Can A Gearless Cycle Be Converted To A Geared One? (Explained )

Last Updated on June 4, 2023 by Emmanuel

Cycling is a convenient transportation method, and bicycle manufacturers have improved their functionality and performance to make them more practical.

They have introduced gears enabling cyclists to change speed and increase performance on different terrains.

However, many still wonder if a gearless cycle can be converted to a geared one; this article will examine the topic thoroughly.

The benefits of a gearless cycle.

Gearless cycles, or “fixies,” don’t have gears, and many appreciate them because they have fewer parts, making them easy to maintain.

Besides, gearless bikes don’t get damaged often; you will spend a little money repairing your bicycle parts when they break.

These bikes are also lighter than geared ones and easier to ride and maneuver.

Their derailleurs and other parts also don’t need regular cleaning and lubrication.

The drawbacks of a gearless cycle.

• Gearless bicycles are more challenging to pedal uphill; the rider must maintain a constant pedaling speed to keep the bike moving forward.
• The bike stops when you slow down; it needs continuous energy to maintain the pedaling.
• Riding a gearless cycle in heavy traffic can be challenging because you can’t change gears to ease pedaling.
• Riding these bikes in cold weather is challenging because they go slower to generate heat.
• Besides, gearless makes riding in snow or ice challenging or even impossible.

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How to convert a gearless cycle to a geared one?

If you have a steel frame fixie, you can spring it up to about 5mm to fit a more comprehensive hub, so first check your bike’s frame spacing.

A single-speed bicycle typically features a 120mm comprehensive hub, while a mountain bike is 135mm, and road bikes have 130mm modern geared hubs.

Nevertheless, you will likely have fewer options if you have a 120mm frame.

Internal hub gear conversion kits for 120mm frames typically have a limited range of gears and can be expensive.

Depending on your riding goal, you can use a mountain bike or standard road bike hub with a cassette if your frame is wide enough.

Check if the frame has guides for the gear cable, and buy clamp-on cable guides or zip ties to keep the line in place if needed.

You must also purchase other parts, including cassette, derailleur, gear shift, wheel, etc.

Be prepared before upgrading your bicycle from a fixie to a geared one because it can be expensive.

The process also requires some work to fit it all in if you need experience.

Or you might even need a bike repair service, which can increase the cost.

It is why some individuals find purchasing bikes with gears easier than going through such a delicate process. 

What gear can you set fast on a mountain bike?

The chain.

A bike chain is one of the crucial bike components, and it will help if you know its length based on the number of gears.

The chain transfers the power generated from the crank arms and legs when pedaling and chainring to the rear wheel/cassette.

The more effective the tension on the chain is, the more effortless the transfer of your leg strength to the rear-wheel drive becomes.

Mainly designed single-speed bikes and internally geared hubs can generate power using much thinner chains, belt drives, and piston drives.

Cassette.

The cassette is a part of the rear wheel attached directly to it to spin forward freely or backward while rotating the entire reel.

The gears typically range in decreasing order from left to right, and the smaller bags refer to the larger cogs.

The smallest cog is the tenth, while the biggest is the first gear.

Derailleur.

The derailleur is the most complex component of the bicycle system, which plays two critical functions.

This part produces constant tension on the chain to guide it over the next set of cogs and shift the gears when the wheel spins.

To shift between gears, the cassette rotates and catches the chain on the next shift; the process needs pedaling to function.

Shifter.

The shifter activates the mechanism you control as a rider.

This part pulls the chord to slide the derailleur from left to right and the opposite sense.

Pedaling on the lower gears and more complex on the higher loads is better when shifting through your MTB.

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Can you ride a bicycle without gear on hills?

Of course, you can because people used single-gear bikes on hills before they invented multiple-geared bicycles, but it is challenging.

How can I make gear changes easier on my mountain bike?

Making a gear change on a mountain bike is a common problem that frustrates many people.

When you shift, pedal forward and avoid going while coasting or pedaling backward.

Besides, you must check if the cables don’t have abrupt curves, sharp bends, kinks, or sharp angles.

If you find it necessary, replace the line and housing to avoid some inconveniences.

Proper maintenance also makes gear changes smoother, so check your chain regularly and ensure it is permanently lubricated.

Inspect the cables and derailleurs for damages or wear to ensure the excellent functioning of your bike.

Finally, practice often because experience makes the shifting straightforward.

Final thoughts.

That’s all about this article discussing if can a gearless cycle be converted to a geared one; we hope this blog post provides valuable information.

Many appreciate the simplicity of a gearless cycle, but upgrading your bike to a geared one is also a better option.

However, the process requires the proper skills and can be costly, so many purchase new geared bikes instead.