I’ve just purchased a single speed and would like to change the rear gear to 5. I’ve only ever had mountain bikes before and I’m not familiar with this dropout. Could I just add a rear derailleur ear, extend the axle and widen the frame slightly (steel)?
by mike_wassup
4 Comments
No. Maybe an internal gear hub if the spacing works.
Claw type derailleurs exist but they’re low quality and not really made for this dropout type.
You can get a hanger for track dropouts: https://www.jensonusa.com/Problem-Solvers-Chain-Tensioner-WHanger
IMO, if you’re ready to cold set the frame and buy a new wheel anyway, an internal hub (like Shimano Alfine) would be my choice.
Not exactly what you’re contemplating but: you might be able to fit a 5-speed internal gear hub to that frame. It depends on the over-locknut spacing (O.L.D.). Some single speed frames have an O.L.D. of 120 mm, others 135. (O.L.D.is the spacing between the inside of one rear dropout and the other.)
Info on internal gear hubs: https://sheldonbrown.com/internal-gears.html. I am a big fan of these, and have converted several bikes, including single-speeds such as yours. Good luck!
The spacing is usually pretty narrow on single speed bikes. I installed a kick shift 2 speed on one of my bikes and it was available in the narrow spacing that 70s bikes had. The nice thing about a kick shift is that you don’t need a shifter, you just pedal backwards a bit and it shifts for you.
[https://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/detail/s2-black](https://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/detail/s2-black) *updating for the correct hub.