been thinking about
changing my bike to a SS, but am not sure of the best way. I have a
2004 Trek 8500 (27sp) with mavic crosslink wheels.

I came across a pretty good deal on a new philwood threaded
freewheel hub for around $80/shipped. Do you think I'll have any
prblems with chainline - should I just stick with the wheel that I
have and use a cog
w/spacers, so I can adjust as needed?

I'm almost certain that bike has vertical dropouts, so there's really
only one good way to convert it to SS, viz.: the White Industries ENO
Eccentric hub. See: http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/white-
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/white- hubs
Otherwise you'll usually need a pulley-type chain tensioner, which is a
horrible mono-buttocked kludge, much less elegant and reliable than a
straight chain.

Quoted message said:

Also, what do I need to worry about if I decide to go with a
rigid fork?

Global Warming; Halitosis; Weapons of Mass Destruction; Cholesterol;
Terrorism; Dental Plaque; Eternal Damnation; Erectile Dysfunction.
Sheldon "Also Worry About These With A Boinger Fork" Brown +-----------------------------------------------------------
+
| Sometimes the only thing more dangerous than a question | is an
| answer. --Ferengi Rule of Acquisition #208 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------
+ Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244- 9772 FAX 617-244-
1041 http://harriscyclery.com/http://harriscyclery.com Hard-to-find
parts shipped Worldwide http://captainbike.com/http://captainbike.com
http://sheldonbrown.com/http://sheldonbrown.com

Sheldon forgot to mention his fine article:

<http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html>

Not that I can pursuade you to change your mind, but there are some
purpose built single speed bicycles that come ready for the job, and
might cost less than the conversion.

Surly comes to mind:

<http://www.surlybikes.com/1X1.html>

I think there are dealers out there that put these together with
different levels of equipment to give you a nice package at a
reasonable price.

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