Building a Single Speed: part uno

For the past 2 winters, I've converted my Vicious into a single-speed. My former boss David who moved to open a shop in New Mexico was an avid SS'r so I joined the ranks on a whim.

Today I started passing the on the proverbial sprocket to a totally different Dave, owner of this original 1997 Voodoo Bizango:




killer headbadge


The Bizango was retired many years ago and left to collect dust... a night ride left the frame damaged, when one of the old heavy Niterider waterbottle batteries tore the cage and braze-on out of the frame. At that point, circa 2000, Voodoo was out of business. (although the brand was resurected, they won't honor the old warranty according to Dave. Y'all at Voodoo reading? Contact me if you change your mind)

tis' a shame...



The current Voodoo Bizango is welded from a Reynolds 853 tubeset, which is an air-hardened micro-alloy steel that gets stronger at the welds with better grain structure than some older steels. My 'cross bike is 853 and it rides like a dream.

Made in the USA of Tange Ultimate Ultralite steel


Joe Murray


As far as parts were concerned, we had a mixed approach. Some borrowed parts, some new old-stock, some brand new. To start, I lent Dave my old CODA cranks from my retired Cannondale F2000, as well as a 10 year old octalink BB that spins smooth as new. These were mated to a Blackspire 32T DS chainring. All of these were originally used on my first SS project in late December 2004.


Next I pressed in an old and simple Aheadset, and we're using a Vicious Cylces rigid fork to steer the front end. This fork came from a custom painted bike, but the owner Michael decided to run suspension up front so the fork has sat unused for several years. He let it go for a song and both parties are thrilled to see it going to good use.





For wheels, we took some Bontrager Dual Duty mtb wheels that originally came on a Gary Fisher Opie. Mark, a shop employee who bought the Opie only wanted the frame, as it is the same frame on Fisher's top of the line G.E.D. and put on parts he stripped from his Azonic Steelhead. Heavy and cheap, but they are free so who are we to argue?

To finish of the wheels, we used Dave's old Salsa rasta-colored skewers, and dug deep into my collection of cassette spacers to space out his cog for a nice straight chainline. I raped a used cassette for the 21T cog, but since it has ramps on it, we'll change it out once we figure out what gear Dave wants to push. The cassette also had an 18T available, but I figured that would be too much to push up hills since Dave doesn't ride much in the winter.

ghetto fab


That about wraps things up... we're waiting on parts (tomorrow?) to finish the bike off. A 26.8mm seatpost, bars & stem, and other assorted goodies to come. I'm loaning out my Rennen Rollenlager until Dave decides which tensioner he wants.

Part 2... stay tuned!