Converting 24" 3x7 drivetrain to 1x

[Bigjim]

I recently bought my son a 24" Silverback Spyke off the Hub. Its a great little bike & I can see the benefits of the 24" wheels over the 20" he had previously.

 

The drivetrain however is a Shimano 3x7 dual gripshift setup, and coming off a 1x6 gripshift, he is really struggling to get the hang of the front derailleur shifts - when to shift & how to shift a non-indexed chainring.

 

I would really like to look at changing him back to a 1x system, but don't want to lose the nice range he now has with the triple chainring, so am thinking of say a 10spd 11-42/46 on the rear. Can anyone advise me if a 10spd cassette will be able to fit on the current 7spd freehub? I suspect it is going to be a bit of a swine to remove the current cassette & I don't want to spend hours on this only to find its a no go.

 

Anyone else been down this route? 

 

   

[droo]

7sp will probably be a spin-on, in which case you're in for a new hub and wheel rebuild.

 

If it's a freehub it should work, but it'll most likely cost you more than the bike.

[Stall_Gear]

Spec sheet says hub is threaded, ie cannot take a modern cassette. to go 8sp or higher is gonna require a full wheel or rebuild.:

HUBS:

Rear: 24H, QR, Adjustable cup and cone angular contact bearings, Threaded, Black, Front: 24H, QR, Adjustable cup and cone angular contact bearings, Black

 

Maybe try lockout the front in the middle chainring for a ride or 2, and see how he handles? Cos the wheels are only 24", the ratio is a lot easier than on a 29er... Then if he's happy, pull the other rings off and put on a guide?

[Eugene]

Give him a chance, he'll adapt to 3 speed quicker than you think.

[Bigjim]

Thanks for the feedback guys - a pity the conversion won't work.

 

Stall_Gear - the small chainring really helps him tackle some of the slightly steeper trails in Giba that were previously off limits, hence me wanting to try and find a solution that is simpler to master, but with a similar gear range.

 

Perhaps I can source a wider ratio 7spd cassette, alternatively he (we) is just going to have to persevere with trying to learn how the front chainrings work.

 

Much appreciated    

[Kalahari Vegmot]

You could get this:

 

http://harriscyclery.net/product/shimano-14-34-thread-on-7-speed-freewheel-megarange-778.htm

[Beerfan]

I have done the same on my twins bikes. Converted the 3x7 to a 1x10 and the 3x8 to a 1x 10.

Cost me two newish back wheels(26”) so luckily plenty available. I fixed the front derailleur on the middle ring with the adjuster screws then removed the cable and shifter. The derailleur acts as a good chain guide. Left the other rings on. Had to change the shifter for the rear and the derailleur obviously. 10speed chain works well on the crank sets. Next It now depends on if your bike is a disk brake or rim brake set up, this will cause a probl m if the shifter and brakes are all in one. This is where it gets tricky. Good luck.

[Grebel]

Thanks for the feedback guys - a pity the conversion won't work.

 

Stall_Gear - the small chainring really helps him tackle some of the slightly steeper trails in Giba that were previously off limits, hence me wanting to try and find a solution that is simpler to master, but with a similar gear range.

 

Perhaps I can source a wider ratio 7spd cassette, alternatively he (we) is just going to have to persevere with trying to learn how the front chainrings work.

 

Much appreciated  

 

What about looking at adjusting the limit screws to only allow the small and middle rings? If the FD isn't indexed then he only has two options and doesn't have to "find" the middle ring. Leave the big ring and you have the option of adjusting the screws later for him to have all three rings available.

 

My son went from a single speed 16" to a 6 speed 20" and that opened up a whole host of new trails he could ride with me. We went from the Waterfall trail every weekend to now riding the Giba Green route. He has to get off and push some of the hills and switchbacks for now but he is really enjoying his riding a lot more. Looking forward to getting him onto a 3x 24"