Commuter bike rebuilt as a single-speed

The renovation story

The gears on this one were shot and replacing the drivetrain cost more than the bike. Converting to single-speed removed the problem entirely, dropped 1.4kg, and made it far more sellable to city riders. Tan bar tape did more for the photos than anything mechanical.

DIY guide

1. 1

   Strip the drivetrain

   Remove derailleurs, shifters and cables. Keep the bolts — you'll want them.

2. 2

   Fit the conversion kit

   Spacers and a single cog on the freehub, then dish the chain line straight.

3. 3

   Set chain tension

   Use the horizontal dropouts or a tensioner; you want about 1cm of vertical play.

4. 4

   Wrap and detail

   Fresh tan tape, degrease the frame, polish the rims. Photograph in daylight.