Building A Budget Single Speed Bike Ep. 1 | GCN Tech Bike Build

[@snwbrdn777]

“Building a single speed bike on a budget.” Immediately breaks out a Cervelo frame...

[@sandiputrapratama21]

🤣🤣🤣

[@prestachuck2867]

But it’s an old junker...umm I mean an old Cervelo. 😆

[@ronbyers9912]

@@prestachuck2867 I have a friend who rides and races one of those old Cervelos. She is very competitive. Ollie's junker is better than most people's best bikes.

[@obriaind]

Rule 1 of SS build is you start with a bike you already have lying around. I had a 1980s Cannondale, Ollie happens to have his P1.

[@rodcosta3603]

😁😁😁😁 so true! Still entertaining to watch. I’ve just had one of my old bikes converted to SS by a friend of mine. LOVE IT! N+1....even if I did already have N 😊

[@geoffdelperdog8838]

I'm all about this! I've been wanting more track, fixed, and single speed content from GCN and I was really hoping with Manon coming on, we'd start getting more of that. But I think I heard somewhere that Ollie Bridgewood has also attempted the *hour record* or something like that. Something of an urban legend really. It could be cool to check out some more urban cycling culture, riding fixed, hard in the streets!

[@ChristopherHable]

I recommend installing a bottle opener where the front derailleur mounts because nothing says urban single speed like being able to open a cold beverage at any time.

[@nikveldkamp8630]

👍Btw, same as Lauf bikes come equipped with on the 1x drivetrains.

[@natgeoba7377]

Or as the rodeo lab flanimaal to scrape crap from the tyres

[@guidospanoghe8896]

I use a tyrelever or the screwdriver on my multitool to open a bottle of beer. Keeps my frame tidy.

[@GC_420]

Use front derailleur mount. Lol!

[@NickelPlateRoad57]

A slick looking bottle opener is the Surly Tuggnut, and it also functions as a chain tensioner

[@rjtopper68]

I bought my first road bike in 1986, a Centurion Facet Aluminum frame. I've had it for years and always wanted to do "something" with it. A while back, I decided to turn it into a fixie. I used an ENO hub because it had a built in tension and allowed me to flip it from fixie to single speed. I got a front gear that had shorter crank arms, since you can't coast around corners, you have to make sure your arm doesn't hit the ground as you lean. I road it as a fixie for years, but just recently,decided to turn it into a single speed and finally put a brake on it. Just a front break to help slow me down. I love just riding it around town, and because of the aluminum frame, with now parts on it, it is extremely lightweight. I posted some pictures of it a couple of weeks ago in the GCN app.

[@hutchmusician]

‘My plan is to cross that bridge when I come to it.’ That is the very definition of not having a plan. XD

[@sheilastallard]

Disagree; my husband rides a single speed, he says it's got three gear, sit, stand, push!!

[@axxlsgallery9136]

*k.... laugh will be delivered August 23 2021*

[@paulcuthbert]

Ollie is without doubt the best GCN presenter. His incredible knowledge, endless enthusiasm and brilliant sense of humour are just joyful to watch. I wish he was my mate!

[@GCNuser123]

Thanks pal!

[@MyDigitalCult]

3 years later and he's only improved

[@PM-yf5pn]

Perfect timing! I just got a single speed and today it takes its maiden voyage. It wasn’t expensive, but my winter plan is to build a nicer wheelset for it. As for gears, this place is flat. A local joke is if your dog runs away you can still see it for three days...

[@ilyketrainz]

Depending if you want to go high dollar the phil wood track hubs will always be an option, my preference is the all-city Sheriff hubs great flip-flop hub, fantastic rigidity, female hub, and high flange.

[@ilyketrainz]

BeboSaab anything that works to go faster and smoother I’m going to support, I absolutely forgot about the origin 8 hubs, thanks for the advice!

[@wsguntoro]

Business in the front party in the back

[@baskruitnl]

I believe most dedicated fixed/singlespeed, or at least the more track-like bikes have 120mm spacing at the rear wheel. 110mm you see a lot on more city-like bikes, sometimes with coaster brakes. There are a couple of flipflop hubs that come standard as 120mm but can easily converted to 130mm by the way. Sturmey Archer has a really affordable option, like 30 euros. I personally use a slighty nicer one on my rear wheel: A Halo RR FW/FX 32H that can be converted to 130mm at a little extra cost if I ever choose to.

[@Wei-HongWang]

True! that saying about 110 got me to pause and replay...and wonder for a few sec....wait a sec......

[@umeko204]

110mm is a much older standard. The only place it's still really commonly used today is in Japanese Keirin track racing.

[@angusfraser1598]

Wei-Hong Wang p

[@garyjackson5448]

I’ve got what is effectively a Single speed gravel bike based on a MTB frame, Carbon rigid forks and drops on 26” rims and cable disc brakes, simple and fun!

[@christoingram]

Yes I came here to comment on this, interested to see how he goes with a 130mm spaced frame.

[@MrBradso]

Yes! Great content! I would love to see more single speed videos, particularly Track Cycling videos. Especially seeing as you have a champion track cyclist in Manon on your team!

[@pac0666999]

I always love these building something series!!! (I love road bikes but my only bike is a Cinelli fixed speed)

[@ilyketrainz]

That is an absolutely great bike though, especially for a single bike to own.

[@larisonjohnson]

The hair just keeps getting better! 😂 A red and silver chain with that frame might look awesome. Also, go all out and get the Jagwire link cable housing (red or silver). Hoping you have to build the wheel. Been wanting to see that. Keep up the great content, love these different series you put together!

[@rpdole]

That hair tho....

[@snoopy10411]

The positioning of the brakes is also something to consider, the brake is in a fixed position so if you move the wheel back and forth along the horizontal dropout to find the right chain tension, the rim might not line up correctly with the brake when it's at the optimal chain tension.

[@13ballom]

Hey, i ride a single speed everyday and I have always ridden single speeds only. I can help you to build a single speed out of that frame. Firstly you could buy a wheel that doesnt have a freehub but has threads that can take a freewheel. These wheels are usually cheap. Add a single speed free wheel on it, preferably an 18 teeth freewheel, you can get one for 1.5 USD. Change the chainring for a 42 t on the front. U should have one of those lying around in GCN office. And thats about it. You are set. Ohh yeah, and about those brakes, get tektro roadbike brakes... The cheapest ones u can find.since those ones dont work as shifters, they are only brake levers. Simple, cheap and effective conversion.

[@macht4turbo]

42x18 is pretty slow, would be hard tokeep up with traffic.

[@mnbv5555cxz]

I recently took my father's 1973 steel frame and converted into a single speed with a flip hub. Super fun to commute on. Also front brake only - no need for a rear brake on a fixie

[@Knight766]

Silly

[@ozmadman]

@@talonlan had no front brake!! only the fixed rear wheel

[@ozmadman]

only if you have a fixed wheel as the rear gear acts as a brake . If you have a fixed gear (freewheel) then you need two brakes as with a freewheel this you have no rear brake

[@talonlan]

@@ozmadman thank you for clarification I'll remove my previous comment

[@MrRAW1968]

Exactly, I only have a front brake on my single speed (not fixie) which works fine in Holland. Looks pretty clean and does the job ...

[@robertrousseau3381]

This is my favorite series GCN has done. Bike frames so can do so many things! Thanks so much for these. I have one frame that use for different events. I love changing around and borrowing components .

[@markbooth6745]

Great video GCN, I ride single speed all winter. I converted a road bike. It's great, it gets you fit , and less things to go wrong. 48 x 18 I use. 👍

[@michaelrobl3531]

Wow, today I was thinking about converting my old bike into a single speed, wondering if and how that could be done. And now you start this series. Brilliant mindreading!

[@cd0u50c9]

Some people dislike converting old road frames into fixies/single speed bikes, but it can be done really well to complement the frame. I have built up two fixies previously on the cheap - a 90s Tigra frame (still my favourite frame of all, including a few carbon ones) and a 90s Fondriest - both were almost bodged to work, and they both have their style and knack as the parts that were available had to be made to fit. Building up a frame from cheap and with available parts, despite limitations, can really open up opportunities to create something that will surprise you, as it ends up being not as you imagined it! Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@ChrisinOSMS]

I took my first real ride on my fixed gear this morning. It is a converted Trek 430 I picked up on FB market. I had to change the blue Chang Shen tires & add brakes. It is my first fixed gear bike, peddling is so smooth. Changed it to 48-19 Gearing & I may go with 48-17 after awhile because it is flat where I live. It came with 46-15. I can outride my confidence now so I will keep playing with it gaining more experience. It needed a half-link to tension the chain properly (1/8” single speed ). If I like riding fixed my plan is to convert it to a Gates Carbon Drive.(Strava gear name-Unchained) I will time trial it on Mt Biloxi in August (250 ft vertical gain-I said it was flat) You should install a bottle opener to the front mech mount. Build a flip-flop. Have fun with it!

[@mrziplineds5257]

Love my single speed bike! Looking forward to this series!

[@tacos8910]

It's usually 120mm spacing on a track/fixed gear bike for the rear drop outs

[@richardstratton4993]

Fixed, front brake only, 49x17 is a great commuting setup. Sram Omniums used to be the standard choice for mid-range reliable track cranks but they're unfortunately discontinued and becoming harder to find. Campy cranks might be a good alternative for this build. Could chrome it out to match the bars.

[@sneakyfox4651]

Hi Ollie. I did approximately 50.000 Km single-speed and 25.000 Km fixed-gear as a messenger. These are my recommandations. 1. Keep your gearing at around 48 x 19 or 48 x 18 on the single-speed and a little lower on the fixi for easier braking (with your legs). Consider a longer than 170 mm crank set. I use 172.5 mm on my single-speed road bike and 167 mm on my fixi track bike (for pedal clearance on cornering). You COULD keep your original crank, but on a Flip-Flop bike I'd recommend shorter pedal arms for corner clearance. 2. If the drop-out is too short, I believe you can get "half" chain links, made expressively to adjust single-speed chain tension in short drop-outs. Try and avoid chain tensioners since they take away a great deal of the beauty of the simplicity. 3. Flip-Flop is okay, but for beginners I recommend two different bikes. I tried mounting a fixed-gear wheel on my single-speed bike and nearly crashed at the very first corner since I instinctively coasted from pure habit. I then bought a track frame and used that specifically for fixi-riding (with no brakes) with just minor incidences, none of them my fault. 4. If you chose to ride fixed-gear, you MUST use wide chains and chain rings, mostly because chainrings for racing bikes will break very quickly when you brake hard by pushing back on the pedals, unless you are so lucky as to find steel chain rings that fit the dimensions. You can still use the narrow Shimano or White Indiustries (which makes double 16/18 and 17/19 freewheel coqs) single-speed freewhell coq on a wide chain, but you might as well get a wide (and cheaper) freewhell coq. 5. I understand the legal ramifications of not having brakes on a fixi-bike. However, using hand brakes, especially the front brake, on a fixi can be very hazardous since the momentum from the rear wheel translates into the frame and make the bike buck, spilling you over the handlebars. Even with two handbrakes you should learn to NEVER use them when riding fixed-gear. Ever. Learn the proper braking techniques from the simply stop pedaling to the "jump" the rear wheel on a very hard braking. After 5000 Km you'll konow what I mean. 6. I suggest starting to ride your fixi, and only that, in the winter half of the season and have a lot of fun on the wet roads. Then, in the spring, flip the wheel or change back to the freewheel bike and get a real scare the first time you turn a corner and suddenly realise how much you depended on the kick-back from the chain, and that you'll have to remind yourself that braking has something to do with pulling some levers. You will get scared shirt-less. 7. Fixed-gear side-skills to learn: Backwards circles, as many as possible until you fall or stop from dizzyness. Track-stand (two minutes with two arms and to legs, two minutes with one arm and two legs, one minute with no arms and two legs, one minute with no arms and one leg, x seconds with no arms and no legs). Skidding, full speed until a 1 meter wide stop zone (to align the pedals horizontally), then, while leaning on the handle bars, lock the rear wheel and slide as far as possible. The world record is around 130 metres. Oh, and slow race; last one to pass the finish line has won. Pedals must be continously moving. Welcome to another world! P.S. My first day on a fixi I did 100 Km. I hadn't told my dispatcher and she hurled me around that day. The next day my legs were SO soar from all the braking that I had to lean on the bannister when walking the stairs to my second floor appartment, especially down!. I was in good shape but this was really, really hurting. However, after continuing for half a year, I developed leg muscles beyond anything I'd had before. It would be fun if you did 80-100 Km in urban settings the first day and then reported back on how your legs felt the enxt day.

[@hornheavy8463]

Great project! Some nice track frames on the video footage too. Thumbs up for fixed gear geek videos!

[@dv7533]

I recently built a single speed bike out of an old steel roadster frame that had been in a fire that I stripped down and repainted, an old set of 700B wheels with a coaster brake rear hub, old 1970's steel drop bars and some old brushed aluminium flat pedals, it has no cables at all and it looks great.

[@dv7533]

@Matthew Lund I'm not sure, but if I remember correctly when I took it apart for inspection one of the parts did say Shimano, it was an old rear wheel from the 60's I think, maybe 70's, chromed steel hub, no aluminum anywhere, black painted Westwood patern steel rim. All vintage stuff.

[@ibastiasoficial]

Yes, go fixie! and please show us the process of converting the hub to flip flop. I suggest to keep just the front brake only since you'll be able to brake the rear wheel by back pedaling. Don't forget to include the spacers in your shopping list (1x5mm, 2x2mm and 1x1mm) and if you'll keep the 53T chaing ring, a 17T cog will give you about 6.54 meters of development and 17 skid patches, pretty good to save your 700x23 tires.

[@timoflynn8224]

Fascinating Ollie. I was thinking of doing the same thing some years back but lost confidence. Now.....

[@rich5818]

Cracking idea! Built my first flip flop two years ago aiming to reduce the unplanned kerbside maintenance on my commuter. The much lower price of components is really noticeable, so was able to invest in a set of encore wheels. Whatever the weather, I can literally batter my way down the east lancs road from Manchester to Liverpool and get a cracking workout without shredding my pride and joy. Great fun and makes for rock hard quads.

[@djsonfire0001]

More single speed! Great video can't wait for part 2!

[@twatts4436]

I know you mentioned it, but its important people know the details. Two brakes are a legal requirement in the UK on all bikes - riding a road bike with malfunctioning brakes can also get you in trouble! If you have a fixed gear that counts as a brake, so you only need a front brake. With a singlespeed you have to have two brakes at all times. I think flip flops are treated as a singlespeed if you ever cause a crash. But I could be wrong! If you cause injury to someone else and your bike doesn't have appropriate brakes you can be charged with the equivalent of dangerous driving - the law has a ridiculous name like "furious and wanton cycling. - and if you're really lucky you hit national papers, which goes as well as you can expect.

[@ever2gut1]

Same applies in California, probably all the US. You can legally get away with a front brake and backpedaling. I've seen plenty people run without a front brake and I have never seen it enforced. That being said, be safe out there! Wear a helmet!

[@Pratalax]

Build a wheel man!! It's so satisfying riding a wheel of your own hand, i made mine just following sheldon brown's instructions (and using a couple calculators) - would be awesome to have that experience communicated to the gcn audience.

[@martin_3146]

Hey Ollie, don't worry about the short dropouts, just use a halflink-chain and they should be plenty. KMC also makes gold ones. As many point out in the comments, just use hubs, or a wheelset with hubs, that can be converted with a wider axle. For the crankset, use 144 standard BCD with 165mm or similar short crankarms, especially because your frame doesn't have a raised BB. I'd recommend a dura ace cog and 47-19 to 49-15. Use odd toothcounts on the cogs to not get skidpatches on the tires. You can use those inline break levers to avoid having road brake leavers that make it look like a road bike and not like a nice clean track bike.

[@johnbaig3352]

I built one using an old Scott road bike, half link chains are the key! Chain tension problem solved!! 49x18 great for training too!!

[@shaunroach7829]

Fantastic!!! Looking forward to this series. Last I got a custom built single speed fatbike and love it!!! Looking forward to your build great content!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘👏👏👏👍👍

[@LewisRawlinson30]

Fixed gear is the way to go. Thickslick tyres, plenty of rubber on them to skid through. Make sure your ratios aren't evenly divisible otherwise you'll skid the same patch of your tyre all the time i.e. 48/16 is a no no.

[@M.asa.]

I thinj he'll go with a single speed. Thick slicks are nice but I find that the Vittoria randeneur or the decathlon tyres are a little more durable.

[@matthewtoh6437]

This is legitimately my favourite video in this channel as I have been messing around with my bike like this so much

[@BenRichards167]

Having done this last year, one tip I’d recommend is root retention. As a commuter it’s really convenient to ride in trainers rather than cycling specific shoes. But to do this, foot retention is still important, so some foot straps (not toe clips) make the ride much nicer especially when coupled with a wide platform pedal !

[@mikey_fixed]

I have a Cervelo P2C I’m looking to turn into fixed gear, super pumped about this series

[@Opferanstalt]

converted my fathers old Gudereit Roadbike to a fixed gear, as a city commuter its pure fun and legs got much stronger

[@paulgibbs4936]

Can't wait to see this one finished, Ollie. Looks like a fun build ahead of you.

[@colinthompson5881]

Cool project. I use single speed on road and mountain bike, not exclusively but they are great fun. Be great to see you build a wheel up 👍

[@FurySpyder]

Perfect timing, just building myself a lightweight singlespeed after loving riding around on my steel (heavy) ss this summer. For the front derailleur mount I have just fitted a chain catcher. Note also that for modern thru-axle frames the rear hub spacing (OLD) is even wider, at 142mm.

[@johnmclean7603]

Bam - perfect timing. Just converting a 30 year old Peugeot to a single speed. Really looking forward to the build!

[@darekkong7198]

Build the wheels! Bomb proof , classic looking, box section rims that work very nicely with 23mm tyres are the H Plus Son TB14.

[@saltinigui]

I´m on a project like this now, but with an old Cr-Mo lugged frame, mostly because I ran out of money. I would keed this big crank in the front, it´s very nice one, and put a big cog on the back. You will have less pressure between chain and cog/crank, good ratio and save money. Also you can cut your drop bar, make a small bullhorn and use these awsome TT brake levers!

[@Mclovinthedank]

Do a budget bike series, where the bikes are given away! Give old bikes a new life, and show people how they can do it!

[@thwaka82]

I have been contemplating turning my old 1986 Trek 460 into a single speed. This makes me really want to do it now!

[@wuzihuzi]

When you use your bike fixed on the road you won't go back to single speed, especially when you learn to skid. I love my Masi Fixie

[@geoffgovey9093]

I built a fixie from an old wreck of a bike. I put SPD pedals on it as well. As much as i tried i couldn't get on with it when riding in traffic (bit scary sometimes!). In the end i switched it to a single speed with flat pedals and riding in traffic is less daunting now!

[@wsguntoro]

Single speed steel bike 👍🏼👍🏼

[@kenneth28km]

What I did to convert my RB to a track bike was bolt the fixed gear cog to the 6-bolt disk brake mount on the hub. I had to anneal the cog before I could drill it. The chain line and tension happened to be perfect on a 52-15 ratio.

[@PatrickJamesKiernan]

Cool project! As you say, that frame looks like it would be brilliant as a Fixie. If you go the route of building wheels Velo Orange Grand Cru hubs allow you to modify the spacing of the rear end to 130 as well as track or MTB widths. Also can do the flip-flop thing.

[@GC_420]

@oliverlubes MOST IMPORTANT! What are you gonna wear while 'fixie-ing' about? Rapha or Corduroy jeans? That decision could make or break the Lube Kings build. Fixies = fashionistas!

[@randomvariablenj]

Get the lauf bottle opener for braze on mounts

[@robinparkes9]

I built my own using a Corratec frame. I also rode a Claud Butler road/track bike over 50 years ago. It had horizontal dropouts and mudguard eyes.

[@mndyD9]

Catch phrase for this video(& life): “cross those bridges when we get there” 😂👌🏻 Great video!

[@thescottishpanda5]

A Cervélo bike? I'm surprised Dan's not doing the conversion! And building a wheel would be a very interesting watch!

[@audreyrebedew7326]

Maybe you could try airless Tannus tires on this build. I'm considering putting them on my Cinelli. Would love your opinion on them.

[@dead3t3rn1ty]

^ THIS I have them on my Cinelli Vigorelli (23C) and they're fantastic.

[@jonathanshaw6784]

I hadn't heard of them, I'll consider them when i eventually wear through the tyres I have

[@benshannon3121]

Don't do it. I rode them for 2 years. Horrifically harsh ride. Pure death in the wet. Never again

[@chicodiflora]

Half link chains are the way to go when it comes to this kind of conversion, in my opinion.

[@matteocristini6221]

Noob question here, why would a half link chain be better? Thanks!

[@danucul]

Matteo Cristini it allows for a more incremental chain lenght adjustment as the individual chain segments partially overlap and are therefore shorter. Nailing the chain tension will make your conversion a success, not getting it right will make a bike you won’t want to ride.

[@matteocristini6221]

@@danucul makes sense, thank you!

[@andreheuser6757]

Half link chains are not that good on a fixed gear bike because the chain lengthens much faster while skidding.

[@nielsp.8189]

Buy a 1/8 Chain and one Half Link (1/8) .... works for me every time !

[@AltezzaDrifter]

THOSE SPECIALIZED BIKES

[@danl2294]

I would like to see some bullhorn bars. Be abit different from drop bars all the time and would also keep the TT bike feel. Look awesome too.

[@M.asa.]

Get good quality cogs and chain rings. Miche, all city, phill wood, or blb cogs are great and last a long time. Miche chainrings are cheap and round. You don't want to have uneven chain tension. With cheap cogs you won't get a good chain tension.

[@AshTray_Film]

mullet 👌 love it

[@pksangavaram]

Just got into cycling! Love this series. Subscribed and downloaded the app! Keep it up

[@gcntech]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@enzodino23]

I've got a setup like that; converted an 3*8 speed city bike to a single speed. Advantage = disadvantage: you're always i the right gear, which is always the wrong one - or the other way around. Thing is: it doesn't matter. Just have fun riding it. Oh, and it's dead cheap to maintain as well... I can invest the money I save on my commute in a proper bike :-)

[@MsStrong30]

Hi Ollie, I just bought a new gravel bike (Salsa Journyman, with Sarm Apex-1), and was thinking about turning my old Schwinn Mesa Runner into a single speed or fixie bike. After watching your video, first thing I need to do is check rear drop outs and make sure they are horizontal enough to get the correct chain tension. Thanks.

[@GraceofGosh]

sick mullet bro

[@fleurdelispens]

2 things. Thing 1: where I live (DC metro area) you don't need brakes on a fixie bike. Agree with you that it's not a good idea, but in some places it is legal. Thing 2) I'd love to see y'all do a commuter bike build. Like a bike to get around town for those of us who don't own cars

[@averageroadie6487]

Ollie, don't listen to the hair-haters. On behalf of all of us who can no longer grow hair, I call on everyone who can to let it grow and grow and grow.

[@danucul]

Singlespeed half-link chain will be the single most crucial piece of the puzzle. It will give you a better chance to nail the chain tension. Keep in mind, the further back you place the rear wheel in the horizontal drop-out, the further the brake track on your rear wheen will be from the rear brake caliper and the brake shoe could potentially touch your tire, making it unusable. Sturmey Archer hubs and freewheel sprockets are pretty good. Oh, and make sure you choose a decently easy gear. The point of these things is to use them in a city where you don’t need the top speed but the acceleration you get from an easier gear will feel great and keep you safe when accelerating away from stop lights.

[@robbchastain3036]

Thanks for installing brakes, Ollie, just to minimize bodily pain and legal drama in the event of an encounter with other vehicles or people. And dude, bro, bruh, just three terms of endearment, mate.

[@Sampardhanani]

Lovely. Looking Forward for the built up.

[@annochka]

Since you will be able to place the wheel at the very back of the dropout you could probably fit 25mm tires if you want. If you have a pair lying around id test that before getting 23mm tires. As someone else already have sudgested you can get a half-link chain to get the perfect fit, even with that short dropout. Good luck! :)

[@gcntech]

Thanks for the tips!

[@GeekonaBike]

classic lugged steel frames work well w/ their forward facing nearly horizontal dropouts.

[@eddygortex]

63inch gear ie , maybe 42x18 or 50x21 Fixie . used to do Sunday runs on an old track bike which had a higher bb , also used shorter cranks to reduce chance of grounding.fixie also good for doing track stands for momentary stops! Just a thought

[@walcottav]

For that front mech hanger, 1) as a nod to Si, turn it into a chainkeeper for that single front ring 2) as a nod to Dan, turn it into a bottle opener 3) Out of deepest respect for your colleagues, do both a chainkeeper and bottle opener 4) don't forget the Cannings gold chain, even if it blows the "budget" concept but I think that went out the window with the Cervelo frameset

[@jasongirvan6729]

Wow the rest of the GCN host need a marketing lesson from Ollie. Always making sure GCN has multiple plugs and up front use and display of their products from the shop. But where’s your brew this week Ollie?

[@johnplanteen-vo1rf]

Love my langster,but would love to build a steel frame w/o track gearing more commuter/cruiser type gears perhaps 42/17...

[@bstr3000]

definitely would like to see Ollie build his own wheel if only to see the frustration

[@ACCPhil]

Ollie, there's an option for the rear dropout spacing you don't mention. I took an old 7 speed steel frame, stuck a wheel in it (fixed gear) and did the nuts up. 125mm becomes 110mm just like that.

[@doktormoss]

I built up a single-speed commuter with a flip-flop Phil Wood hub. This is your chance! Go for a Phil! Then you get to say, "Smooooth."

[@VladislavKurashov]

If you want brakes + good look, then go with bullhorn and barend brake lever. It looks very neat and also convenient.

[@kamucho]

Ollie killing it!! How many different bikes can he turn this cervelo into? Class!! Im about to get a new bike and wanted to turn my current battered bike into a bomb proof commuter so this is perfect! 🔥🔥

[@GCNuser123]

Hill climb bike next?!

[@allyw7405]

I use to run SS on my mtb HT. However, I ended up wearing out chains like they were made of cheese, much prefer 1by. No chain length to worry about and chain last much longer.

[@michaelpegg5994]

The bike is looking great already Chesney. 😝

[@mickchaganis6607]

I built a flatbar 1X road bike from a Planet X EC130 frame, I made a chain saver to fit where the front mech mounted, cleans the frame up 😁

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

If you go for a clean look, then a one-color frame would help a lot. So Ollie, my advice is to choose a color that would make look the frame the simplest and do the repaint.

[@B_COOPER]

Well if you look at his hair… he was not exactly worried about a clean look

[@danielochoa4905]

110mm rear spacing is an older width/NJS keirin spec. I think most newer rear hubs are 120mm. You also have the option of going the way of something called a "magic gear" for vertical drop outs but your are limited with your gear ratios with that. I run a magic gear of 43x15 on vertical drop outs with a chainstay length of 45.45mm. no tensioner. Just a bit of chain stretch and a halflink.

[@yoshidanoboru6037]

Hey Ollie. Can you be sure to show how to build a single speed bike with traditional road bike rear drop outs. I think the majority of watchers interested in this project will use an old bike as opposed to having a track bike on hand. Thanks!

[@umeko204]

For anyone without experience, looking to build a SS bicycle , especially if you are doing a conversion, for everyday/urban use. You do not need a 1/8 chain set and chain. A 3/32 'multi speed' chain is more than strong enough, and the lateral flex that it is designed to have means your chain will be more forgiving of a less than perfect chain line. You also do not need track specific components. Most single speed freewheels threaded onto a traditional 'track' or 'flip flop' hub, combined with a typical 'road' crankset on a 'road' (especially shimano) bottom bracket (with a 110 to 113mm spindle) will give you a good chain line without much hassle. You also do not need a frame with horizontal rear facing or 'track' ends. An older bicycle with forward facing semi-horizontal drop outs are perfect for SS, and preferable if you would also like to fit mudguards (fenders). And for the sake of your own sanity, don't ride your potholed city streets on 23mm tyres, like Ollie.

[@GCNuser123]

23mm is all that will fit into this frame and many other frames of this age and older.

[@BT-yj8lk]

If you run into chain tension issues another way around it is, google yess bmx. They are a bmx racing company out of canada. They make a chain tensioner for vertical dropouts that is amazing. I have the etr-d but they have other options as well. I'm running a 48 tooth chainring with a 16 tooth sprocket. Javelin carbon frame with bullhorn handlebars. I love my ride

[@stijndeklerk]

Can't find the poll on the app, but yes go fo the wheel build. Btw, keep it as a TT bike for now and put a decently high gear on it that you can still manage and take it out on a flat course, it's great fun.

[@mark_10_98]

This is my kind of "BIKE BUILD", where the builder do some explanation (which is I think is NECESSARY) while doing all the work.

[@robflel]

‘Just one gear on my fixie bike, got a plus one here to my gig tonight’

[@GCNuser123]

EPIC REFERENCE. I love my life as a...... GCN Presenter...

[@driftienormie]

With long reach caliper brakes, 650B wheels are available. It makes a little bit more tire clearance. 25mm wide tires could be installed.

[@FBrodlie]

Couldn’t understand why the single speed bike my son bought had a rear cog on each side of the hub. Ollie has just solved the puzzle. Single speed and hipster fixie on a flip-flop hub! Great for delivering food orders around Glasgow. Best £180 he’s spent in a while.

[@gearmonkey]

I reckon doing the cockpit with a TT base bar or bullhorns, instead of drops would look really good, given the TT frame

[@nicolasvandermeer2145]

If you’re keen not using a chain tensioner, considering sticking with a 1/2x1/8th chain rather than 3/32 and use a BMX half link chain or even just a one single half link to join the chain