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Advice on converting a single speed to 9 speed??

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Norsman29er

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have a Cannondale 3 29er and miss having more gears for a greater flat land speed. I'm totally clueless and figure some would know what to do here:

Do I need a new rear wheel with a different hub? Suggestions?
What do I do with the cables since the frame has no cable thingers welded on?
Can I just leave the crank set on with one ring?

Any comments or suggestions on what to buy, please let me know.
 
#2 ·
If you are using a ss specific frame, order dmr wheel tugs with a derailleur hanger. Run the shift cable its entire length with housing. Zip tie the housing to the frame. Go 1x9 and don't worry about adding a front der.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
mpell said:
If you are using a ss specific frame, order dmr wheel tugs with a derailleur hanger. Run the shift cable its entire length with housing. Zip tie the housing to the frame. Go 1x9 and don't worry about adding a front der.
Click to expand...
Wheel tugs? I think I've seen those on downhill bikes, is that what you mean. Is this the site and do you recommend a specific product on this page?

I assume the wheel tugs are to keep proper chain tension?
 
#4 ·
Norsman29er said:
Wheel tugs? I think I've seen those on downhill bikes, is that what you mean. Is this the site and do you recommend a specific product on this page?

I assume the wheel tugs are to keep proper chain tension?
Click to expand...
mpell's suggestion applies to frames with slot doprouts. Google "chain tug" if you are curious to see what he means. There are versions with built in derailleur hangers
Since you have an EBB frame you won't need those. If your frame didn't come with one, you will need a derailleur hanger from your lbs, though.

I don't know exactly what your rear wheel currently is, but I believe Cannondale does use SS-specific hubs. If it is a freewheel you will definitely need a new hub. If it is just a shorter SS freehub then you should be able to fit 5-6 gears on the hub still
There are stick-on cable guides available. Otherwise you can always try ziptying the cable to the frame.
Yep, you can still use just a single ring up front. Normally the front derailleur will keep the chain on the rings up front, so without one you will need something else to help. A bashguard will keep the chain from falling off the outside, an n-gear jump stop will keep it from falling off the inside and jamming into the crank. You can also buy some nice, light guides for a single ring, such as the Paul chain-keeper or MRP 1.x
 
#5 ·
If your cannondale uses an EBB you may be able to get a rear dropout with derailleur hanger from cannondale as a replacement for the singlespeed one installed. Then all you will need is a shifter, derailleur and cable, zip tied as mentioned previously.

Your rear wheel however might only hold a few gears properly spaced so you will more than likely need to purchase a new rear wheel with a 9speed compatible hub. To keep the front simple you could use a chainkeeper to keep the chain in place. Search out 1x9 on MTBR to see examples of this.
 
#6 ·
Hmm that would be sort of a shame. You could just pedal faster. Or, if you really want to buy something, get a bigger ring for the front or a smaller cog for the rear.

Looks like sort of a nice bike as-is, the 33x19 wasn't a bad starting point if you ride any actual dirt. Just sayin'...well, someone had to... ;)
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
canyonrat said:
Hmm that would be sort of a shame. You could just pedal faster. Or, if you really want to buy something, get a bigger ring for the front or a smaller cog for the rear.

Looks like sort of a nice bike as-is, the 33x19 wasn't a bad starting point if you ride any actual dirt. Just sayin'...well, someone had to... ;)
Click to expand...
Yes, the combo is great on dirt. I also commute to school on the bike about 7 miles a day and I find that I'm coasting alot waiting to slow down so I can pedal again. I don't want to compromise the simplicity or dirt worthiness either.

In the end, I should have bought the 29er #2 instead of the 33.
 
#9 ·
Norsman29er said:
How much resistance, drag and noise to get from something like this?
Click to expand...
I don't think those should add too much drag. Same pulley style as my old SS tensioner and that was only a slight difference from running without on one on a dedicated ss bike.

For an XC 1x9, this one should work just as well to keep the chain on for most people. Combine that with a short cage derailleur and you should have a very secure and chainslap-free drivetrain
 
#10 ·
Well, seriously by the time you add up costs of a derailleur and other odd parts, you could also consider for maybe a little more a Shimano Alfine rear wheel, it would give a clean look with your EBB and no dangly bits. Same deal, zip-tie on the full-length shifter cable. Search the forum there have been several Alfine threads...some people really like them over and above derailleurs. Just an option. :)
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
flash278 said:
Or you could get a Shimano Alfine Internally Geared Hub.
That would require building new wheel with the hub, but no derailleurs or cassettes to worry about.
Click to expand...
Cool, I'll look into that. You guys are full of great info!
 
#14 ·
Pfffffff. He said 9 speed; Alfine is only 8. The only logical choice is to do a Shimano Nexus 3 speed rear hub, Paul Melvin tensioner, and a triple setup in the front. What could be simpler or more attractive?


Seriously though, does the Alfine have a rapid fire shifter? I always liked the idea of building a Nexus urban/commute/jump/dick-around type bike but I hate twist shifters.
 
#16 ·
Norsman29er said:
Yes, the combo is great on dirt. I also commute to school on the bike about 7 miles a day and I find that I'm coasting alot waiting to slow down so I can pedal again. I don't want to compromise the simplicity or dirt worthiness either.

In the end, I should have bought the 29er #2 instead of the 33.
Click to expand...
This was my situation, and I ended up making my single speed into a dinglespeed set up. This would likely be your cheapest option. Throw a cog that's 4 teeth smaller than the one you currently have on and a chain ring that is four teeth bigger than the one you currently have. Then you have a gear for commuting and a gear for trails.
 
#17 ·
Yes, an Alfine is only a 1x8 but the range is larger than a 1x9. I've got the trigger shifters. They seem a little cheap but are reported to hold up pretty well.
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
expanding on my original idea of putting some gears on my one speed. If I were to put a front derailer on, how do you get the bare cable to it without a brazed on cable holder? Are there front derailers that you can route the cable and the housing directly to? Is there a bolt on cable holder gizmo out there?
 
#20 ·
My advice: don't.

I originally ran my SIR9 as 3x9 but then converted it to SS, which I loved.

This winter I thought I'd change it to 1x9 to do a little road training.

I HATED it after the SS. Changed it back to SS at the first opportunity and bought a cross bike for road training. What a huge relief to go back to SS.

My DH bike is set up 1x9 and it works for that. My FR hardtail is set up SS and I think it would be better 1x9. My FS AM/XC bike is set up 2x9 and I like it.
 
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