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Now this may be a silly question but I have always run 2 or 3 rings on the front of all the bikes I have owned. As it's a really cacky out there at the mo, I have un-mothballed my old hardtail to use in the muddy conditions. I want to run a single ring at the front. Is it as simple as remove the upper and lower ring, take off the shifter and derailleur and job done? Will my chain bounce off , do I need a retainer etc etc? Thoughts would be appreciated.
only really need 2 things,
-shorted chainring bolts/or washers (to take care of only having 1 ring)
-chain device on top, either leave your front mech on or get something like this from superstar: (£20)
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That will stop your chain bouncing off. There are lots of other versions also.
Standard ramped rings with no clutch mech then it will probably go missing.
Single ring (non ramped) may help
Clutch mech and thick thin ring seems to be popular.
A single ring chain device would work very well though
If you're using a none-clutch mech, I'd stick a chain device on myself. They don't have to cost a fortune. I run a Superstar Plasma on my BFe and it does a pretty good job (especially at less than half the price of an E13).
n-gear jump stop and BBG Bash - a set up which is pretty cheap, light, simple and quiet. Splashed out on an e-13 g-ring though.
Mate of mine has a triple up front on his hardtail. he's replaced the outer ring with a bashguard, and has got a seat tube mounted upper chain device with the chain on the middle ring. I think he's running a 9 speed out back. This is fine for the majority of his riding he does on that bike and seems to work fine in terms of not dropping chains.
Just leave it as it is. You never seem to have any problems at the front anyway.
EDIT: Or see if they can knock up a couple of bash rings at work - one for the outer and one for the granny.
A single ring chain device would work very well though
This is the cheapest and sounds the most suitable for a bike you just un-mothballed.
Hi
I use a clutch type rear mech and a bashwich up front, bashwich might be enough on it's own though.
Thick/thin chainring is a much better option than a top-only chainguide ime... Top guide even with a clutch mech was tolerable at best but magic chainring even without a clutch mech is better (not to mention much easier to sort out if the chain does come off...)
But is your existing kit 9 or 10 speed? Not so sure about chainring voodoo with a 9-speed chain...
Yep, you got it.
Shorten the chain.
Wait and see if you loose your chain after a few rides. If you do, fit chain guide.
Done.