"fixed gear" is not the right term. look up "fixed gear bike."
you want to convert it to a "one by" or 1x drivetrain. a single ring in the front and a derailer with multiple gears in the back. that's what most modern bikes use. you will need to replace the crankset to do that, and probably the bottom bracket.
I discourage this on that particular bike. it's not worth the effort for the return on performance on a bike like that. it will quickly escalate into a Steamed Hams Situation.
Ok, yeah I was looking to turn it into a simple "one by", mostly just to eliminate the chain slippage and just ride it as a beater or have as a backup incase a friend without a bike wants to ride with me.
So yeah, just looking for a quick fix other than trashing it.
quick fix: replace the crankset. You can do this for under $100. check around the classifieds. most cranksets can be changed to 1x, just not the really entry-level ones. most cranks have a way to remove and replace the rings.
If the chainrings are worn on a crankset with riveted chainrings, you have to replace the crankset anyway.
I wouldn't call $100 for a crankset for such a bike "cheap" but you should be able to find a lot of stuff below that, especially on the used market, that will work.
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!