[KevinGT]

I recently converted my old HT to SS using a chain tensioner. For spacers for the single cog, I threw anything I could find on the Shimano freewheel. I've got some plastic spacers from an old cassette and an old 11 tooth cog to fill in the gaps. I have no idea how much pressure is exerted onto the spacers so I don't know if there's any risk to not having true aluminum spacers.

Am I OK for the first few rides or should I wait to ride until I get a spacer pack?

 

[ScaryJerry]

 

[rockcrusher]

I recently converted my old HT to SS using a chain tensioner. For spacers for the single cog, I threw anything I could find on the Shimano freewheel. I've got some plastic spacers from an old cassette and an old 11 tooth cog to fill in the gaps. I have no idea how much pressure is exerted onto the spacers so I don't know if there's any risk to not having true aluminum spacers.

Am I OK for the first few rides or should I wait to ride until I get a spacer pack?

I have used all variety of plastic cassette spacers and have never had a problem with the cog slipping whether i used an old thin cassette cog or a fatter singlespeed specific cog like the surly ones. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[drjay9051]

Don't think it's a problem.

I spoke with a guy who made his own spacers out of an old length of schedule 40 PVC. Amazing what can be accomplished with a bandsaw!!

Home Made PVC Cassette Hub Spacers | The Life of Son

Or how about this: (not my idea but from a search on MTBR)

- 1.5" OD x 1.384" ID x 0.058" Wall 6061 Aluminum Tube 12" long $6.93 Onlinemetals.com
- Hacksaw free (assuming you own one or have a friend who does.
- Finish with a file (or lathe preferred getting thickness / spacing deadnuts on)
- Now you have all the spacers you could ever want and you saved over $20.

Going this route I think is cheaper than PVC

 

[Zoke2]

I make all my spacers out of 1.25" PVC and have never had any problems and it also makes a good headset race install tool

 

[KevinGT]

Thanks guys!

In the long term, I'm going to buy a spacer kit (only $15 new on eBay) but I wanted to make sure I'm OK for a few rides until the spacer kit arrives.