Converting a front wheel to a rear one

[Chris S]

How easy is it to convert a front wheel to a rear one?

I've got a spare front wheel which I was thinking of converting to a single speed rear wheel just for fun.

Also, how easy would it be to convert it back again? It's a 26 x 2.0 MTB wheel.

 

[Pottsy]

You would need a new hub, new spokes and a complete rebuild i.e. you're only reusing the rim.

My first thought is that's it wouldn't be worth it, but let's see what some others say.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

It'll need a new hub, probably spokes and a wheel build.

Not a simple or easy job for a beginner.

 

[andy_wrx]

As they say.

Rather than 'converting' the wheel, you're taking the rim off it and using it to build a new wheel using a different hub & spokes.

I have a front to rebuld over the Winter - the rim is deeply concaved from the brakes and needs replacing, I've bought a rear with a knackered hub and I'm going to take the rim off that and transfer to the front, but I'm basically cannibalising from one wheel to another, I've got all the bits...

 

[Zoiders]

You can't just turn a front into a rear, especialy not a single speed, the hubs all wrong and lacks width or any way of fixing a screw on freewheel to to.

What can be done though is to convert front disc wheel into a rear fixed wheel. You drill the sprocket and bolt it on like a rotor, you do have to rebuild the axle wider though.

 

[oldroadman]

Why would anyone do that? The hubs are different widths, and no spacers will ever make them perfect, indeed there will be a weakness and risk of rear wheel collapse (this always happens at the worst possible time).
Just DON'T...!

 

[02GF74]

you'll end up with a bike with 2 front wheels so be very confusing.

 

[marzjennings]

The only bike I know where the front fork and rear chain stays are the same width is a Surly Pugsley and with one them you can swap front and rear wheels.