Going up or down?

[kaiser]

so up or maybe down, but what looks the best?

 

[cchris2lou]

so up or maybe down, but what looks the best?

exactly , and up looks much cleaner .

and get a Surly tensioner , they are the best .

if not , try to find your magic ratio , that is what I have done now and it is much better .

 

[Pickle]

try to find your magic ratio , that is what I have done now and it is much better .

What is a 'magic ratio'?

I am running 32x18 at the moment (well, if my replacement tensioner ever gets here :roll: ) and also waiting for a 36t chainring to arrive.

 

[kaiser]

Magic ratio.....theres a link in the forum somewhere for calculating it. possibly a post from beepbeep :?

 

[kaiser]

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29716&highlight=

 

[sunchaser]

John, have you considered a halk link?

Might be worth a try.

 

[Pickle]

John, have you considered a halk link?

Might be worth a try.

Yea, I thought about it, but the cost of a tensioner and wait to get it was less.

I think if CRC play silly beggars on a refund or replacement I may go down this route.

I take it a half link and standard dropouts aren't a problem?

 

[kaiser]

Half link will definitely get you closer but may not be perfect. You can use the calc in the link above to see how it'll work out. Also you can buy single 3/32 half links from charlie the bikemonger, this means you can use any regular chain and have the half link adjustment.

 

[Average Mark]

Someone talk me though the whole 1/8th or 3/32 thing will ya?

 

[Andy R]

Someone talk me though the whole 1/8th or 3/32 thing will ya?

What aspects in particular ?

7 and 8 speed derailleur chain is 3/32", as are some single speed chains.
BMX and, as far as I know, track bikes use 1/8" chain.
You can use 1/8" chain on 3/32" sprockets but not vice versa.
1/8" chain has no tensile strength advantages over 3/32", but sprocket wear may be less as the load is spread over a wider area.

That's all I know about it anyway...