Track bike to Single Speed - Questions

[pdonk]

As per another thread, I rode my track bike a few times on the road this year, and found I really enjoyed it. It got me thinking about converting it to a single speed next summer, once track season is over.

A few questions, can a freewheel fit on a standard track hub or do I need to find a 120 hub that is single speed specific? I understand that the thread is the same but that it may not engage as much, any concerns?

The rear is not drilled for brakes, anyone have experience with adapters such as https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...te_7alZLtmTlts

Other than being ugly, do they work?

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by pdonk

As per another thread, I rode my track bike a few times on the road this year, and found I really enjoyed it. It got me thinking about converting it to a single speed next summer, once track season is over.

A few questions, can a freewheel fit on a standard track hub or do I need to find a 120 hub that is single speed specific? I understand that the thread is the same but that it may not engage as much, any concerns?

The rear is not drilled for brakes, anyone have experience with adapters such as https://www.retro-gression.com/produ...te_7alZLtmTlts

Other than being ugly, do they work?

Yes, it will thread on and yes, it doesn't engage as many threads..Depending on the FW and you(are ya BIG POWER OUT guy?), it will 'probably' be fine.

Don't have any experience with that brake gizmo but depending on the fork, you 'may' be able to drill it for a front brake.

[Alistair]

Yep, single-speed FW will thread on just fine. Thread engagement should be fine - there will be just as many threads engaged on the FW as the fixed cog. The FW might have a few more threads that aren't engaged, but that shouldn't matter much if at all.

I would hesitate to you a clamp-on brake mount like that. Ugly for sure, but I'd also worry about frame damage (paint, crushed tube, stresses that weren't intended, etc).

[ColonelJLloyd]

I've never had issues with freewheels on fixed hubs.

Personally, I'd rather have a frame with road geo and track ends for road riding. I've always hated high BBs and ~57mm trail just feels right.

[David Kirk]

If possible I'd go some other way with the rear brake. I've seen seat stays dented by the clamping force of those plates with the added twisting brake loads.

dave

[pdonk]

Thanks for replies, fork is drilled, the rear is not.

I may take a trip to a local maker space and see if I can make an adapter. Pretty sure I can make something that does not look as bad. i am also going to reach out to Gabe and see what he has to say about a frame mod. The way the rear end is, I am not sure if it will even work.

[Pegoready]

Personally, I think riding fixed and freewheel on the road are two totally different experiences.

Fixed is fun and challenging and engaging.

Freewheel single speeding just feels boring and like I’m always in the wrong gear.

Just saying the experience might not translate. If riding fixed, you only need a front brake.

[redir]

I have a front Keirin brake on my track bike and the clamp is padded. That Diacomp doesn't look too great to me. But for SS bikes it's definitely best to have two brakes.

[sg8357]

The proper Paceline answer is N+1,
+1 being a path/road bike.

https://www.classiclightweights.co.u...-jackson-1952/

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by sg8357

+1 being a path/road bike.

I actually have one I'm about to offer up for sale if anyone is interested. 59x59. Everything but the wheels, but I could be convinced to sell them as well. https://flic.kr/s/aHsjFJ6pvA

[unterhausen]

I wouldn't mind riding my track bike on the road, but I'd have to convert it to 650 to put decent size tires on it.

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

I wouldn't mind riding my track bike on the road, but I'd have to convert it to 650 to put decent size tires on it.

As tight as track bikes geo is, I doubt you're going to be albe to run very big tires regardless.

I had a road frame build by Frank the Welder a few years ago. Happens to have a magic gear in 48x18 so I have thru axles and discs and fits 28s with full fenders. Ride it fixed. It's my winter/rain bike

M

[glepore]

I used to ride a track bike as a road fixie, I agree the fixie part was important to the experience. I never had a rear brake, front brake only was fine with the fixie.

[Tychom]

I'm riding a single speed around town and having ridden fixed for many years way back when, I disagree on it being boring.

Maybe it's different if you truly are riding it out on the road, doing any kind of distance, it's easier to vary your cadence and keep it steady at the high end.

But in town you still get all the simplicity and directness, only now you can stop, pedalling too and just freewheel about, which is nice if you're on streets that are tight, overly busy.

Maybe it just depends where you're riding.

[Wunder]

Originally Posted by Gummee

As tight as track bikes geo is, I doubt you're going to be albe to run very big tires regardless.

I had a road frame build by Frank the Welder a few years ago. Happens to have a magic gear in 48x18 so I have thru axles and discs and fits 28s with full fenders. Ride it fixed. It's my winter/rain bike

M

Not a track bike per se but my fixed gear is a Wabi classic. More of a road geo but with 120mm track ends and runs fixed 46x17. Fits 32mm slicks no problem. Front brake only.