Just setting up my first Single speed.

Is how central the chain sits on the rollers a good indication?

And what about this centralising chainrings to get rid of tightspots?

1) not uber critical, mine could maybe do with being a little straighter, but its never come off.

2) I run a tensioner rather than slidey dropouts, but the need to get the chainring central depends on the ring/crank combination, some/most rings sit on the lip on the cranks so are completely central. If not and you have tight spots take the chain off, undo chainring bolts, grasp chainring firmly and twist it anti clockwise (or hold it still and push the crank as if you were pedaling), nip up the bolts, check for tight spots, tighten the bolts.

good indication – could be, look along the chain not down on it
centralising the chainring…… see how tight the tight spot is, if required crack the bolts and tap with a rubber mallet.

Sheldon has the answers

Cheers chaps. Read the Sheldon stuff but thought I’d check with the Singletrack Massive..

Oddly, chain quality can cause/exaggerate issues with chainline. I used a SRAM PC1 (brand new) briefly on my On One Inbred 29er (with hub gear, so same principle as setting up an SS) and no matter what I did, the chain just kept getting thrown off! It also seemed to stretch massively every ride, in fact after 6 rides I binned it, by which time it had stretched probably 1/4 inch over 12 links!!! REALLY!

Replaced it with an 8spd KMC chain, on paper not as strong, and designed to be able to shift on an 8spd setup. Not a single issue!

Mboy, thats interesting, I’ve just fitted an SRAM PC-1 chain and it seems to be stretching massively as well, forever tensioning it.

Also, wonder if a derailleur chain would withstand sloppy chainline better, after all, the chain is massively off-centre when you run it in middle ring and biggest sprocket, and yet stays on fine.

I will never use a sram pc1 chain again, never seen a cahin stretch so much.

I tried a PC-1 once… 🙄

Since then I’ve always used PC-7X on both SS and fixed without any problems.

Dammit, looks like I better get rid before it chews into my new freewheel and chainring 👿

i have used pc-1s in the past with no problem.

i’m currently running a silver PC1 it has so much lateral play from new it’s unbelievable. keep throwing it too. might get rid.

Guys,

Try a KMC Z610 Rustbuster at £6 from CRC.

So far it seems excellent on a ‘9-speed’ 32T and ‘SingleSpeed’ 17T.

I have also bought a KMC Z51 for an 8-speed winter bike at £8 from them.

PaulD