Help with single-speed conversion! 1986 Schwinn Traveler

[Macintosh.]

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.

[nfmisso]

(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

[GeorgeET]

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

[Macintosh.]

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

[nfmisso]

ebay - maybe; but most of the time, if Amazon has it, it is cheaper on Amazon than ebay.

[Bill]

Definitely better from Amazon too, sorry that's just my own personal opinion!

[DaveM]

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.

[Macintosh.]

(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.

[DaveM]

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

[Macintosh.]

(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

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!

[DaveM]

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.

[Macintosh.]

(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.