Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

Best Black Friday E-Bike Deals 2024 | Up to $1,700 in Savings

New: Take Part in the November Giveaway: Starts November 18th


Help with single-speed conversion! 1986 Schwinn Traveler
#1
I have a 1986 Schwinn Traveler, and I've made it into a single-speed by using the parts on the bike itself. I shortened the chain, got rid of the shifting components, and just kept the rear cassette. I know that is not the best way of doing it, but that was my only option at the time.

I was wondering the most cost effective way to do it the right way. I don't want to re-spoke my rear wheel because I have no experience with that. My question is since the front wheel isn't flattened on one side like the back is, could I just buy another front wheel, and then put a single-speed freewheel cog on it? Again I have no idea what I'm talking about, that's why I am posting this on here. Anything will help.
  Reply
#2
(06-13-2011, 01:40 PM)Macintosh. Wrote:  ....My question is since the front wheel isn't flattened on one side like the back is, could I just buy another front wheel, and then put a single-speed freewheel cog on it? .....
no

the "best" solution is to get a fixie rear wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-Weinmann-LP18-Rear/dp/B0040DPG66/ref=sr_1_14?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1307991976&sr=1-14
the above link is for an ISO 630 (27") wheel. The following link is for an ISO 622 (700c) wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-Weinmann-LP18-Rear/dp/B00418U8OA/ref=sr_1_12?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1307991976&sr=1-12
Nigel
  Reply
#3
Your front wheel does not need changing. The rear wheel maybe a freewheel not a cassette. Its a Maillard IIRC, though to get tools.

If its Cassette than new wheel is the easiest option. If freewheel, then I have seen single sprocket conversions that screw on sprockets that use a lock nut to hold in place.
Read info on Sheldons site.

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

http://www.bikeman.com/Single_Speed_Store_Single-Speed_Freewheels.html

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CS708B12-Shimano+Dx+Single+Speed+Freewheel.aspx

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1986Ltwt31.html
Never Give Up!!!
  Reply
#4
I do like the first like that you gave me about the Weinmann 27" wheel, is there one that I could find off eBay?



(06-13-2011, 03:08 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  
(06-13-2011, 01:40 PM)Macintosh. Wrote:  ....My question is since the front wheel isn't flattened on one side like the back is, could I just buy another front wheel, and then put a single-speed freewheel cog on it? .....
no

the "best" solution is to get a fixie rear wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-Weinmann-LP18-Rear/dp/B0040DPG66/ref=sr_1_14?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1307991976&sr=1-14
the above link is for an ISO 630 (27") wheel. The following link is for an ISO 622 (700c) wheel.
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Master-Weinmann-LP18-Rear/dp/B00418U8OA/ref=sr_1_12?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1307991976&sr=1-12
  Reply
#5
ebay - maybe; but most of the time, if Amazon has it, it is cheaper on Amazon than ebay.
Nigel
  Reply
#6
Definitely better from Amazon too, sorry that's just my own personal opinion!
Good maintenance to your Bike, can make it like the wheels are, true and smooth!
  Reply
#7
If you are doing a single speed freewheel you don't really need to change the wheel. What you can do is:
- swap out the multi-speed freewheel for a single speed freewheel
- if needed, respace the axle to get the right chainline
- "re-dish" the wheel to make the rim centered. this will remove the "flattening" on one side you refer to and make the wheel stronger.

If you want a fix gear, you really should get a wheel with a hub made for that as they are different.
  Reply
#8
(06-14-2011, 01:44 PM)DaveM Wrote:  If you are doing a single speed freewheel you don't really need to change the wheel. What you can do is:
- swap out the multi-speed freewheel for a single speed freewheel
- if needed, respace the axle to get the right chainline
- "re-dish" the wheel to make the rim centered. this will remove the "flattening" on one side you refer to and make the wheel stronger.

If you want a fix gear, you really should get a wheel with a hub made for that as they are different.

This is what I want to do, but I have no idea how to re-dish the spokes on a wheel whatsoever.
  Reply
#9
re-dishing is no more difficult than truing. There's a lot of good resources out there about this. (http://bikeride.com/wheel-truing/)

But if you don't want to get in to all that, buy a wheel Smile
  Reply
#10
(06-14-2011, 02:36 PM)DaveM Wrote:  re-dishing is no more difficult than truing. There's a lot of good resources out there about this. (http://bikeride.com/wheel-truing/)

But if you don't want to get in to all that, buy a wheel Smile

Alright, I guess I'll have to do some research. I'm just kind of tight on money right now, and don't want to spend $60+ to buy a new wheel!
  Reply
#11
Can also just ride it as-is. It won't hurt anything.

Maybe get a spoke wrench and practice truing your wheels a little before you try to re-dish.

Note you would also probably need 1-2 cone wrenches to re-space the axle and a freewheel removal tool to get off the old freewheel. None of these are hard jobs, but you do need to know some stuff to do it.
  Reply
#12
(06-14-2011, 08:00 PM)DaveM Wrote:  Can also just ride it as-is. It won't hurt anything.

Maybe get a spoke wrench and practice truing your wheels a little before you try to re-dish.

Note you would also probably need 1-2 cone wrenches to re-space the axle and a freewheel removal tool to get off the old freewheel. None of these are hard jobs, but you do need to know some stuff to do it.

I ended up just taking it down to one of the local bike shops and they did a re-dish on the rear wheel for $15, and got a single-speed freewheel for $10. Definitely cheaper than buying a new rear wheel.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
24,256
09-20-2013, 05:07 AM
Last Post: MorganIRL
 
27,302
07-10-2011, 11:34 AM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
11,085
01-06-2011, 01:41 PM
Last Post: DaveM
 
19,676
12-20-2010, 01:44 PM
Last Post: DaveM
 
43,903
06-21-2010, 09:17 AM
Last Post: xerxes
 
12,558
01-05-2010, 11:00 PM
Last Post: Alex Ramon
 
18,285
08-17-2009, 03:29 AM
Last Post: DaveM

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Moving in Style: Beyond Regular Transpor...
Today 09:23 PM
Tire Sizing (Or How to Buy A Tire)
Today 12:36 PM
The Roaming Radrunner Vlog 1 Why ride ...
Today 09:17 AM
Recording Bike Rides
Yesterday 01:37 AM
Ketone Ester $$$
11-19-2024 01:04 AM
Trek domane tyre
11-18-2024 01:58 PM
Old fossil buys Ebike
11-17-2024 06:39 AM
Bike bus
11-17-2024 12:14 AM
Second wheelset for ebike.
11-16-2024 08:20 PM
Humber "Eiffel Safety" bike 1800s
11-16-2024 03:05 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Jesper
22 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
19 posts
no avatar 3. GirishH
14 posts
no avatar 4. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts
no avatar 5. Flowrider
11 posts