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Discussion starter · #61 ·
Unless something changed since I brought the topic up, you'll need to change the freehub. I'd email some companies that specialize in oddball stuff like this and let them know you're interested in a MSSS cog.
 
Discussion starter · #63 ·
I don't need one, but I can't find anything yet. if you really want it, you'll need to start emailing the smaller manufacturers mentioned earlier in this thread and let them know there's interest in such a thing.
 
Okay, as promised. I bought a new SLX cassette for this butchering, but there's no reason that you can't use your worn out MS cassette (they all appear to use the same spider attachment, though I have not verified this).

Step 1: Drill out the rivets on the two smallest sprockets (they're already mostly center punched) using a drill press. You can do the others if you want to make your life easier later.

Step 2: Punch out the rivets with a 1/8 or 3mm punch. The rivets are quite tight regardless of whether or not you remove the head all the way.

Step 3: Cut off the arms of the spider in a convenient place. I chose the second hole, and I may still remove them all the way down to the first one.

Step 4: File/cut excess, and tap the holes (use an M4x0.75). NB: you can through drill and use an M4 nut on the other side, but the clearance is tight.

Step 5: Acquire a coaster brake sprocket of your choosing. I had a 20t Alfine sprocket with integrated chainguard, which got this whole thing rolling around in my head. I noticed that the holes for the plastic guard seemed about the same spacing, and reasoned that rather than changing their tooling, they would re-use what they could in manufacture. As you can see, I was 100% accurate in my size assessment, even if the reasoning is not.

Step 6: Using a file/sander/stone/milling head, enlarge the center hole of the sprocket to fit over the raised cone on the modified spider. If using a different sprocket than the above, fix it with a clamp/spray adhesive/whatever, and center punch it through the rear holes of the spider. Drill/enlarge the holes to 4mm.

Step 7: Mount to spider with hardware. I used road brake retaining screws--please note that there is not a preponderance of material that has threads on the spider. I mocked this up as is, but will likely go back to install the screws using red loctite. I'm still personally mulling over putting nuts on the back.

Image

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Things I didn't immediately think of at the outset:

-Freehub spacers to take up room are not really readily available yet--regular HG spacers fit (the 'splines' on Shimano HG spacers have the same ID as the outside diameter of the Microspline freehub), BUT

-The lockring is made to clamp down on something SMALLER than the diameter of the splines on the freehub. You must either use the top two sprockets, or custom tooled hardware will need to be made.

At any rate, this is currently a proof-of-concept. I need to get checked out by the doctor before trying this out, as my back hasn't recovered from 1.5 weeks ago pulling it while riding.
 
As I discovered with my debacle, the main issue that I had after getting a sprocket mounted was that the lockrings included with cassettes (of which there are no other current analogues) don't actually get far enough out to clamp onto the spacers on the hub. Unless a manufacturer undertakes both the sprocket AND lockring, we're still not there yet. I will say, though: bravo, for the next step to making it more accessible.

Incidentally, before I took my frankenstein creation for a shakedown, I realized that the chainline would require me to flip the sprocket, so back under the knife it went:

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A little profiling and red loctite later, I put in a spirited 10 mile ride, and nothing broke. Given that similar setups are used to adapt sprockets to hubs as a jackshaft transmission on tricycles, I am satisfied that this will hold up long(ish) term. Since the wheels that it is on live with studded tires, they don't get used THAT much.
 
like it or not, high-end hubs are all going to be Microspline or SRAM XD in the near future. There is at least one solution for XD with a singlepeed drivetrain.

is anyone making a microspline SS cog yet? who will be the first to do it? is there any reason that will not work?
Not sure if anyone mentioned this but Boone is back in the SS cog game and it looks like they are offering a microspline option.
 
Going to order a Boone cog. With microspline can I just use regular single speed spacers meant for hg? And will a standard 11speed lock ring work?
1) kind of.

2) no.

HG spacers that have locating splines--such as those from cassettes-- fit snugly on top of the microspline pattern. Cheapies float/rattle.

The lockring thread diameter is significantly smaller on MS versus HG. UNfortunately, the MS lockring is also not fully threaded, so spacers must be used to allow for clamping...but the lockring is such a small diameter, that is doesn't contact even the microspline spacers, even if you could arrange that to work. Additionally, the unthreaded shoulder means that you NEED to have some kind of spacer arrangement, since you can't remove the excess length that you don't need. Someone would need to make a custom lockring, or a spacer that would work for the standard one. TLDR you must use the two top-end sprockets from a microspline cassette, plus the lockring, in order to fasten anything to the freehub body.
 
Couldn't you just use something like this instead of a spacer kit? I'm sure someone could 3d print a prototype for the MS freehub.

 
Couldn't you just use something like this instead of a spacer kit? I'm sure someone could 3d print a prototype for the MS freehub.

I use gear clamps on all my HG SS bikes, and love them. I would definitely throw some scratch to a big brained 3d printer person for some that would work reliably with MS.
 
Couldn't you just use something like this instead of a spacer kit? I'm sure someone could 3d print a prototype for the MS freehub.

Being the cheap bastard I am, I used PVC to make spacers for my HG driver and cog. Takes 30 seconds with my chop saw and a stick of Carlon 1 1/4" pipe is less than 5 bux.
 
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