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Additional bad advice needed

(9 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by Greenroofer
  • Latest reply from MediumDave
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. Greenroofer
    Member

    I have an aged Raleigh commuter bike with an Alfine hub and hydraulic brakes. I used to use it as a trailer tug and child tug, but now that I have an Elephant Bike* it's not needed for those duties. The bike has an eccentric bottom bracket for chain tensioning.

    I'm a bit fed up with with Alfine hub, as I hold it responsible for leaking oil onto the brakes. I'm wondering about turning the bike into a lowish geared singlespeed for winter use. The hub has over 12,000 miles in it, so doesn't owe me anything.

    So, is it practical to create a disc-braked singlespeed? If so, what hub would you recommend, and what gear ratio is best for everyday use in Edinburgh?

    *Did I say that I had an Elephant Bike?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    You could get a sturmey archer three speed fitted? Need spacers as I Think they are narrower than alfine? My view is single speed less kind on the knees but maybe depends on set up.?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. Edinburgh Cycle Training
    Member

    I run a 42/17 and it works a treat for me. Most of my commuting is East/West though, so not too bumpy.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    So, is it practical to create a disc-braked singlespeed?

    Yes it is. Let me know if you do and I'll make you an offer for your Alfine hub.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. Greenroofer
    Member

    @gembo - good point about the knees. I shall ponder.

    Slightly alarmed by the price of this. £109!! "Other hubs are available", I hope.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. wee folding bike
    Member

    I know it's odd and archaic but ratios don't tell you the whole story.

    In these isles we tend to use inches, in the rest of Europe they use metric development.

    I understand inches so I use that.

    Hub gears will usually include a up/down percentage which I can convert to inches if I know the wheel diameter, chain ring and sprockets.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gear_inches

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. gembo
    Member

    @greenroofer that is alarming, the sturmey archer three speed is maybe seventy quid and you get three gears and the wee chain that reminds you of childhood

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Slightly alarmed by the price of this. £109!! "Other hubs are available", I hope.

    You could always buy Hope's Pro 4 single speed rear hub. It's only £153!

    Alternatively, what about using a regular rear disc hub and buying a single speed conversion kit for about £14?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dmr-single-speed-converter-kit/rp-prod2300

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. MediumDave
    Member

    I might have a PlanetX threaded hub with a disc mount sitting unused in the bits box. There may even be a screw-on freewheel with it. I say "may" as I might have consigned it to the Bike Station.

    What OLN distance are you after? Can't honestly remember what it is set up for but replacing the axle is a quick job for a bike shop. Requires a large hammer and the special punches to drive out the cartridge bearings without knackering them. Also nerves. Of steel.

    As to why I am not using the hub: I got Goldtecs instead. Not that you'd know due to the years of crusted chainsaw oil and road gunk...

    Posted 7 years ago #

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