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Single speed hub or freewheel?

G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
Excuse my lack of knowledge. I think "freewheel" is the term for a rear hub that's to be used with a cassette. Either way, I'm trying to figure out what to use. I want to make my '07 P2 a single speed. Should I use a single speed hub or a "cassette" type with a single speed kit on it?

I'm leaning towards a Phil Wood single speed hub, a good freewheel, 36x 14 gauge spokes crossed 4 times (I'm 240lbs), and a Mavic 721, or sun Ringle Rhyno XL, blah, blah.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Matt
 
sealclubber

sealclubber

Monkey
Nov 21, 2007
543
10
freewheels thread onto the hub, a singlespeed casette type essentially builds the freewheel into the hub, and you select a cog to tack onto that body, which lets you run smaller gearing. a freewheel will only go down to like 14t or something like that
 
cmc

cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
this is a freewheel. ACS Claws go down to 13t. the one pictured is a 16t.


you can buy a dirt jumper mtb wheel that takes a freewheel. for instance Atomlab



BTI part #: AL-3833
vendor part #: 1WHL850B
hole: 32h
rim: Pimp 32mm black
spoke: triple butted
size: 26"
nipple: Torque alloy
spacing: 135mm
f/r: rear
hub: Pimp 9sp 10mm bolt-on


•Hand built with Pimp hubs and Pimp rims (choose black or white rims)
•Hubs are black, triple butted spokes are white, Torque nipples are red
•All have International-Standard 6-bolt disc mount and Atomlab rim strips
•Singlespeed rear has small 30x1mm threading to fit 13-15t freewheels
•Convert 12mm through-axle to 10mm bolt-on axle with BTI #AL-2893
•1193g F20x110 / 1610g R10x135 / 1363g R12x135 / 1678g R12x150 / 1263g R-SS


http://www.bti-usa.com/public/category/WH/WHMD/AL/AL3831?page=1#AL3831


Or you can use a mtb single speed cassette hub.

e.g.

Halo DJD Disc Singlespeed Hub
•Micro-drive cassette rear hub for Singlespeed and Dirt Jump use
•Forged 6061 aluminum shell, 5 sealed cartridge bearings (2 main body, 3 cassette body)
•Includes 11 tooth (1/8") steel cog, ideal for compact drivetrain setup
•3 double wide pawls ensure positive drive
•International Standard 6-bolt disc rotor mount
•Choose nutted (10mm or 14mm) or quick release axle
•Halo 10-16t replacement mini sprockets available separately

http://www.bti-usa.com/public/category/HU/HUHD/HL/HL3261?page=1#HL3261
 
G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
That's weird. I thought my LBS told me that I needed to put a freewheel onto a single speed hub!? Or, I could purchase a regular hub (that you'd normally use multi-gears on) and put a single speed kit on it!?! Am I confused?

Matt
 
cmc

cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
Gookis said:
. . . Or, I could purchase a regular hub (that you'd normally use multi-gears on) and put a single speed kit on it!?! . . .

Matt
Click to expand...
yes there are single speed conversion kits... in place of the multi-cog set up, you take that off and replace with a single cog, and whatever spacers may be needed.
 
G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
Thanks you guys! This really helps. I think what they showed me at the LBS was a fixed gear hub. Which, I think, would explain why I was told I would need a freewheel.

Personally, it seems I'd be better off with a good singlespeed hub with a built in freewheel so that I can run different sized cogs (smaller than if I used an add-on freewheel).

Is my head out of my @&& yet? Thanks again for your patients and explanations!

Matt
 
cmc

cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
Gookis said:
Thanks you guys! This really helps. I think what they showed me at the LBS was a fixed gear hub. Which, I think, would explain why I was told I would need a freewheel.

Personally, it seems I'd be better off with a good singlespeed hub with a built in freewheel so that I can run different sized cogs (smaller than if I used an add-on freewheel).

Is my head out of my @&& yet? Thanks again for your patients and explanations!

Matt
Click to expand...
i doubt they showed you a fixed gear hub. . . .

you don't need a new rear wheel. just convert your current hub. if your LBS didn't tell you about conversion kits, then they are either (a) idiots or (b) just not real helpful.


DMR STS Tension Seeker with conversion kit




http://www.ride-this.com/index.php/dmr-sts-tension-seeker-with-conversion-kit.html

this is an example of the end result:

 
Last edited:
zebrahum

zebrahum

Monkey
Jun 22, 2005
401
0
SL,UT
wait, just to clear it up, your bike shop was saying you need a single speed hub to run a freewheel like that ACS claw above. A freewheel is not the only way to run single speed, but you need to run what you're able to. Freewheels are thread on, freehubs are a cassette style hub. Freewheels will limit you to about a 13t whereas a bmx style driver hub will allow you to get down to 9t in the back easily.
 
sittingduck

sittingduck

Turbo Monkey
Jun 22, 2007
1,958
2
Oregon
Stay away from the spring loaded style tensioners if you're going to be doing any serious jumping/street/etc. Rennen or the dmr will be a lot more reliable!
 
G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
LBS didn't convince me to go with a new hub. I've heard the hubs on the 07 P2 are unreliable. The rear rim is tweaked so it was a good place to start. I told LBS I was interested in converting to single speed.

Really, my original question was- should I go with a setup that is designed for single speed only OR should I go with a regular "multi-speed" hub for flexibility?

Thanks guys, I'm easily confused but I CAN learn.:D You guys have helped sort a lot of this out. I will come away from this "a little" smarter.

Matt
 
sittingduck

sittingduck

Turbo Monkey
Jun 22, 2007
1,958
2
Oregon
Have them build you up a new wheel with the original hub converted to SS. That will be your cheapest option, I'd imagine.
As to your original question, that's something YOU will have to decide. Personally, I'll never run gears on my hardtail again, but I don't do much XC style riding on it.
 
G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
Right on. Thanks Sittingduck. Appreciate you responding to these! I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest option. As dorky as it sounds, I'm kinda wanting to pimp it. I'm 31 and can't ride worth a ****. But now I can afford a lot of the stuff I couldn't when I was younger. :thumb: :p

I get what you mean by I have to decide for myself. I guess I'm looking for input as to advantages or disadvantages of going either way. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the Phil Wood Single Speed hub. Made locally and suppose to be really tough.

Matt
 
G

Gookis

Chimp
Aug 28, 2009
18
0
I pulled the trigger. I got the phil wood single speed hub, Mavic729 rim, black 14g spokes and nickel nipples (I just like saying that last one). I'll add a White Industries freewheel once I have it built.

I think I want DMR Motos!?

Thanks for the education you guys!

Matt
 
don

don

Turbo Monkey
Nov 8, 2001
1,319
0
Rumson, NJ
Gookis - Phil Wood singlespeed hub is bling without getting too costly especially if you got it in polished. They've been a dope hub since before King was out and about. I have a Phil/White Ind setup on my XC SS bike and it works real well. Cassettes might be a touch more slick but certainly not by much.
 
pnj

pnj

Turbo Monkey till the fat lady sings
Aug 14, 2002
4,696
40
seattle
what other options are there for single speed hubs? seems like there is the nashbar/joyluck thing and then really expensive ones.
 
pnj

pnj

Turbo Monkey till the fat lady sings
Aug 14, 2002
4,696
40
seattle
pnj said:
what other options are there for single speed hubs? seems like there is the nashbar/joyluck thing and then really expensive ones.
Click to expand...
I was also wondering this same thing, now that I need a new rear wheel....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26858

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6245

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12150

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37011

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=45956

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=34009


etc..

I don't see Paul or any of the other nicer hubs (profile is out of the question).

so, what else is available in the USA?
 
happysmiley

happysmiley

Chimp
Feb 28, 2009
14
0
Oxnard, CA
Hi, I didn't want to start a new thread since I have a pretty similar question.

I have an 05 specialized p street 24"

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21457&menuItemId=0

I'm looking at upgrading to a new frame and fork to lighten up this 35 lb bike a little. My rear wheel is a flip flop freewheel, I'm looking at the 09 NS capital 2 since I should be able to swap most of my parts over

Will I be able to get a good ratio with a 13 tooth freewheel out back and not run into chainstay/sprocket clearance problems on a frame with such a short rear triangle? Anyone know a good ratio that will help me get a short chainstay length?
 
sittingduck

sittingduck

Turbo Monkey
Jun 22, 2007
1,958
2
Oregon
Check out this thread, you can calculate the exact chainstay length and gear ratio depending on chainring/cog sizes.
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217876

With 24" wheels, and a 13 on the back, you would want to go with a 30 or 32 up front, depending on how stiff of a gear you like. 55 gear inches is pretty standard, I like to be right around 60.
30/13 with 42 links of chain will give you a 15.57" chainstay measurement.

This hub looks like the BOMB. I want one.
 
cmc

cmc

Turbo Monkey
Nov 17, 2006
2,052
6
austin
happysmiley said:
Hi, I didn't want to start a new thread since I have a pretty similar question.

I have an 05 specialized p street 24"

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=21457&menuItemId=0

I'm looking at upgrading to a new frame and fork to lighten up this 35 lb bike a little. My rear wheel is a flip flop freewheel, I'm looking at the 09 NS capital 2 since I should be able to swap most of my parts over

Will I be able to get a good ratio with a 13 tooth freewheel out back and not run into chainstay/sprocket clearance problems on a frame with such a short rear triangle? Anyone know a good ratio that will help me get a short chainstay length?
Click to expand...
note that the P.Street has spacing for a bmx hub. not mtb hubs.

with 13t in the back and 24" wheels, 30t up front would be a good choice. that would give you roughly 55 gear inches, which is the classic bmx gear. i don't know about the NS capital 2 specifically but i would guess that 30t will fit fine without hitting the frame. i know that 30t works on a Blackmarket MOB.

with the P.Street, most of the weight problem is in the D-Street fork which is like 8 or 9 pounds. i set up a P.Street with a light fork once, and the bike improved immensely. so, definitely get a new fork before you get a new frame.
 
sittingduck

sittingduck

Turbo Monkey
Jun 22, 2007
1,958
2
Oregon
untitledsince89 said:
looks like a great hub for a great price, it looks like you can swap out the 16t cog for another standard ss cog right?
also you suggest an actually driver over a ss cog?
Click to expand...
You can put any cog you want on there as long as it's 12T or bigger. It's got what looks like a tiny little cassette on it, with a lockring and a couple of thin spacers.
I would recommend a driver, only if you want to go smaller than 12T.
 
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