Anyone got experience of 1x8(or 6/7/9) builds?

[awaycaboose]

I've just stripped one of my bikes in order to sell the frame and was thinking of using the rear mech, shifter, wheel and cassette to turn my SS into a 1x8. The only problem which I can forsee is losing the chain off the ring when in the top or bottom gears.

So my question is this; is anyone running this kind of setup without one of those new fangled chain guide things or a front mech and if so does it work?

 

[orange71]

ededwards might be your man

 

[Xesh]

One of my mates tried this and it worked fine until he went off road. It seemed to work fine on road and on the fire roads but once you got to the rougher stuff it didn't want to play ball.

I've got a 1x9 setup on me modern ATB but I use an E13 chain device (the LG1). It's expensive but it only weighs 200g and is very silent in use.

 

[jimihendrix]

I'm running my E3 as a 1x8 but more through necessity than choice as it has a cable stop missing, it's been fine so far.

Had to run guide rollers on the same setup on the GT though as that kept dropping the chain but i think that was due to the suspension movement, i think in normal cases the tension from the rear mech should be enough to hold the chain on the ring.

 

[legrandefromage]

I used a Ging chain tensioner for years (the inner ring was decorative)

 

[awaycaboose]

That's exactly what I was thinking Mr. hendrix, are you perchance bringing the E3 to the Glentress meet?

 

[one-eyed_jim]

My old Kilauea had a 1x9 for a while in various combinations. The trick seemed to be to use the shortest chain possible, and a chainring with good tall teeth and no shift ramps. Older rings, or modern rings designed for singlespeed work well. I was using a short-cage mech - that probably helped too.

In extremis you can fit trials guards, bash rings, chain devices etc to help keep the chain in place (I didn't need to) but if those measures become necessary it probably makes more sense just to put the front mech back on and run a 2x9.

 

[awaycaboose]

Cheers for that, getting the chain as short as possible sounds like it should work. It's a truvativ stylo SS chainset with bashguard which is on the bike so there should be no probs with the ring or unshipping the chain outward.

 

[xizang]

I run a 1x9 on my Giant NRS1 but I use a MRP Mini-Me chain device. Picked it up on E-Bay for £20, normally £99.99

 

[Wold Ranger]

Ratios

Feel with modern 9 speed 12/34 rear cassettes more than a front is hardly necessary other than for excess speed downhill. I use a 34 99 percent of the time and although have a granny ring. but no big ring, I rarely use the granny if ever.