Single speed help
- Thread starter marky mark
- Start date
velomaniac
MacRetro Rider
Tried it all over the years.
Best tensioner is the Rohloff or a similar model with 2 jockey wheels.
Surly Singulators or their direct copies are good, DMR Tension seeker very poor.
Old rear deralier works but often noisy and not laterally stiff enough.
Non sprung tensioners fitted to either BB shell or gear hangers are simpler but a fiddle and will work loose.
Eno Eccentric Hub from White industries is great but expensive.
Tensioning the chain via track ends/horizontal dropouts is the ideal using either tugnuts and or extra long track nuts, quietest too !
Alternatively if the chainstays stay out of the chainline for long enough you can try phantom/ghost gear; this involves placing an old chain ring roughly equal to the front chainring in the chain line and moving toward the rear sprocket untill chain tension is achieved, simple and silent. To prevent chainring bouncing out you could make two larger diameter discs of stiff thin plastic and sandwich the chainring using spacers and chainring bolts, the chain should thus not be able to spit the ghost ring out sideways if passing over rough ground. Best bikes for this are raised chainstay models or those with lots of tyre clearance and keeping the chainline as inboard as possible. Only tensioning system for fixed gear that is safe when using a frame with vertical dropouts.
Best gear, depends on your fitness, the terrain to be ridden, whether speed or hill climbing is more important to you and at what speed you can live with spinning out or having to dismount.
Classic is any combination of chainring and sprocket that gives 2:1 for off road and roughly 2.3-2.6:1 on road works for me.
I prefer lower off road, making up time downhill by daring myself to use the breaks less !
There are many ways to make a single speed and endless fun/frustration can be had in the process !!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
Best tensioner is the Rohloff or a similar model with 2 jockey wheels.
Surly Singulators or their direct copies are good, DMR Tension seeker very poor.
Old rear deralier works but often noisy and not laterally stiff enough.
Non sprung tensioners fitted to either BB shell or gear hangers are simpler but a fiddle and will work loose.
Eno Eccentric Hub from White industries is great but expensive.
Tensioning the chain via track ends/horizontal dropouts is the ideal using either tugnuts and or extra long track nuts, quietest too !
Alternatively if the chainstays stay out of the chainline for long enough you can try phantom/ghost gear; this involves placing an old chain ring roughly equal to the front chainring in the chain line and moving toward the rear sprocket untill chain tension is achieved, simple and silent. To prevent chainring bouncing out you could make two larger diameter discs of stiff thin plastic and sandwich the chainring using spacers and chainring bolts, the chain should thus not be able to spit the ghost ring out sideways if passing over rough ground. Best bikes for this are raised chainstay models or those with lots of tyre clearance and keeping the chainline as inboard as possible. Only tensioning system for fixed gear that is safe when using a frame with vertical dropouts.
Best gear, depends on your fitness, the terrain to be ridden, whether speed or hill climbing is more important to you and at what speed you can live with spinning out or having to dismount.
Classic is any combination of chainring and sprocket that gives 2:1 for off road and roughly 2.3-2.6:1 on road works for me.
I prefer lower off road, making up time downhill by daring myself to use the breaks less !
There are many ways to make a single speed and endless fun/frustration can be had in the process !!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
In my opinion the best site for single speed information is www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
Im currently running a 44-16 on my RC200 and find that is perfect for road riding. Off road it is ok but can be a bit knackering.
Im currently running a 44-16 on my RC200 and find that is perfect for road riding. Off road it is ok but can be a bit knackering.
In my opinion the best site for single speed information is www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html
Im currently running a 44-16 on my RC200 and find that is perfect for road riding. Off road it is ok but can be a bit knackering.
Im currently running a 44-16 on my RC200 and find that is perfect for road riding. Off road it is ok but can be a bit knackering.
Bikeshopowner
Senior Retro Guru
- Feedback
- View
I Run a 38/18 SS on a Carbon Rigid, It's OK off road providing its not vertical and it's even OK on the road to work each day, any 2:1 is good off road, you'd be suprised what you can climb!
BikePimp
Retro Guru
guybe":v1dq81vw said:
The White Industries Eno Hub for single speed is about $160 USD give or take, depending where you buy them....or just get one off eBay for less. Since it's on an eccentric, no need for tensioner.
But, the tensioner route is less expensive and works fine, though I prefer the clean look of the Eno hub.
I think velomaniac nailed all the info you need.
Singlespeed Maniac
Dirt Disciple
- Feedback
- View
All info you need has already been told, but you can check the singlespeed FAQ on mtbr if you have any more question.
