Help needed with Bike parts

Hedge

Hedge

Hedge

Soldato
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Hey people,

I made a post in the bike thread but I didnt get a response so Id appreciate if anyone can help me out here.

Well, its basically to help my 12yr old Nephew out.

His bike is this http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/carrera/blast-24-boys-2009

However it needs new tyres and Id like to make it into a little jump bike for him as he is always riding down the skateboard park.

Can you please direct me to some parts to convert it into a single speed job please.

Decent flat tyres etc.

Any help appreciated. I wanna get parts together and either do it myself or get local bike shop to fit em.
 
A Maxxis Holy Roller should do the job for the tyre.
I personally wouldn't bother making it a singlespeed, as I don't think he'd reap much benefit from it. Not trying to be silly, but can't he just stick it in the ehaviest gear and stick to it when he's hitting the dirt jumps?

Ive never had a SS bike, but you'd need a SS specific chain, hub ( I think) , casette and chainring. Maybe it's best just to get him a BMX if it's Dirt Jumps/Skatepark he wants to ride?
 
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Ideally I would buy him a BMX but Im on a budget right now and his bike is sitting there with bald tyres and poor gears/grips etc.

Even if it works out a temperary measure I think he would still enjoy using it just to practice on. Hes not going to be chucking it about too agressively as I dont think he would be capable yet.

Its a nice light frame and decent condition so hopefully I can spruce it up until he gets a decent bmx I suppose :)
 
I understand, it's just that converting a bike like that into singlespeed might turn out expensive for the amount of hassle it is.

Given that you will need to buy the parts and wanting to take it to a bikeshop, who will then also charge ya to fit it.
 
Kenda small block 8 are popular dirt jump/street tyres.
I agree with supercow about not bothering with singlespeed, just take off one of the front chainrings and replace it with a bashguard.

If you really want to convert to singlespeed:
I guess that a kid on a 24" bike wont have too much power so you'll be fine using the chain/sprockets that you already have, rather than a wider chain, sprockets and chainring that you'd usually find on a singlespeed.
You'll need a spacer kit to replace the sprockets you remove from the cassette (just use whichever sprocket is already on it that gives the best ratio), and a tensioner. Remove one of the front chainrings and shifter. You'll also need a new chain. (and a chain tool)

Shouldnt cost much more than £40 to do:
£10 each for spacer kit and tensioner.
£5-£10 for chain tool
£10 for chain

edit: looked at prices for magic links to re-use old chain, edited to use new chain as it doesnt cost much more
 
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Dont suppose you could link me some parts to order please?

Im really clueless about what Im going for. Ill definitely just get a smaller front Sproket/Chainring and just leave the back as it is.

I have a chain tool somewhere I think :)
 
The stuff Touch linked to is good.
I'm wondering if you are going to have problems fitting the singlespeed kit though - I don't know how wide the freehub is - it looks a bit thin to me. How many gears does it have?

You could end up having to grind down one of the spacers to make it fit.

Also another vote for the Maxxis Holy roller.
I had some dirt jump Kenda tyres a while back and they didn't have traction in the rain - I tried to turn a corner at low speed and next thing I knew I was sliding under a car coming the other way. Snapped fork, not fun.
 
You can't fit a bash to that chainset as they're all rivetted together rather than using 104bcd 4 bolt.

I'd maybe just get a SS kit for the back. I'm sure that runs a cassette so the kit will work and then just use a SS chain on the middle ring at the front then remove both gear mechanisms.

You might struggle to get the correct chain tension due to the vertical dropouts and might need to fit a half link chain.

You could pick up a mongoose logo bmx for under £150 which might work out easier, and cheaper, for you if you end up getting a bike shop to fit things.
 
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