Single Speed Questions

[pwpatton]

I want to build a SS but still need a few parts. I've decided on most of what I want except 2 things: a tensioner and a crank.

Should I just get any old tensioner or is there a preferred brand?

Is there a SS specific crank? What do most folks do, buy a regular crank and just remove 2 rings??? I'm confused about this one.

Thanks,
Phillip

[Guest1]

Use the cranks you have, install a surly singleator and I would get a chainring without shift ramps and maybe a bashring.

[Standard]

The only thing different about a SS crank is that it won't have the threaded bosses for an inner chainring.

Tensioners.. as long as it has a spring it'll work. I'll usually just take a somewhat wrecked but still usable rear derailleur and cut off the bottom pulley.. free = good.

[lugged]

I use a cheap knock-off of the "singulator", and use sweet older bmx cranks. Before that I used my old mtn bike cranks. Depends on how fancy you need to be. You can be riding as soon as you get a tensioner though.

Check this guy out:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

[pwpatton]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about doing a standard crank w/ a bashguard. I'll just do a normal hub with a cog and spacers. And probably start with a knock off tensioner and go to a surly if the knock off breaks.

So now I need to figure out what gear ratio I want. I'm thinking 32T Ring but I'm not certain. What cogs would anyone recommend starting with?

[cal bean]

for summer or winter .in summer i run 34/17 winter 34/20.

[Trevize1138]

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about doing a standard crank w/ a bashguard. I'll just do a normal hub with a cog and spacers. And probably start with a knock off tensioner and go to a surly if the knock off breaks.

So now I need to figure out what gear ratio I want. I'm thinking 32T Ring but I'm not certain. What cogs would anyone recommend starting with?

That sounds about perfect for your first SS, Phil :). You really won't need to improve on it, in fact, unless you get a frame with horizontal dropouts. The big thing to be anal about is chainline: get that sucker as straight as you can from front-to-back. It only takes one or two spills due to a dropped chain before you get real picky about a straight chainline. The spacers on the cassette are awesome for that.

As for ratios, 32T in the front is pretty standard and I'd just start out with an 18T in the back. Eventually you may find yourself wanting a 17T or 16T for the back. But, even now after several years of SS riding myself I find I have the most fun with 32:18. Once you develop that nice, fast spin you won't miss bigger ratios.

[bigwheel]

Phil, I'd recommend going a lot lower of a gear for winter. Something like 32/20 on a 26".

On the 29er, I run 32/23 in the winter. I'd even go lower yet if there was an easy way to do it with a single-speed hub.

For your crankset, just get rid of your little chainring and replace the big one with a bash guard.

[manual63]

I am trying out one of these on my On-One.

http://www.dmrbikes.com/res/img/catalogue/large/CDSTS.jpg

http://www.dmrbikes.com/?Section=products&pageType=item&category=3&CategoryName=Chain%20Devices&itemid=CDSTS

I have used the Surly and Misfit chain tensioner (with a spring) and they both worked, but not as well as I would like. The chain seemed to jump around a lot. This DMR one pushes up on your chain and you lock it into place at the desired tension. I think it will work much better, but I haven't been able to test it a bunch.

I run a 32 x 20 or 32 x 22 in the winter for off-road trails.

[Trevize1138]

I like the idea of locking the tensioner into position rather than relying on a spring. One annoying thing about spring-loaded tensioners is you still get the noisy chain slap agaist your frame just like those stupid geary bikes. :)

I am trying out one of these on my On-One.

http://www.dmrbikes.com/res/img/catalogue/large/CDSTS.jpg

http://www.dmrbikes.com/?Section=products&pageType=item&category=3&CategoryName=Chain%20Devices&itemid=CDSTS

I have used the Surly and Misfit chain tensioner (with a spring) and they both worked, but not as well as I would like. The chain seemed to jump around a lot. This DMR one pushes up on your chain and you lock it into place at the desired tension. I think it will work much better, but I haven't been able to test it a bunch.

I run a 32 x 20 or 32 x 22 in the winter for off-road trails.

[KleinCrazy]

Oh Come On Phillip!!!

36/17 Summer Most Trails
36/20 Winter and Hilly stuff and when I just want to cruise and not crank

34/20 Deep Snow and Afton

Fruita
34/20 No Problems....at least on the trails I rode....:p


Let Me know. I might have some parts around off of the Attitude that might work for you. Among all the other junk that is accumulating in my upstairs this winter....

L8er
James

[KleinCrazy]

I used the Soulcraft Convert Locking tensioner on my Attitude. once Installed no tools required to loosen. Work very Nice, but was pricy.

http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/convert.asp

I might even have it lying around somewhere... or maybe I sold it to somebody already? Who knows I'll have to look.

[TML]

I used the Soulcraft Convert Locking tensioner on my Attitude. once Installed no tools required to loosen. Work very Nice, but was pricy.

http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/convert.asp

I might even have it lying around somewhere... or maybe I sold it to somebody already? Who knows I'll have to look.


That would be the one that's on my single speed right now. :)


Phillip- good to see ya back on the forums, it's been a while.

[KleinCrazy]

That would be the one that's on my single speed right now. :)


Phillip- good to see ya back on the forums, it's been a while.

Ahhh!!

That's right, It is on the Big Purple Bottle Opener!

[jjrsds]

Most Erik's should have the Rockwerks singlespeed conversion kit, tensioner (pyrimad's tensioner I think), spacers with a 16 and 18 tooth cog. Runs around 40 dollars and works quite well and have installed and converted a few bikes and riders to SS :D. Otherwise Soulcraft Convert or Surly work great and would lean towards the Soulcraft. If money isn't a problem the Paul Melvin looks like it would work great and you could keep the inner and middle chain rings with a front der and shifter for a dingle set up. Meaning you could have a bailout gear if you choose.

Use your current cranks and see what works for you. If it is something you want to ride then invest in a single speed specific rear wheel (or not) and cranks.

Gears I use in winter 32x22 with 2.6 tires and sometimes wish for something a little easier.

Good luck and have fun.

Oh yeah were you been Phil? Haven't seen ya in forever.

[pwpatton]

Its good to hear from all you guys again (except you Druckenmiller ;)). I've been riding mostly at leb on my way home from work. With 3 little ones at home it's hard to get out to the longer group rides. Plus my wife dragged me out to Hastings, aka BFE.:incazzato:

Thanks for all the info on the SS stuff. I'm really looking foward to building it up. BTW: anyone got a crankset they want to get rid of?