I am in the process of converting my 09 Spec Hardrock to single speed. The rear wheel takes a freewheel and I haven't determined yet what size cog I want. I also can't decide if I want to keep the wheel and put on a single speed freewheel and potentially have to re-dish the wheel or to put a free hub type wheel on. Is there any downside to keeping the Multi-speed freewheel on until I decide what to do? It allows me to try different combos such as 32-15 and 32-17. I am currently using my rear derailler as the tensioner. This is a backup bike that I will use mostly on the road with my kids and some light trails.
Multi-speed freewheel
safme
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I am in the process of converting my 09 Spec Hardrock to single speed. The rear wheel takes a freewheel and I haven't determined yet what size cog I want. I also can't decide if I want to keep the wheel and put on a single speed freewheel and potentially have to re-dish the wheel or to put a free hub type wheel on. Is there any downside to keeping the Multi-speed freewheel on until I decide what to do? It allows me to try different combos such as 32-15 and 32-17. I am currently using my rear derailler as the tensioner. This is a backup bike that I will use mostly on the road with my kids and some light trails.
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5,801 Posts
I am not sure you will be able to just simply put a SS freewheel on that hub.
Whether or not you can, you will not be re-dishing the wheel. The mounting flanges for the axle and the spoke flanges will all be in the same places.
Very likely you will need a SS specific hub.
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2,642 Posts
just leave everything the same and don't touch the shifters. you can ride in one gear without having to change anything. this lets you try different ratios easily as well.
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Yeah, you can respace/ redish a multi-speed freewheel hub for singlespeed use. I've done it a couple of times and as long you don't run into frozen spoke nipples it's not hard. That said I think it wouldn't hurt to hold off and experiment with different gears.
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I agree, the 2009 Hardrock would have a cassette type hub, not a screw on freewheel type hub.
Safme, what you need is to pull the cassette off and replace it with a single gear and spacer kit (once you work out what gear you prefer). This also allows you some adjustment of the chainline by swapping various spacers around, so your rear sprocket is in line with the chainring up front.
For example:
DMR Revolver Single Speed Spacer Kit > Components > Drivetrain > Singlespeed, BMX, and Track Cogs | Jenson USA
When Sheldon talks about respacing the hub and redishing the wheel, he is talking about hubs with a threaded flange to take a screw on cluster. You replace the screw on gear cluster with a BMX type freewheel, but the chainline is usually awful for single speed unless you space the hub across to the drive side and redish the wheel. Again, you'd have a different hub type so that's not what you need to do.
Grumps
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150 Posts
Hi UG,
The wheel has a thread on freewheel. I have had it off a few times. Definitely not a cassette.
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2,358 Posts
seriously? like walmart bikes?
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Yep seriously. This was the base model 7 speed. I think they have since changed over to a freehub.
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1,093 Posts
Sorry, I saw it was an 09 Hardrock and just assumed that all Hardrocks for that year would be running a cassette.
In that case you do like Sheldon says and muck about with axle spacing and dishing, or...
I'd be inclined to pick up a second hand rear wheel in decent condition with a cassette hub and run a spacer kit. I think though your dropout spacing would be 130mm if it's 7sp, not 135mm, so make sure you get a wheel with a hub that fits.
Grumps
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The drop out spacing on the Hardrock is 135mm...regardless of speeds or hub type.
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150 Posts
No problem. I know its hard to believe that it has a freewheel. The spacing is 135mm. I have had wheel from my full susser on this bike.
You can take the freewheel apart and take the gears off. Pick the cog you want to use, put the freewheel spacers back on to get a decent chainline and then use a piece of PVC pipe between the cog and freewheel lockring.
If it's a large cog you are using offroad, you might want to put a smaller cog against it on either side without a spacer to help stiffen it - it is possible to bend a large freewheel cog.
If it's a large cog you are using offroad, you might want to put a smaller cog against it on either side without a spacer to help stiffen it - it is possible to bend a large freewheel cog.
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197 Posts
Another option if "p nuts" generous offer doesn't make sense. If you don't mind rebuilding your wheel I have an old 36 hole Shimano freehub sitting around that you can have for the cost of shipping. I don't think it would cost more than $5.00 to ship it in the U.S.
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