Magic Ratio for Single Speed. Any Experiences?

[novocaine]

find (or make) a tensioner that pushes up from underneath. you can get a much nicer look without having the tensioner hanging off the back end like a wart.

you can use your half link to get close then use the tensioner to take out the last bit.

 

[Thame Game]

I've ordered a ZTTO tensioner to try out. The half link method sounds good except I'll be running an Izumi 'jet black' chain which has gold pins. Where would I get a march for that 1/2"?

Ive had ZTTO bits before. Made somewhere in China, but the CNC work looks good. Can't get any other colour than purple, but I'm guessing that will swap out.

https://ebay.us/m/4tLbvp

 

[Gtpulse]

Izumi Half Link you could maybe change the screw for a gold one? Probs you won’t need a half link if you’re running a tensioner.

 

[Thame Game]

Izumi Half Link you could maybe change the screw for a gold one? Probs you won’t need a half link if you’re running a tensioner.

Excellent recommendation.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Eccentric hub (White Industries).

Eccentric BB (which will mean an outboard bearing type crank which I assume from the chainring being "non-optional" that you want to keep the cranks so an eccentric BB might be out of the question).

Half link, or half link type BMX chain.

As noted above, the chain will wear and you will need to take up the slack over time. I'd run a tensioner or a derailleur set to the right chainlink and be done with it. May not look as simple as a dedicated single speed but that's what happens with a conversion of a gearie to a single speed.

Or learn brazing, sweat the dropouts out and braze in some track tips. No such thing as overkill.