Fixed-gear bikes are often preferred for certain types of riding where constant control of the pedals is important. Pedals on fixed-gear bikes rotate continuously when the bike is rolling, making it impossible to coast with your feet on the pedals or mount the bike using a pedal. Converting a fixed-gear bike for recreational riding and cruising is relatively uncomplicated. Bike shops and accessory outlets carry single-speed freewheel sprockets that adapt to most rear hubs. Mechanical aptitude and bicycle tools are needed to change a fixed gear to forward and back cranks.
Step 1
Turn the bike over onto the seat and handlebars. Put a piece of carpet or a towel down first to prevent scratches.
Step 2
Loosen and remove the axle nuts and rear wheel with a metric socket affixed on a ratchet. Push the rear wheel forward in the frame arms and lift the chain off the rear sprocket. Take the wheel off the bike.
Step 3
Stand the rear wheel on the floor. Attach a cone wrench on the flats of the cone nut between the sprocket and the wheel hub. Attach an adjustable wrench on the sprocket nut at the outer face of the sprocket.
Step 4
Hold the handle of the cone wrench steady with one hand as you loosen and remove the sprocket nut with the adjustable wrench. Save the nut and remove the fixed-gear sprocket from the hub by hand.
Step 5
Position the new freewheel sprocket at the wheel hub with the sprocket facing out. Align the notches on the hub with the grooves on the freewheel. Push the freewheel sprocket firmly against the hub.
Step 6
Thread the saved sprocket nut clockwise onto the freewheel sprocket by hand. Tighten it with the adjustable wrench. The cone wrench is not needed as a backup to tighten the sprocket nut.
Step 7
Position the rear wheel at the frame arms with the sprocket on the chain side of the bike. Slide the axle into the slots on the frame arms. Thread the saved axle nuts clockwise onto the axle by hand. Loop the chain onto the rear sprocket.
Step 8
Pull the rear wheel straight back until the chain has 1/4-inch deflection up and down. Align the wheel evenly between the frame arms and tighten the axle nuts securely with the socket and ratchet.
Step 9
Turn the bicycle upright. Ride the bike and become familiar with the free rotation of the pedal cranks when you pedal backward.
Tips and Warnings
- Some sprockets require a removal tool that's specific to a lock ring or spline nut. Obtain the appropriate removal tool at a bike shop or bicycle accessory outlet. It might be necessary to loosen or remove a rear brake caliper to take the rear wheel off.
Things You'll Need
- Metric sockets and ratchet
- Cone wrench
- Adjustable wrench
- Single-speed freewheel sprocket
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