Convert single speed, steel framed, vintage track bike to geared

Question

Is there any way to convert a steel framed single speed vintage track bike to a geared bike? I have a track bike with only the rails for the wheel but I've moved out of the city and there are more hills where I am now living so would like to convert to gears if possible and rather than buy a new bike, save some cash.
this is actually the bike. Apologies for the butchering of its style in this form. sorry don't have a closer pic at the moment. I don't have the bike at my home and cant get to it due to lockdown :(

abdnChap · Accepted Answer

The bike in the question is not what is considered as "track drop outs".
For that bike, depending on the rear wheel spacing, it should be relatively easy to convert back to geared.
I would suggest, leaving the front as a 1x system. This is subjective, but I would just get a relatively moderate ring on the frontm between 40t to 46t depending on how hilly the area is.
If the rear dropout is 126mm, then you could either get a wheel to suit, this is an old standard, or you could get a newer 130mm wheel, although how well this works, depends on a few factors.
You could get get a mech hanger such as this

Which sits at the rear of the dropout.
Alternatively, you could go down the internal geared route.
Both options have their own pros and cons.

cmaster - reinstate monica · Answer

Yes. Absolutely. Simply install an internal gear hub.
Prices for internal gear hubs are basically what you want to spend: You can buy decent second hand IGHs (SRAM 7 speed, 300% gear spread, super reliable) for as low as 25 Euros, or you can invest roughly a thousand euros into a new top-of-the-list IGH (Rohloff, 14 gears, 500% gear spread, super reliable, no-delay switching, losses similar to a chain-shift bike), and there are quite a few models in between these extremes.
In any case, with an IGH you get much more robust gear shifting than with a chain-shift bike, and you won't need to dish the rear wheel or widen the stays of your frame(*). It's really the worry free solution.

*) Unless the frame was built for axles shorter than the standard 135mm that is common for single speed and IGH bikes. But even if that's the case, you won't need to widen the stays nearly as much as you would need for a large cassette. You'll most likely be able to do it with your hands alone.

Argenti Apparatus · Answer

Looks like this frame might designed for derailleur cable setup, probably with down tube shifters. It looks like there is a cable housing stop on the chain stay, and the dropouts do not allow for chain tension adjustment. Even if the frame isn’t set up for derailleur cabling, there are bolt on cable housing stops available.
The rear dropout spacing magic be 120mm or 126mm. Current standard dropout spacing for derailleur hubs is 130mm. If you have a narrower spacing you can try to find a wheel with a appropriate hub, which will probably allow you to run a up to 7 speeds, likely with a freewheel (opposed to freehub/cassette). With a steel frame you can expand the rear dropouts to accept a modern wheel which will allow you to go to 11 speed drivetrains. RJ The Bike Guy has a great comprehensive video on his channel.
The other difficulty is how to mount a derailleur, without detail on the rear dropouts we can’t give specific advice, but if there is no dedicated derailleur mounting hole, there are hangers that fit in the dropout and a retained by the quick-release or axle nuts.

Convert single speed, steel framed, vintage track bike to geared

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