How to Build a Single Speed Bike #12-Tension Your Single Speed Chain

coasties.com How to attach and tension your single speed chain. And an extra, unpleasant surprise.

[@matthewbascom]

Coaster brakes on a street bike. That's the dopest. This video inspired me to rejuvenate a 1970s 27" Hawthorne racing bike made in England. When I bought it, I put on cyclecross tires & used it to tear up gravel roads until the French derailer got totally mangled. It sits in a pile of broken bikes, but this bike now has a coaster brake in its future.

[@LRGHMN]

The key phrase was it's your bike !! You built it , you designed it , it's your vision of what a bike should or shouldn't be . It's not some off the rack corporate designed bike and that alone should make you smile !! : )

[@terapiu]

No matter how hipster you are, you will never be a warm-weather scarf wearing, single speed building hipster like this one.

[@ehssanmalamiri]

hey dude. just want to say thanks for taking the time to do this write up. i'm kind of glad you ran into the tensioning problem, so we could all see how to sort that out! peace from Melbourne Australia!

[@MarcShoup-lr5bw]

Very reliable I’ve had it for over 3 months and I love every single second I ride it!

[@durable1988]

Your tip about 'walking' the wheel back to tensioned the chain saved me a lot of grief! Thanks a lot fo this video!

[@darkangel242009]

Always appreciate the "how-to's" for bicycles. And that you wear Crocs. Absolutely swear by them. Much thanks.

[@johnlongstaff4202]

Thank you so very much for an extremely well done series. Loved it!

[@zirconce]

Good method in centering the rear wheel at the end of the process. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Sanctification22]

+Jason Loke I'm going to try that method out tomorrow. I have a chain tensioner but I'm having trouble centering the wheel while using it.

[@Nieghorn]

Great video series. Lots of steps, clearly explained. For people without such an ideal frame, a chain tensioner can help when you've got no other option but the frame you have.

[@32jaf]

Starting my single speed project as soon as I find a frame that fits me. These vids helped a lot so I'll def be coming back for help along the way.

[@natemorte]

I remember when that frame was new 86-87ish Schwinn had lifetime warranty back so those frames where built to last. Glad to see they're still getting some use.

[@ade_brown]

Good to see a KZbin video about repairing, recycling, or rebuilding something that gives advice and the proper direction with power tools. Well done, and good video

[@inkwia]

Great instruction. You explained each step in a concise way that was easy for me to understand. Thank You.

[@bartl.7390]

Whoa I didn't see that coming. Twist ending. You are the Shyamalan of KZbin.

[@drupaljoe]

This video series has taught me more about bike maintenance and conversion than any book ever did. ;p

[@fielddrum]

Awesome set of videos! I learned a lot - I wish I'd watched them before I learned a lot the hard way on my first conversion! Thanks!

[@aceofspadeslandscapelesson8219]

Haha as soon as you said the drop out had a weird stopper on it my first thought was "GRIND IT OFF" lol. Awesome vid

[@prettynitty0131]

Very good item. Worked very well.

[@jihadsquad07]

the bike he's working on does coast. it's a coaster brake, so when you back pedal, that's your brake, just like the kids bike you probably grew up on. also, doing a chain on a fixed gear or a single speed coasting road bike is exactly the same. make sure it's tight and get the chain line as straight as possible.

[@Quodge]

4:02 Try looking in or around Isengard..

[@HeavenReservation]

Thanks, that was a great video. Don't worry about all those negative comments below, Lots of information, well worth the time,

[@comethiburs1154]

agreed.

[@DrSagaciousone]

Great job!!! I really learned a lot. Now, I want one of those coaster breaks on my pure fix bike. Thank so much!

[@sanseijedi]

This is a very helpful series & I respect your coaster commitment. Re: the filled-in drop out, I hear your respect for the ol' angle grinder, though nothing beats it for speedy removal of metal (and skin and various body parts). I'm not objecting to your method at all, but I might have tried a centerpunch & drill at the back, stepping the bit up to match the inner radius, then a good hacksaw to remove the rest, followed by files. Not as quick, but safer. Just a thought.

[@sacoldplay]

respect ! booyakasha .. watched them all . very informative and you explain things well thanks

[@alldadsunited]

excellent "HOW TO"!!! Thanks Johnny.

[@shogekimura]

"if you've never used an angle grinder, you probably shouldn't" haha loved that line

[@sennabullet]

Thanks heaps for this series!!! Well done.

[@MobileCabinWorks]

Kudos on the scarf removal! Safety first! I've had angle grinders do scary things. You did a good job though. I would have carved that derailer mount off too. Cheers!

[@BikeCoasties]

@Xcokedav096 It was a combination of luck and practice. You can flip the rear cog on a coaster brake (they are dished) and you can put the front chainring on the inside or outside of the crankset, as you need.

[@MRay-zj4ro]

Will any videos on how to wrap a scarf be forthcoming? Great video though! :)

[@MrM00stache]

Nice man, definitely learned a lot. Going to find and convert my first 10 speed now.

[@0fficer47]

I have a similar frame, Single speed too!!

[@diemturner5755]

My favorite line comes at 5:50 when you begin with, "And I think the only time I would actually do this is if...." and in my head I'm already finishing the sentence with, "...I was doing a tutorial on how to do this properly and what procedures you should avoid." That was gold. And just one tip...when you're recording its one thing if you say something two or three times, but when you repeat the same thing after a cut that you JUST SAID before the cut (like was it really necessary to explain the left over molding in the right cutout twice in the space of 49 seconds?) makes it seem like either a.) you think we're too stoned to remember what you said 30 seconds ago or, the more likely variant b.) you were way too stoned while you were editing this down and totally spaced that you had already given us that information. But being the thorough stoner that you are and having deemed this a key feature of the tutorial, it took a priority one slot in your director mind's eye. Thanks for the info tho. it took a while,but we finally got there.

[@ESPhotolicious]

"This is not a screwdriver"...I'm most definitely co-opting that phrase next time someone asks to use one of my power tools! Also, I'd like to make an alternate suggestion of using a dremel to cut out a dropout like that (although I'm sure others have suggested that over the years). If you don't know what you're doing, angle grinders be scary, yo.

[@TheGeotrek]

Great series of vids, thank you!

[@simonsimon4131]

I think the dropout hasn't been cut out as much as the other one due to it being designed to work with a derailer. It might be so to make sure that the rear wheel is in the correct position to run smoothly over the derailer/gears. I have seen quite a few bikes which have been cut out fully, but have a rubber insert on one side, basically filling the back part (the part that you grinded).

[@blipco5]

Great series. Ride well.

[@peterboruta2946]

Nice , thanks for the hint on chain tensioning. though hand held 'round file' might have been safer to use (& slower) to remove the metal from the drop out.

[@JakeOlsonTheSnake]

excellent, excellent video. thanks much!

[@jojofixer]

How about wedging the appropriate sized rubber ball between the tire and frame for tension? A knotted shop rag works on some.

[@ieatmidget]

Helpful videos.

[@amartinjoe]

EXCELLENT!! thanks for posting.

[@nikolakarovic6509]

dude actually grinded the shit out of his drop outs instead of just buying a half link chain for 20 bucks

[@shogekimura]

oh and good job on the grinding, looks perfect!

[@plutoplatters]

grind off the derailleur mount while you're at it ! dont think that would jeopardize the frame strength at all...

[@clintmarcham]

Thanks very much for the informative video.

[@bradleysuarez4]

Good video

[@mbgrg]

8:05 after the skid the chain lose the tension again... watch feets going back and forward without movement. you need reajust the hub or give more wrench to the cog/lockring.

[@legomonster608]

You need a lot of luch when using vertical dropouts , i have 2 mtb that i was able to convert to single speed with ni problems and just the right tension on the chain , i also have one that i had to get half links for becouse the chain was a bit too long or too short

[@Shapoopy28]

Schwinn filled in the dropout because the frame is set up for a Derailleur setup. Not single speed.

[@canobenitez]

+Thomas Hill was thinking the same thing, i'm sure the chain line isn't proper alligned either, these frames were not made for 1 gear. conversion are a pain in the ass in the long run.

[@xxxStitchxShadowsxxx]

I don't normally do this, but... 1:35 The "infinite wisdom" comment. Schwinn made great bikes back in the day and this frame was clearly never meant for single speed or fixed gear use by the spacing of the rear dropouts and the derailleur hanger, so they didn't design the frame for optimal chain tensioning. So, I mean it isn't Schwinn's fault. I don't know, it just came off as slightly spiteful to me.

[@abelfrankenTV]

love the scarf

[@gunnyusmc89]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice job but how much are thos rims...? never bought them i work with alot of older restore jobs but never upgrade to that type of wheel...

[@conradsenior5843]

What size are those wheels? And what kind of tires did you choose?

[@santana1611]

Hey dude, you're just like Hugh Laurie!

[@pl21zback]

What type of wheel should I be looking for if I still want the less bulky but traditional brakes?!

[@TonyJoyVlogs]

I have a question sir, i got a fixed gear and I want to add a freewheel on the other side, my fixed gear is 17t. Is it ok to have +1-1t freewheel cog? will I get any problems with my chain?

[@MakY19P3rU]

I have a question I want change my road bike to single speed but the frame material affect in same way? is a aluminum frame please answer this thank you.

[@Spawnoverkil420]

cant i just shorten chain to fit into the middle rear sprocket and middle front sprocket and take off the shifters and cables?...i have an old fashioned 10 speed road bike and i have put an 80cc motorkit on with no real issue, but i cant fit the derailleur in front due to spacing with motor. Now without it the chain slips off pretty easy . just curious before cutting my chain, can i just run shorter chain and leave sprockets as is and remove mechanics for shifting?

[@slizzeredinablizzard]

so buying a new wheel set makes it un necessary for spacers in the rear cog... because ive been looking at conversions where people take the multiple rear cogs off then add spacers, this way seems way better... all you need is a new wheelset and a chain right?

[@MissHitAllTheTime]

can i convert my bike that has vertical dropout into a fixed gear using a chain-tensioner? i was able to do it with single speed using a chain-tensioner?

[@stringsbytoby]

I like what you did, all except the new wheels. Can you do another video showing the conversion of the 5 speed rear wheel to a coaster brake, or freewheel hub? I just don't see the point of putting $150 wheels on a bike you would pay $50 for.

[@Xcokedav096]

How did you get that nice straight chainline? :O Was that just coincidental?

[@recepmain566]

Gracias!

[@thekapow]

What about chain tensioners? i see alot of single speed kits come with those, are they any good?.. sorry for bad english and my lack of knowledge xD

[@wallybud2008]

Can you put a coaster brake on an old 10 speed? I'm rebuilding a 10 speed but would like to lose the cable and front/rear brakes

[@michaelkrokat-foth1012]

Walter Lodzinski o

[@GOJU4LIFE1]

is there a episode 13?

[@MissHitAllTheTime]

how does coaster brake work?

[@BikeCoasties]

So true!

[@sofakingslow371]

Where can I buy those wheels

[@danieloduntan1983]

great vids

[@QuasiTraction]

I'd use a round file or a dremel to file down the dropout. Angle grinder just seems overkill and too great a possibility for error. Just my $.02

[@Uriel2129]

does anyone else think this guy is FUCKING AUSOME???

[@conradsenior5843]

Why didn't you grind off all the bosses and extraneous metal? I would have kept the front brake.

[@ChoctawFlute]

You should send Schwinn an invoice/bill for finishing their job on the back drop out.

[@BikeCoasties]

Yup!

[@Goriaas]

why schwinn didn't allow more chain tensioning adjustment in the dropout is cause it's a freaking road frame and NOT a track/fixed frame, how does he not know that? track frames that are designed for fixed have the horizontal dropout at the back and for sure DON'T have a derrailleur hanger....

[@LenR6]

i wouldn't use an angle grinder.... I would first use a drill to make a hole at the end (makes the size and the bend), and then use a metal saw to saw out the leftover peace in the beginning... that is a beginner recomendation ! better do it with hard work slowing forward, than to get overexited and make a mistake and ruin the whole thing...

[@uncommongarage2]

Um...one small issue. Coaster brake bikes are in no way, shape, or form fixies. They are single speeds, not fixed gears.

[@Pandaspissed]

my fixed geared bikes chain tension moves between tight and loose. the tension is not constant. is this normal? how do i fix it?. so that its constantly the same tension

[@29hf3qi]

Austin Boldt it's never always at the same tension. And that's totally normal because the chainring has a slightly oval shape. Now, try to fix your rear wheel in the dropouts at that point where your chainring pulls the chain at its highest tension.

[@fredgarvinMP]

Austin Boldt That is the curse of single speed.

[@nineoneoh]

cool!

[@simonsimon4131]

they don't work with back pedalling brakes, because they work with the tension of the chain.

[@sunbob_]

i was sure this was gonna be a sketch with Hugh Laurie when i saw the thumbnail...

[@0fficer47]

Yea i had problem with that. Until I flipped it from the outside in :)

[@baranirajr5086]

Supper

[@hoppinonabronzeleg]

Well 1:30 why not get some rat tail files and file that horizontal drop out back to gain some more movement then!!!

[@Neptune8]

Didn't think a skid was possible on a coaster

[@al1080p]

DO NOT use an angle grinder. Use goggles and a drill and drill the frame

[@flannelslippers]

poor hipster had to take his summer scarf off to do some angle grinding.

[@joshuaneal9965]

U should send me that frame u have on the fence

[@bruhmaxxer]

Use a lime instead of an angle grinder

[@jpb10]

dat scarf

[@AutsajderRR]

I wish you good luck when you'll have emergency braking on wet road on such bike...

[@oioioi09]

so this is how to do a fixed gear bike what would I need to make a single speed where I could still coast?

[@ajuk1]

I don't think no front brake is road legal.

[@cy4629]

oh u know this was filmed in 2011

[@jorgeizDShiznit]

Never under estimate a screw driver..

[@ericmcginnis2097]

I have never understood why someone would want to convert to a single speed.

[@nishaalisha3592]

wao