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What is the best Rear Derailleur for single speed to 3 speed conversion

5 min read

Asked by: Kathy Bell

Can you convert a single-speed bike to a 3 speed?

It can be done for some frames, but not most. Again, the simplest option is if the bike manufacturer for your bike model already has a single- to multi-speed conversion kit available for your bike model. Some bike manufacturers, for some bike models, have single- to multi-speed conversion kits.

How do you convert single speed to multi-speed?


Quote from video: Into a single speed bike in 10 easy steps step number one remove the bicycle chain from your bike. Use a chain tool to do that. Step two remove the shift cables and housings from your bicycle.

How do I know what derailleur I need?

If you are replacing an existing derailleur on a bike, simply count the number of cogs on your cassette and you’re good to go. If your drivetrain’s speed is an unknown quantity, you can count the number of steps that your shifter runs through and add ‘one’ to determine the number of gears your drivetrain has.

What is the difference between short cage and long cage derailleur?

Quote from video: So that cage has had to move right forward. Now the longer the cage the more of a difference in ratio between the smallest and biggest sprockets.

Does single-speed make you stronger?

It makes you a better/stronger rider.



The most obvious one is that it makes your legs stronger because you have to crank up hills in a much harder gear that you otherwise would. But it also makes you more efficient. Riding a singlespeed means that you need to plan ahead.

Can you put a derailleur on a single-speed bike?

You can add gears to your single-speed bike, but only under one condition–your bike frame’s dropouts can accommodate a multiple-speed wheel hub. After setting the multiple-speed wheel hub, you can install a derailleur and multi-gear cassette.

What is the best gear ratio for a single speed bike?

If you’re just starting out on your adventure on a single speed or fixed gear bike, a gear ratio of around 2.7-2.8 will be ideal.

How do you install a derailleur on a single-speed frame?

Quote from video: But what you need is either a derailleur that's direct mount that actually goes into here and the bolt screws on over it. Or you get one of these little adapters so this thing's from sun race.

How do I make my single speed bike pedal easier?

If your single speed is difficult to pedal at slow speeds, purchase a front gear that is smaller or a back gear sprocket that is larger. If your bicycle is difficult to pedal at high speeds, increase the size of your front sprocket or replace your back sprocket with one that is smaller.

How do I know if I have a short or long cage derailleur?

Quote from video: So look for those markings on your derailleur. If you can't eyeball it to see if it's long or short again short is SS medium GS long is s GS.

What does GS mean on Shimano derailleur?

medium cage

Shimano rear derailleurs are available in two types, SS (short cage) and GS (medium cage), depending on the model. The “cage” here refers to the length of the pulley cage (the unit that houses the two pulleys).

Do I need a short or medium cage derailleur?

It’s generally best to go for as short a derailleur cage as you can get away with, as long as you can avoid the chain contorting on the extremes of the cassette, such as using the largest on both sprocket and chainring. Smaller cages tend to have snappier gear changes, they’re lighter, and also less exposed to damage.

Why do people want single speed bikes?

For one thing, single speeds are extremely quiet. Since there is no derailleur and no slack in the chain, there is no “chain slap.” And without the shifter cables and cable housing needed for gear shift levers to work, there’s no rattle from the handlebars and frame. A single speed bike is almost silent.

Why do people like single speed bikes?

Single-speed bikes are more lightweight than geared bikes. Because of this, they are easier to manoeuvre and use, especially on plain roads. They are a great way to feel the wind on your face as you coast by. Moreover, single-speed bikes are more portable.

How fast can you ride a single speed bike?

Riding a single speed requires cadences in a huge range, from 20 revolutions per minute (rpm) to over 130 rpm. Because of this, riding a single-speed bike will put you out of your cadence comfort zone and stimulate new abilities. The force distribution differs significantly between both riding styles.

Can you put any derailleur on any bike?

2 Answers. Show activity on this post. A derailleur for your mountain bike should match the specifications on the original derailleur. That is, while it doesn’t need to be the same model of derailleur, it does need to be the same brand, in almost every case.

How do I know which Shimano rear derailleur?

Shimano stamps the rear derailleur model number on the underside/lower plate of the parallelogram.

Can you use a 12 speed derailleur on 11 speed cassette?

So you can’t use a 12 speed derailleur on an 11 speed setup or vice versa but you can you an xtr 12/11 speed shifter on an 11 speed drivetrain.

Can I use an 8 speed derailleur on a 7 speed cassette?

8 speed shifter and cassette, 7 speed derailleur? You’ll be fine. There’s no “probably” about it. 6-, 7- and 8-speed gear is all cross-compatible in terms of chain width.

Can I use a 9 speed Rd in 7 speed cogs?

You’ll be fine. I had a Deore 9-speed rear derailleur with a no-name Shimano 7-speed cassette and worked fine. The only thing is that you may need a bit more adjustment on the derailleur for the first setup because of the change.

Are 6 7 8 speed chains the same?

Chains for 6-, 7-, or 8-speed cassettes are generally universally compatible across brands and speeds. That means if a chain says “8-speed Shimano” you can use it in your old 6-speed, too.