conversion

Advice is needed on a conversion of my gears. My old MTB is being
relegated to a communting/dash to shops bike, plus the occasional
w/end ride with the missus when the Racer is a bit OTT.

What I would like to do is change the front fork to a rigid one, any
recommendations - the kona ones do appeal.

Also I would like to get rid of the front gears and run one chainring,
and then have 9 speed on the back. So my main question is first, is
this possible, and what size front should I get to go with my Shimano
HG50 cassette at the back if it is possible?

cheers

Nigel

NIGEL wrote:

Also I would like to get rid of the front gears and run one chainring,
and then have 9 speed on the back. So my main question is first, is
this possible, and what size front should I get to go with my Shimano
HG50 cassette at the back if it is possible?

It should certainly be *possible*, as the R&M Birdy Black uses a 1x9 XT
derailleur. As to what size, how high/low do you want your gearing?
Use the existing setups on both bikes to decide what you want/need and
work from there.

Pete.


--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

It really depends on the numbers of teeth on your cassette and on what
gears you are happy pedalling. If I was to convert my road bikes into
single clangers I would use a 39 up front as they have 13-24 (in 7) and
12-28(in 9) on the rear. I am very comfortable on both bikes in the 39
except when climbing long hills and 'going for it'. It sounds as though
you need this bike for neither of these activities.



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NIGEL wrote:
What I would like to do is change the front fork to a rigid one, any
recommendations - the kona ones do appeal.

I've got a Kona project two, and its a fine fork.

Also I would like to get rid of the front gears and run one chainring,
and then have 9 speed on the back.

I suggest you keep the derailleur, and use it's adjusting screws to put
it in the position needed. If you don't, the chain will come off more
often. See David Millar (Cofidis) for details.

So my main question is first, is
this possible, and what size front should I get to go with my Shimano
HG50 cassette at the back if it is possible?

Its possible, but unless the existing components are worn out, I can't
quite see why you would want to do this. Is this because you never
change front rings on your existing gears? If so, the one you're in is
the size you want. If not, you're going to lose something you use,
unless you can make up for it with a wider ranging gear at the back. The
biggest you'll get in a HG50 at the back is an 11-34, which gives a
usefull range. Its your choice on whether to lose low or high gears
(although if its a mountain bike, the further you go above or below
about 38 or so, the more extreme things will get at one end). You'll
need to change the shifter, of course, if you want to use all 9 gears
(the existing one won't work at all well with 9 speed). You may get away
without changing the derailleur.

--
Jim Price

http://www.jimprice.dsl.pipex.com

Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.