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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the
benefits. Can't wait to try one. But while thinking about it during a ride one day, I got to wondering if anyone has tried fixing the freewheel (or freehub) but still having a cassette and multiple gears? This would seem to provide many of the benefits of a fixed gear while still offering the flexibility to maintain cadence through gear changes. It also means that it might be possible to convert a bike to "fixedwheel" or "fixedhub" with no other drivetrain changes. So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? thanks, byron |
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#2
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
"Byron Sheppard" wrote in message
... So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? If you stop pedalling, the derailleur winds up and breaks off the derailleur tab..not good. Cheers, Scott.. |
#3
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 06:51:49 GMT, Byron Sheppard
wrote: I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the benefits. Can't wait to try one. But while thinking about it during a ride one day, I got to wondering if anyone has tried fixing the freewheel (or freehub) but still having a cassette and multiple gears? This would seem to provide many of the benefits of a fixed gear while still offering the flexibility to maintain cadence through gear changes. It also means that it might be possible to convert a bike to "fixedwheel" or "fixedhub" with no other drivetrain changes. So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? thanks, byron Apart from snapping off the derailleur, simply locking down the freewheel doesn't get over the problem of reverse chain tension unscrewing the freewheel from the hub. If you want a fixed wheel without a new wheel, there's an expensive converter which puts fixed cog and lockring threads on a shimano or compatible freehub, and a similar product is also available for threaded freewheel hubs. If you really want a multispeed fixed, you need to invest in some rare and very expensive retro parts from Campag or Sturmey-Archer. But why make life complex? Just rebuild your back wheel around a track hub and learn to pedal fast! Kinky Cowboy *Your milage may vary Batteries not included May contain traces of nuts. |
#4
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 06:51:49 GMT, Byron Sheppard
may have said: I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the benefits. Can't wait to try one. But while thinking about it during a ride one day, I got to wondering if anyone has tried fixing the freewheel (or freehub) but still having a cassette and multiple gears? This would seem to provide many of the benefits of a fixed gear while still offering the flexibility to maintain cadence through gear changes. It also means that it might be possible to convert a bike to "fixedwheel" or "fixedhub" with no other drivetrain changes. So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? As noted, if there's no freewheel, within a few minutes there will be no rear derailleur either. I suppose that someone with the requisite machine tools and skills could create the world's most nukeproof rear der to solve this particular problem, but I'm not sure I want to think about the cost and/or weight. If you want multiple speeds in a fixie, it's theoretically possible to get them using a multi-speed gearhub, if you can find one or if you have the skill to modify a freewheel-equipped unit. -- My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy. |
#5
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
In article ,
Byron Sheppard wrote: I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the benefits. Can't wait to try one. But while thinking about it during a ride one day, I got to wondering if anyone has tried fixing the freewheel (or freehub) but still having a cassette and multiple gears? This would seem to provide many of the benefits of a fixed gear while still offering the flexibility to maintain cadence through gear changes. It also means that it might be possible to convert a bike to "fixedwheel" or "fixedhub" with no other drivetrain changes. So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? As another poster has pointed out, derailleurs can't work with fixies. Sturmey-Archer did make a somewhat desirable 3-speed fixed-gear-compatible hub shifter. If you couldn't find one of those, another option would be the Schlumpf two-speed "mountain drive" BB, which might work with a fixed gear: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/schlumpf.html Of course, you already know about all the options involving rear hubs threaded on both sides, so you can go fixed/free, fixed/multiple-speed freewheel, or fixed/other-fixed by flipping over a wheel. Ask Sheldon, -- Ryan Cousineau, http://www.sfu.ca/~rcousine President, Fabrizio Mazzoleni Fan Club |
#6
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 15:12:46 +0000, KinkyCowboy wrote:
So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? Sorry. It is a silly idea. Try to slow your legs down, once, and the chain will end up wrapped around stuff, and badly jammed. The springs on the derailleur that keep the chain from going slack will be stretched by any pedaling slower than your speed would dictate (much less trying to stop), and the chain would go slack on the top, dangling down into the spokes. Apart from snapping off the derailleur, simply locking down the freewheel doesn't get over the problem of reverse chain tension unscrewing the freewheel from the hub. That is the least of your worries. -- David L. Johnson __o | What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is _`\(,_ | not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. (_)/ (_) | --Robert F. Kennedy |
#7
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
KinkyCowboy wrote in message ws.com...
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 06:51:49 GMT, Byron Sheppard wrote: I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the benefits. Can't wait to try one. cut Apart from snapping off the derailleur, simply locking down the freewheel doesn't get over the problem of reverse chain tension unscrewing the freewheel from the hub. If you want a fixed wheel without a new wheel, there's an expensive converter which puts fixed cog and lockring threads on a shimano or compatible freehub, and a similar product is also available for threaded freewheel hubs. If you really want a multispeed fixed, you need to invest in some rare and very expensive retro parts from Campag or Sturmey-Archer. You can simply add a screw on sprocket to a standard freewheel hub and ride. Lock ring not required, but, of course, re-spacing/dishing is. Having more than one sprocket is possible simply by screwing another on (never tried more than two), using bottom bracket lockrings as a spacer, but prevents optimum chainline being used. It is necessary to re-tension the chain on changin gear(by moving the wheel fore/aft in the dropouts or). As previous posters note, a derailleur is not an option. Andrew Webster |
#8
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
Werehatrack wrote:
As noted, if there's no freewheel, within a few minutes there will be no rear derailleur either. I suppose that someone with the requisite machine tools and skills could create the world's most nukeproof rear der to solve this particular problem, but I'm not sure I want to think about the cost and/or weight. Didn't one of the earliest shifting systems involve reaching back and opening the QR, then using a fork sort of thing to push the chain on to the next cog? Wouldn't this work on a fixie? (My interest is purely theoretical, I have no desire to actually try this, mind you. -Dondo -- What am I on? I'm on my bike, o__ 6 hours a day, busting my ass. ,/'_ What are you on? --Lance Armstrong (_)\(_) |
#9
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
Werehatrack wrote:
On Sun, 02 Nov 2003 06:51:49 GMT, Byron Sheppard may have said: I've been reading all the threads about fixed gear and am sold on the benefits. Can't wait to try one. But while thinking about it during a ride one day, I got to wondering if anyone has tried fixing the freewheel (or freehub) but still having a cassette and multiple gears? This would seem to provide many of the benefits of a fixed gear while still offering the flexibility to maintain cadence through gear changes. It also means that it might be possible to convert a bike to "fixedwheel" or "fixedhub" with no other drivetrain changes. So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? As noted, if there's no freewheel, within a few minutes there will be no rear derailleur either. I suppose that someone with the requisite machine tools and skills could create the world's most nukeproof rear der to solve this particular problem, but I'm not sure I want to think about the cost and/or weight. If you want multiple speeds in a fixie, it's theoretically possible to get them using a multi-speed gearhub, if you can find one or if you have the skill to modify a freewheel-equipped unit. -- My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy. I remember someone once reporting an internal gear hub failing in this manner- had his gear selections, just no freewheeling. -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
#10
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"fixed" freewheel, variable gear?
S. Anderson wrote:
"Byron Sheppard" wrote in message news:BBC9E98C.E2- %byron@ches sman.com... So why is this a silly idea? Has anyone tried it? Suggestions for how to fix the hub? If you stop pedalling, the derailleur winds up and breaks off the derailleur tab..not good. Cheers, Scott.. How about using a front triple der mount fore and below the sprockets in conjunction with a push-pull tensioner pair that takes the chain slack out of the non-tensile sprocket-chainring run? Probably only gives you 3 speeds (9 if you have a front chainring triple;12 if you use a Schlumpf with double chainrings up front). -- -------------------------- Posted via cyclingforums.com http://www.cyclingforums.com |
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