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: sheldonbrown.comwhiteOpen ↗
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 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.comOpen ↗ Hard-to-find
parts shipped Worldwide captainbike.comcaptainbike.comOpen ↗
sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.comOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Sheldon Brown

BNate 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: sheldonbrown.comwhiteOpen ↗
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 harriscyclery.comharriscyclery.comOpen ↗ Hard-to-find
parts shipped Worldwide captainbike.comcaptainbike.comOpen ↗
sheldonbrown.comsheldonbrown.comOpen ↗ [/B]

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.