Building First Single Speed - need Help plus other plans

[Paul Ruinaard]

Okay so I am starting with a road single speed as i have all the bits and a spare roadbike frame. Frame is an old Trek 5500. Some questions:

 

1.) Major issue is the crank - what crank to use. Do I just use any crank and use a single ring. Are there any really good cranks that you can recommend that I can order or CRC/CWC

2.) If i dont have horizontal dropouts do I need a tensioner? Can you get an after market eccentric BB that will fit a standard thread

3.) What thread does Trek run - I think being american it is English - I cant remember. Alwya had italian frames.

4.) Where do you get the pretty coloured chains etc ?

5.) Do you need front and back brakes ?

6.) What tyre width - 26mm or bigger ?

 

Any tips or tricks ?

 

Plan is to build this and learn from it and then see what else I like. If I like it I will build a single speed MTB but that will cost me.

 

Other ideas are a fatbike (anyone built one?) Not sure what i will do with it in JHB. Anyone got one?

[quintonb]

Take a look at the links.

I have a 1988 Cannondale "Black Lightning" built as a SS,

I used these cranks and chain tensioner, both brilliant.

You can also use a "half link" chain and do away with a chain tensioner.

 

I would say Trek use an English BB Thread.

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17724

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75323

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31089