Extending life of commuter.....switch to single speed?

[2pies]

Through a combination of wear and neglect, I'll likely need to replace my chain, cassette and at least one of the rings on my Shimano 2300 groupset. The chain is beginning to slip.

Bearing in mind I'm planning to get another bike on the companies' C2W scheme in April/May team, what are my cheapest options? Would it be simplest to switch to a single speed configuration. Can this be done quite simply, without the need for several tools?

Assume I need a single-speed sprocket, a couple of spacers to sit on the hub of the Shimano R500 wheel and a front crankset.

Has anyone done this that can link to parts that I need? Worried I'll have insufficient tools or incompatible parts e.g.bottom bracket.

Thanks

 

[mcshroom]

What rings have you got on the crankset? If you have a decent front ring that doesn't need replacing and you could match it for a decent singlespeed gear then it would be as little as getting a spacer kit, rear cog and new chain.

 

[2pies]

Its a triple, 53/39/30. Its mostly the 53 that is worn - I'm typically lazy and stay in the big ring at the front and use the lower gears at the back.

What cog would be best to pair with a 39, a 16 perhaps? There is one hill on the way to work, about 12% for a 200m or so.

 

[fossyant]

It will probably cost as much to convert. Your issue is poor maintenance.

Hunt about and you'll get a cassette for less than £20. Chains are about £10-£15. Front rings about £20. Not expensive !

My fixed - £20 for a good sprocket, £10-£15 for a KMC chain. Front rings, then they wear like geared, but not replaced one through wear yet.

 

[fossyant]

You'll be spinning your butt off on 39 x 16. I'm using 46 x 16 and live near hills !

 

[2pies]

I had the bike serviced 2-3 months ago and asked if I needed a replacement chain and was told it was fine, it was about half way through its life. The bike has done about 8,000 miles. Like many other parts on the bike e.g. wheels, bottom bracket etc. its just wear. London roads tend to do that.

So a 14 would be more suitable then? Not concerned about going fast, there aren't many stretches between traffic lights that I can up to more than 15mph. I'll do 23mph on the flat at the weekend on my road bike.

 

[jay clock]

You'll be spinning your butt off on 39 x 16. I'm using 46 x 16 and live near hills !

Depends on you preference. I used to have a 39x16 Singlespeed and it worked fine for me. Seem to recall I ran out of gears at 30kmh, but I would have been very happy for that as commuting gears

 

[mcshroom]

Gearing is very rider dependant. I'm currently on a 44x17 and considering gearing down to 44x18 for my commuter. This having replaced the 38x16 on my old hack hybrid.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Through a combination of wear and neglect, I'll likely need to replace my chain, cassette and at least one of the rings on my Shimano 2300 groupset. The chain is beginning to slip.

Bearing in mind I'm planning to get another bike on the companies' C2W scheme in April/May team, what are my cheapest options? Would it be simplest to switch to a single speed configuration. Can this be done quite simply, without the need for several tools?

Assume I need a single-speed sprocket, a couple of spacers to sit on the hub of the Shimano R500 wheel and a front crankset.

Has anyone done this that can link to parts that I need? Worried I'll have insufficient tools or incompatible parts e.g.bottom bracket.

Thanks

Seems obvious to me, simply 2x10 it and remove the outer then set the front mech stops. A cheap ass block can cost less than a ss conversion kit.

But seriously? 8000 miles and your hesitating? Spend the money then sell the bike to recoup your spendz.

 

[2pies]

Thanks all. So to clarify, something like this would be sufficient for short term for about £25.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dmr/single-speed-spacer-kit-ec009088
and a chain, obviously.

Other realistic option is just to replace the parts that I need. Probably nearer £75.

Either way, to do it myself I would need a chain whip (e.g. FWE), cassette remover (e.g. Park) and a chain tool . Another £25

Cheers

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

Thanks all. So to clarify, something like this would be sufficient for short term for about £25.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/dmr/single-speed-spacer-kit-ec009088
and a chain, obviously.

Other realistic option is just to replace the parts that I need. Probably nearer £75.

Either way, to do it myself I would need a chain whip (e.g. FWE), cassette remover (e.g. Park) and a chain tool . Another £25

Cheers

Nope, you'd need a singulator or other type of chain tensioner, unless you were planning on just using the rear mech?

 

[the snail]

Other realistic option is just to replace the parts that I need. Probably nearer £75.

Either way, to do it myself I would need a chain whip (e.g. FWE), cassette remover (e.g. Park) and a chain tool . Another £25

Cheers

shop around! for my 8 speed, chain + cassette less than £25, middle chainring was under £15

 

[2pies]

Fair enough, I'l just fix it up like for like. Assumed that singlespeed would be simpler and cheaper, but it doesn't seem to me. As BromptonFB said, I will probably sell it for a couple of hundred once I get a new bike.

Cheers