Convert Single Speed Bike To Geared
A single-speed bike is great as it is but there are times when you want to change that to a geared bike. This can be useful if you are tired of pedaling with one speed and want to change to a higher speed. You can also manage to enjoy an interesting cycling experience with a geared bike. This blog will look at how to convert from a single-speed to geared bike.
If you want to get the most out of your cycling, you will want to convert your single-speed bike to a geared bike. This article explains how to do it and offers other information, such as how to choose the right bike gear for you. Some cyclists want to convert single-speed bikes to geared bikes.
Contents
How to convert single speed bike to geared
In this article, I’m going to help you convert your single-speed bike to a geared bike.
Buy a geared hub
The first step is to buy a geared hub. You can buy them at any bicycle store. The hub should look like a wheel with a small cluster of gears on it.
Remove the rear wheel
The second step is to remove the rear wheel from your bike. Doing this can be a bit tricky and might require you to use an Allen wrench.
Remove the cog
The third step is to remove the cog and any other parts on your wheel to match the hub you bought.
Attach the hub
The fourth step is to attach the hub to the bike and tighten the nuts to secure it.
Remove Grip
Take your grip off the handlebars. You can secure the shifter pod by applying the grip to the handlebars. Make sure the shifter cable is neatly secured to the bike frame leading to the rear axle.
Attach the rear derailleur
Attach the rear derailleur to the frame and then lead the cable to the rear derailleur’s cable slot.
Assemble the bike
Assemble the bike and position the chain in the middle of the rear cog. Make sure all the parts are assembled correctly. Test all things before going out for a ride.
Things You’ll Need To Convert Single-Speed Bike To Geared
- Geared hub
- Shifter pod
- Rear Derailleur
- Allen wrench
Things to consider while buying a bike gear
Most single-speed bikes can be converted to geared bikes by purchasing a gear kit. There are a variety of gear kits available, so it is important to choose the right one for your bike and riding style. Some basic factors to consider when selecting a gear kit are:
Cadence
Cadence is the number of times your pedals rotate each minute. The lower the cadence, the more revolutions per minute you are making and the slower your bike will go. Most geared bikes require a cadence of around 75 to 80 RPM.
Pedal size
Pedal size refers to the diameter of your pedals. The larger they are, generally speaking, the easier it will be to ride in low gear due to their wider surface area/footprint on the pedal.
Torque
Torque refers to the amount of force needed to turn a gear. The bigger the torque, generally speaking, the stronger your gears will be and the more difficult it will be to change gears. Some geared bikes require as much as 25 ft/lbs of torque to shift into low gear.
How to adjust bike gearing?
Once you have selected a gear kit for your bike, you need to adjust them if there is any problem. To do this, you need only two tools-
- Allen wrenches
- Bike stand
It is important to remove the screws that hold your derailleur in place (these are usually located on the down tube near the bottom bracket).
Next, loosen all of the bolts that hold your gearbox in place.
Finally, move your gears around by loosening and tightening each bolt until you have arrived at the desired gearing.
Once you have completed these steps, reinstall all of the screws and bolts and test your bike out to make sure everything is working correctly.
Difference between hub gear, cassette gear, and chain drive?
Here is a brief info about these three gears.
Hub gear
Hub gear is the most common type of gear. It’s a mechanical system that transfers power from your cranks to your wheel by means of a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
Cassette gear
Cassette gears are similar to hub gears, except that they use punched-hole metal plates instead of ratchets and pawls.
Chain drive
A chain drive is the most popular type of gearing on geared bikes because it’s reliable, low maintenance, and easy to use. It works by connecting your bike’s cranks to a series of sprockets that rotate the chain, which in turn turns the wheel.
Installing The Chain On a Geared Bike
1) On a geared bike, there are usually 3 chainrings that go around the outside of the crank arm. You will need to determine which one your bike has before proceeding. If your bike has a single chainring, you will need to skip this step.
2) Align the large cog on the front wheel with one of the three chainrings on the crank arm. Use your wrench to tighten down on the bolt that connects this gear to the crank arm. Keep in mind that if you are using an 8- or 10-speed bicycle, each gear should be shifted one notch further towards the rear than it is when using a 7- or 6-speed. Do not worry, you will get used to this once you start riding!
3) For bikes that have dual chainrings, rotate the large cog on the front wheel so that it is aligned with one of the two smaller cogs. Then use your wrench to tighten down on bolts again connecting this gear to the crank arm.
4) For bikes that have triple chainrings, align both large cogs on your front wheel with either one of three smaller chainsets. Use your wrench to tighten down the bolts connecting these gears to the crank arm.
5) Install your rear wheel by re-aligning the large cog on it with one of the three chainrings on the crank arm. Use your wrench to tighten down the bolts connecting this gear to the crank arm.
6) If you have a front derailleur, now is a good time to install it. Shift each gear towards the front until everything is in place and snugged down. If you don’t have a front derailleur, you’re done!
Benefits of converting single speed bike to a geared bike
- A geared bike provides more power and is easier to pedal than a single-speed bike.
- Gearing can make a bike faster or more comfortable to ride, depending on the gear ratio.
Single Speed VS Multi-Speed Bike
A single-speed bike is the original type of bike. It has one gear that you can change with your foot, and they are more challenging to pedal because you have to use your whole body.
A multi-speed bike has multiple gears, which makes it easier to pedal because you only have to use your feet to change gears.
How Much Does It Cost To Put Gears On A Bike?
The cost of gears varies depending on the size and type of gear required, but it is generally cheaper to buy a new gear set than to install them oneself. It costs $50 to $70 if you want to install a new one on your bike.
Final Thoughts on Convert Single Speed Bike To Geared
This post is about how to convert single-speed bikes to geared ones. There are many ways to do this, and many different opinions on the best ways to do it. So we tried to give you some information on all the different options, and let you make the choice that works best for you.
We hope you enjoyed our article about bike gearing. If you have any other questions about bike gearing, please contact us anytime at. Thank you for reading, and we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this!
