Converting old bike extends lifespan.(Final)

Byline: Stephen Regenold For the Journal

* Changing to single-speed style can save money on maintenance

There comes a time in the lifecycle of a bike when the cost to replace certain components becomes unjustifiable.

New derailleurs, chainrings, cranks, bottom brackets, cassette gears and other parts can quickly add up to several hundred dollars in expenses.

I faced this very conundrum last month after deciding to resurrect an old 21-speed Schwinn mountain bike as a city cruiser. The bike, which had seen much abuse over the last 10 years, had a crusty, barely functioning drivetrain and a frame flecked with rust.

At a friend's recommendation, I wheeled over to a shop near my home in downtown Minneapolis for a diagnosis. Opened to the public in 2003 by former professional bike racer Gene Oberpriller, One on One caters to urban bike commuters, messengers and single-speed fanatics, so it was little surprise when the shop recommended I convert the Schwinn to a single-speed configuration.

To do this, the bike mechanics would need to add one new component -- a Surly Singulator chain tensioner and remove about a pound of superfluous gears, shifters, derailleurs and other parts. The final product would be a streamlined bike with one speed.