[Klooginator]

I currently own a schwinn mesa GS used mostly for commuting to classes every day and was thinking of converting into a SS for ease of maintenance and such.

Exactly what do I need to buy to convert the bike to SS and can I do all the wrenching myself rather easily?

A link to a how to guide woud be nice, but input here is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Klug

 

[lane]

All you need is a tensioner, a single cog and spacers for the rear, a few beers, and a rubbish bin for all the junk you peel off the bike. Assuming you have a few basic tools, (hex wrenches, big adjustable wrench, crank arm remover, chainbreaker, chainwhip, and hg lockring tool) its a pretty basic job.

http://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

The biggest thing that you need to know is Keep It Simple. Don't go and blow a ton of money on parts to make the conversion, regardless of what people tell you. You may not like riding with no gears and it sucks to find that out after spending a small fortune on new parts you didn't really need in the first place. You can strip your cassette down to harvest spacers and cogs. The rear derailluer can be used as a tensioner. You can reuse the middle chainring from your existing cranks (assuming that you have removable chainrings on it) and you can file down the existing chainring bolts to work with a single ring. Regular freehub bodies will work fine on a singlespeed, you don't need to get a SS specific rearhub.

 

[Klooginator]

Thanks much sir, sounds like I have a nice weekend project in order!
Avast!