What’s going on, I’m brand new to the bike world and have almost no idea what I’m doing when it comes to building bikes. I bought this sucker for 50 bucks because I wanted to try something new and mountain biking seemed like a good time, plus building one out seemed dope and so far it’s been super fun. The purpose of this post is for guidance on what to do next to really enjoy this thing. My goal is to have something that I can just rip in that’s reliable on dirt and the road, I’m not doing anything insane (yet).
When I got this bike the gears were half missing and the chain was gone so I decided to go the single speed route because I assumed it would be the simplest and easiest to do, so I bought a chain, chain ring, cog, and tensioner online, and then a set of bike tools from Walmart and sort of figured it out? The tensioner sucks, (and actually broke on my ride just after I took this picture) and I’m just not sure if I’m moving in the right direction with this thing. I’m comfortable putting some money into this sucker I just don’t really know what to do first
So to summarize:
Is a single speed bike realistic? If not what gearing should I go for?
What should I look at replacing/upgrading next?
I appreciate y’all and any input that you have.
Besos
by Big_Demand_2756
4 Comments
Awesome. I have an 87 Schwinn MTB I converted to a single speed and I love it. Unless you have horizontal drop outs you don’t need that tensioner. I like single speed for durability and simplicity and sometimes it’s just more fun. White industries also makes an eccentric wheel hub that would allow you to tension the chain if you do have vertical drop outs. I couldn’t tell from this pic.
Nice! I built a High Plains step through for my wife. Those lugged frames are awesome and the lawyer clips on the front wheel are amusing.
Lovely. You can use an old rear derailleur as chain tensioner as well, yet maybe you don’t need that.
Drop bar plus 2.25 fat tyres may be fun!
sure singlespeed is realistic, but there are reasons gears are on 99% of bikes.
I’d buy a microshift advent set and just go rip around like that, then find what you want/ need. you’ll usually come back from a ride with ideas what youd like to change or aches you need to mitigate. before you know it you’ll be broke and happy with 4 rusty frames in your backyard.