A Single Speed Schwinn

Question:
I want to convert my old bike A Schwin Super Le Tour to a single speed. What is the cheepest way to do this.
Do they use direct drive? What about breaks.

Hi Mark,

You Schwinn is easily made into a single speed bike; the most expensive way is to make it direct drive, so I would forget that method. The cheapest way is to first split the chain and then take the front and rear derailleurs off and all of the gear cables etc. Now choose which size of gear would suit your cycling needs. I would suggest using the inside chain ring, which I guess has 42 teeth and a middle sprocket, perhaps the 16 or 15 depending on the terrain in your area. This will also give the chain a straight line, which is best for the chain. This way also means you don't have to spend any money.

Now the next more expensive way is that first you need to check if the rear wheel is threaded or a cassette, if it is threaded then you can take off the sprocket/freewheel and replace it with either a single freewheel or a fixed sprocket, a fixed sprocket is like track riders use. Then remove the derailleur's and reconnect the chain to the correct length and away you go. Now if you are going to use a single freewheel you need both brakes to stop you. If you are going for the fixed wheel option you don't need to have the rear brake as you use your legs to slow you down, this has the disadvantage that you need strong legs, but it does strengthen them. With a fixed wheel you must never forget about it, because if you do you can have lots of problems, as the wheel you have to remember to keep your legs turning or you either shoot up into the air or fall off.

You can leave the double chain set on, but if you want to change to a single it will cost a bit as you will need a more narrow bottom bracket, the easiest thing would be to take off one of the chain rings but this can mess up the chain line.

It's probably best to leave both brakes on as this makes stopping much easier and safer. You need both brake levers for your hands anyway, so you might as well leave well alone. Good luck and let us know how you get on.