Bike Gear Brake

Bike Gear Brake

Is it possible to make a fixed-gear bicycle from a 18-speed mountain bike with the direct-pull brakes?

Yes, you can turn it into a fixie. The methods are the same as for any other frame, mountain bike or not. Even if you have vertical dropouts you can do this.

I’m assuming you have a 7-spd rear freewheel on there. If so, your rear spacing is probably 126mm, but it’s possible that it’s 130mm. I’d recommend that you buy a fixed-gear hub and have it laced to your rim, or just buy a fixed rear wheel if that’s cheaper. Surly and Phil Wood make hubs that will work for you and there are several other brands out there to choose from. I really recommend getting a dedicated fixed hub, or a flip flop (fixed one side, freewheel on the other)…..you might get some answers that suggest you use your current freewheel hub with a thread-on fixie cog and a bottom bracket lockring. The disadvantage there is that the lockring will have normal right-hand threads and can loosen up while riding (or doing skid-stops), whereas a true fixed hub will use a left-hand threading for the lockring.

Other than that, you just need to set it up and adjust for proper chainline, chain length, tension, etc. on one or both ends of the drivetrain….just like any other fixie.

Hope that helps….if you need more just post up again. )