Broken two rear mechs on rides recently and each time someone has suggested shortening the chain and running as a single speed claiming they've seen someone else do it on their FS bike.
I can see that this would work ok on a HT, but does it actually work on a FS with things like chain growth going on? Or would the chain come off or snap over the first bump? Maybe ok on the smallest sprocket and ridden very gingerly?
I have done this on HT but never tried it on a FS as the chain length will change enough to be a problem I reckon.
it only really works on an FS if you lock the suspension by pumping the shock right up and even then it's a bit iffy.
it wont work
depends how broken the mech is. If you can leave the top jockey wheel in play (to take up some of the slack, working as an idler), you might be ok
Thanks, that's pretty much what I thought. Last time the mech sheared at the bolt that holds it to the hanger, so no hope of a bodge there!
only other thing I'd say is I'd be happy to bodge it with a short chain and get home if I was on roads to get home, I don't think that the straign on the chain would be all that great
I saw it done on a FS (GT Lobo), followed shortly after by the BB being ripped off as the suspension compressed 
Blimey, glad I've never tried it!
doesn't the gt (i drive??) have a special mechanism around the BB specifically to lengthen the chain under compression?
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