I’ve got a decade virsa prestige frame built up as a singlespeed hardtail:

Having just had it stripped and serviced im having a bit of a problem, it was running 34T + 16T before and now on 32T + 16T with a new chain, but having a chain length/tensioning issue.

Its on sliding horizontal dropouts and the chain was too slack, so take a link out of it and now…… its too short and is way overtensioned on the cogs, so whats the answer…. a half link or a different sized chain.!?

Slightlyconfused.com

Any suggestions (and dont say put a mech and gears on it!

Thanks in advance!

assuming your using a 1/8th chain, i would opt for a half link.

Sounds like you’ve found a magic ratio, but in a bad way! 🙂

Half link for sure.

Sorry but what is a ‘magic ratio’ …….!????

Dont know if its 1/8 or 3/32 : despite reading this! :

http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ch.html

Ive got that frame built up as a singlespeed too!

Ive had all sorts of issues with the chain. Didnt get on with the sliding drop outs at all so I now have it with the mech hanger drop outs and a basic roller type tensioner, chain length isnt really as issue then.

A half link is the way to go and, in my opinion, this is the best there is – use it with two connecting links.

Old chain was stretched, new one is not… Yet.
Use a half link for a while then ditch it(as they are the weakest link) and once your chain has stretched a bit, it will be groovy.

Thanks, has anyone got any pictures of a half link installed?

EDOT: DOH!!!! found it: http://velosolo.co.uk/faq.html#d12

Are you happy with your gear ratio? If not one tooth up or one down on your rear cog might solve the issue.

A sliding dropout with too little movement to deal with a single link difference doesn’t sound too hot to me.

Another vote for plus or minus one on the sprocket here. I run 32/17 or you could go 32/15 or 33/16 etc

If 34:16T works the 36:18T will also work with exactly 1″ extra chain and retain the dropouts in the same position. Half links are a faff.

gibbonarms – Member
Sorry but what is a ‘magic ratio’ …….!????

It’s a specific combination of chainring, sprocket and frame size (specifically chain stay length) that means you can run singlespeed without a tensioner.

Until, of course, your chain stretches 😀

easy – just get a different length chain as you suggest.

And the answer was…….

A half link chain in pimped out white colour!!!!