Adding gears

Forgive the dumbass question, but here goes...

I need to put gears on my single speed steed. I bought it to do a charity ride along the canal last year and it was perfect for the job. However, we're doing a coast to cast ride along Hadrians Cycleway and there's no way on God's green earth that I can do that single speed, so the plan is to convert it to a 1x9 setup.

I have a rear deraileur, cassette and shifter so there's no issues there. the main worry is the chain coming off at the front when I'm in bottom gear.

I THINK I need some sort of bash guard arrangement but my knowledge is a little short in this area.

OR... would it be better to add a couple of extra rings and go for a full 3x9 setup?

I'd go for the 3x9, the more the merrier on a long ride

a 3x9 setup would mean you don't get the crazy chain lines you would get with a 1x9 setup - providing you use the correct gear positions anyway! - (i had this on one of my MTBs) you could play around with the position of the chain ring though to get a happy medium (could use chainring spacers too).
if going for the 1x9 setup you will definitely need a chain guide, otherwise you'll spend all day putting your chain back on!

i've been recommended the truvativ box guide for a 1x9 setup.
or you could setup your front mech to act as a chain guide.....which ever you trust will do the job.
otherwise, fit a full set of 3x9 or 2x9 and put up with the extra weight

The first, obvious, thing to check is that you have a mech hanger at the back.

If your single speed is built as a SS specific frame (Pompino, Langster etc) then you are on a hiding to nothing. Buying a bike with gears would probably be the only way to go.

However if your SS is built up from an old MTB/road frame then you stand a chance of achieving what you want.

A very valid point tiermat... but yes it does have a mech hanger. It's currently running a tensioner that bolts on to the mech hanger.

JimNicho":2vnlfp5f said:

A very valid point tiermat... but yes it does have a mech hanger. It's currently running a tensioner that bolts on to the mech hanger.

Click to expand...

dont suppose you fancy parting with the tensioner do you??

I could possibly be persuaded... once I get it up and running

if your bike is a singlespeed you'll already have short chainring bolts and - hopefully - an unramped chainring so that's a good start.

as mentioned 2x9 gives a nicer angle for the chain as well as a broader range but if you persist with your 1x9 aspirations (I'm personally starting to wonder if 7 cogs are actually furthest a chain should move across) I would:

use a short or medium cage mech (short cage MTB mechs will run a 32t cog or even a 34t with no problem, road short cage mechs cope with 28t at least)

run chain as short as possible, so the mech is almost straining in bottom gear

chain-guidance is up to your preference and budget, you could utilise an old front mech mounted as low down the seat tube as possible with limit screws set so mech is jammed in correct position to allow engagement of all gears, this works well is set up right - make sure you oil the low limit screw threads!

or use a n-gear jump stop or a dog fang with an outer bashring / chainguard ring, keep your flares clean and all that. Or you can bodge a chainring sandwich with two bashrings but that can be a PITA to fettle.

And also as mentioned, get your chainring lined up with middle of yours rear cogs!

Run B-screw on minimum necessary insertion, I used to screw it right in for 1x9 but it doesn't help IME.

Thanks for all the info... I think I'm just going to go the whole hog and run a 3x9... I've got everything I need other than a couple of chainrings and bolts.

Current Single ring is a 32, So I figured I'd go for a 22 and a 42.. .any ideas on that guys?

JimNicho":3ah15bcl said:

Thanks for all the info... I think I'm just going to go the whole hog and run a 3x9... I've got everything I need other than a couple of chainrings and bolts.

Current Single ring is a 32, So I figured I'd go for a 22 and a 42.. .any ideas on that guys?

Click to expand...

sounds ideal, or maybe a 44 just for that extra couple of inches downhill?