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Hi,
I've had an idea of going to 1x on my commuter as I can't seem to setup the front derailler to stop chain rub on the front derailleur (double chainset, w triple mech & shifters, so a bit of a bodge).
The chainset I have is an old 105 53/39 and I have an 11/32 on the back so i'm thinking if I can run a 1x the 39/11 combo would likely be sufficient.
I guess i'm wondering how easy it would be to do? do I need any extra parts or is it a case of just unbolting and removing the larger chainring.
Pic of the chainset is here:
https://ibb.co/L52mDh8
Any help gratefully received!
Cheers
You could just unbolt the big ring, but you are likely to need new chainring bolts (or washers to space the existing ones) otherwise I think you will struggle to tighten properly. Also, without the front mech and with just a standard ring, there is a small risk of the chain jumping off in some situations. I would be tempted to buy a narrow wide chainring from somewhere like superstar, I think they are also offset slightly to provide a better chainline throughout the cassette. Also, this way you can go with an in between sized ring to provide the most appropriate gear range.
Cheers - the superstar chain rings look good but £30 - I was hoping to do this on the cheap.
Is there any kind of chain catcher type thing to stop the chain dropping on a standard ring?
A 2x chainring is made to make it easy for the chain to transfer onto the next ring so without a mech to keep it in place it will be liable to jump off, particularly when shifting to a smaller rear sprocket.
Tldr - best to get a 1x narrow wide.
@meandyuk you could keep the front mech on, and adjust the limit screws to stay centred over the inner ring (wouldn't even need cable in).
You would still need washers or shorter bolts though.
TBH, it's probably worth just giving it a go without the big ring. Yes, a narrow wide might[*] give better chain retention off-road, but for a road chainset, there's not a lot of profile on the inner ring, it's more about the big ring "catching" the chain to lift it up, then dropping it and it landing on the smaller ring.
[*] I think I've lost the chain once each from a Absolute Black Narrow-Wide and from a P-X stainless singlespeed chainring (with a constant tooth profile). The former's on a bike that gets ridden harder, so make of that what you will.
What about just getting the correct derailleur?
Ha yeah good shout - I don't think its the derailler I think its the shifter which is a triple and has hydro levers built in so wanted to keep them.
I did this on the MTB and I did lose the chain occasionally not when the going was rough but when shifting all the way across the block in one go.
But then, that was a middle ring with associated shifting profile.
A chain device like that one solved my issue btw.
I did exactly the same: replaced the triple chain ring on my Scott Scale 750 with a single oval narrow wide 32T ring from Superstar. Added one of those very cheap chain devices and I've never had a problem. I did have to file a few mm off the length of the chain ring bolts to allow them to tighten properly (cause I'm too much of a tight wad and too flippin impatient to buy shorter bolts!).
No change to cassette or rear derailleur - despite reading loads of online assurances that without having a clutch derailleur I would be dicing with death. My most guilty secret: I didn't even change the chain!
I can happily report that I've not had a single chain off nor any other problems. I've ridden the bike over some fairly bumpy terrain too at the likes of Laggan Wolftrax, Hamsterley and my local heavily tractor-tyre-rutted farm tracks since doing this.
I have not died and, as far as I know, no baby robins have been harmed as a result of my upgrade.
Cheers, think i'm gonna take the plunge and give it a go as it is with one of those chain devices.
I'm not sure where to get these cheaper bolts though and which ones I might need - any ideas? 😀