Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Velo Fixe => Topic started by: Polar Bear on 06 April, 2008, 05:15:31 pm

Title: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 April, 2008, 05:15:31 pm
I ask because I have an excess of Shimano freewheel hubbed 26 inch wheels and a turbo bike which I could use to play at fix'ing with until I build a dedicated fixie.   

It would seem within the bounds of do-ability to me.  Simply produce a fixed carrier that replaces the freewheel but am I being too simplistic or optimistic?

Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: MSeries on 06 April, 2008, 05:19:05 pm
Do you have a freewheel or a cassette hub. The former is easy, just screw the fixed sprocket on. The latter needs the freehub body replacing with a Surly Fixer or drilling and screwing. Google will help you find some information.
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Dave on 06 April, 2008, 05:21:58 pm
Beat me to it  :)

Surly Fixxer

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/userimages/procart6.htm
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 April, 2008, 05:28:02 pm
WOW!  That's impressive if not a tad expensive.

All the hubs I have are freewheel hubs.

I tried Google but couldn't find what I wanted.  Maybe that's because I don't really know the terminology yet so it's difficult to find what you don't know you're looking for  :-[   


Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: MSeries on 06 April, 2008, 05:36:19 pm
I am not sure what you mean by freewheel hubs. Do they use screw on blocks (freewheels) or slide on cassettes ? If it is the former just screw your sprocket on.
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 April, 2008, 05:40:07 pm
Sorry.

The hubs have a removeable 'freehub' (I guess it is called) onto which a cassette slides.

Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: andrew_s on 06 April, 2008, 05:41:54 pm
To identify the type of hub, see Sheldon (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html)

If it's a threaded hub that takes a separate screw-on freewheel, just screw on a fixed sprocket instead, and don't rely on leg braking. You can use an old-style bottom bracket lockring to make it harder for the cog to unscrew itself.

If it's a freehub (aka a cassette hub) that takes a slide-on cassette, it's either a Surley Fixxer, or try assorted bodges to jam up the freewheeling part of the freehub body - fill with araldite, braze the inner and outer sections together, or whatever.

Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 06 April, 2008, 06:07:22 pm
Sorry.

The hubs have a removeable 'freehub' (I guess it is called) onto which a cassette slides.



Indeed so.  Thanks for that link Andrew.
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: rogerzilla on 06 April, 2008, 06:28:24 pm
On-One make a cheap singlespeed kit for Shimano freehubs, but this isn't quite the same thing; because the freehub is still there, it doesn't get you any nearer to a fixie.

Some people have done things with brazing torches.

Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: border-rider on 06 April, 2008, 07:31:34 pm
www.fixieFAQs.org.uk for this and so much more fixie lore :)
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: David Martin on 06 April, 2008, 08:28:35 pm
On-One make a cheap singlespeed kit for Shimano freehubs, but this isn't quite the same thing; because the freehub is still there, it doesn't get you any nearer to a fixie.

Some people have done things with brazing torches.



You called?  ;D
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: rogerzilla on 07 April, 2008, 08:28:26 am
I assume people take the rubber seals out first, otherwise it would niff a bit when you started running molten brass into its rear annulus.
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 07 April, 2008, 08:51:59 am
On-One make a cheap singlespeed kit for Shimano freehubs, but this isn't quite the same thing; because the freehub is still there, it doesn't get you any nearer to a fixie.

Some people have done things with brazing torches.



You called?  ;D

I might be asking for your expertise and help David.   I've just spotted this! (http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=74&MMN_position=80:80)
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 08 April, 2008, 07:48:47 pm
A visit to my friendly LBS today turned up a knackered 8 speed shimano freehub.   It'll be going for a soak then at the weekend I'm going to try and fill it with somelthing less lubricating  :)    Thanks DM for the suggestion.

Now, I need to order this (http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=74&MMN_position=80:80) from On One ... 

Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Si on 09 April, 2008, 10:58:07 am
If you take the free hub body apart there is a small groove/space running along the innards into which you can place a bit of steel bar to lock the hub - there is a link to it in more detail on Sheldon somewhere.  Or you can just weld the freehub body up so that it won't rotate.
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Polar Bear on 09 April, 2008, 11:11:36 am
If you take the free hub body apart there is a small groove/space running along the innards into which you can place a bit of steel bar to lock the hub - there is a link to it in more detail on Sheldon somewhere.  Or you can just weld the freehub body up so that it won't rotate.

Thanks for that tip.  I'll dig around in Sheldon for the metal bar trick.   Me and welding / brazing equipment might not be very sensible  ;D
Title: Re: Can you convert a freewheel hub to a fixed hub?
Post by: Adrian on 12 April, 2008, 09:22:02 am
I have one that I took apart and jammed some metal bits into the freewheel mechanism and stuck in place with some sort of aradilte for metal. It worked just fine.