Single-speed?

Having just been made redundant from my 'day job' I'm looking at upping the ante on some of my other projects. This'll mean I'll be commuting across town to my warehouse/workshop rather than working from home.

I'm contemplating a single-speed for the blat across town, so the question is convert or buy?

I've got an ancient CroMo Kona Caldera which I only really use for pottering around Grafham on, with the wee man in his seat behind me. But the Charge Plug has rather caught my eye.

Thoughts?

I have a Charge Plug for going to football on (can wear my astros instead of cleats)

I do love it, plus the option for single or fixed is always nice. I suppose you could get a reversible hub for yours though.

Sorry to hear about your redundancy.

The problem with the Kona is it's a MTB so doesn't have sliding drop-outs for chain tensioning. I suspect that would limit the possibility of going fixie on it as any chain tensioners would get destroyed when resisting the motion. I'm also not sure if there are fixie hubs for geared bikes.

I have got an idea for a chain tensioner that would be robust enough, and I could machine a hub which would work, but that's starting to get into serious bike-geek territory.

How do you find the Plug for sizing?

hi Feef, you can buy these from china,,,they are ALL made there..look on the web,, they are about £250..i am going to try and upload a photo of a bike shop in San Francisco quite fascinating i have just bought a track fixed frame, alloy with carbon forks, i have all the bits and pieces to build it up when i get over next,,having spent the first 5 years of my cycling life peddling a 72 fixed in summer and a 59 fixed in winter i am looking forward to getting out on it..will try foto upload..G,,

I've been pleased with my Langster, although when I decide to replace it I'll probably buy a steel frame and build it myself.

Edinburgh Cycle Coop are also worth a look, good bikes and reasonable prices. I use their revolution courier used for - good tough bike and needs to be as it uses the NCN. But this offering of theirs might be of interest if you're looking for new www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolu...icycles%2froad-bikes ... and not quite so common as the plug

hereare the pickies G

Hmmm this looks interesting

www.bankruptsurplus.co.uk/Frames_B25BQP.aspx

hi I have a few more ? G

Have to say that does look nice Richard

Noticed the other day Broken Spoke have some Condor branded SS wheels for £100

I got all the gear to convert my hybrid from here www.charliethebikemonger.com/

Made the bike a good winter/commuter hack, I would get the best tensioner you can afford... The surly one is great.

As for ratios I use 42:16 just about right for most road riding.

snap on the gearing