Forum menu
Have owned a Singlespeed MTB of some description for many, many years but admit I am hopelessly out-of-date with all the new standards out there. I've been 'on a break.'
Have regained my mojo recently, dusted off my old SS and noticed the time has come to replace its worn drivetrain.
Up till now I've always used a 3/32" cog, a common or garden 8-speed chain, and a 3/32" single speed-specific (unramped) chainring.
Strangley, 3/32" single speed-specific (unramped) chainrings seem to be a little thin-on-the-ground these days.
My question to all you Singlespeeders out there is: will one of these ubiquitous, newfangled Narrow Wide chainrings work with my usual setup? Or will I need a different width chain/cog for it to work? Or do you know somewhere I can buy a new, 3/32" single speed-specific (unramped) chainring?
TIA.
Yes, a NW ring will work fine with a SS setup. No advantage to it obviously, but I've been running one for over a year with no issues.
On-One were still doing their stainless steel singlespeed ring last time I looked.
I've been using surly steel rings for the last 12 years on mine. 4 and 5 arm pattern available, reversible when worn but last for aaaages before you need to.
https://surlybikes.com/parts/stainless_steel_chainrings
Only downside of NW chainrings is they dont come in odd numbers (obviously).
Get them cheap from ebay, just make sure they're 7075-t6 aluminium otherwise they last no time at all.
Anyone spotted microspline ss sprockets yet? I need to build some new wheels and have a pro2 hub spare with a HG freehub which could be converted (but would need a boost bodge). Or I could just buy a Superstar V6 with XD driver for less than the hope conversion would cost and assume that GX cassettes will fall to the same price as XT.
Oh and you may want to consider an oval ring. I certainly found one worked well on both my previous SS bikes. New bike is belt drive otherwise I'd have one on there.
Just buy a stainless steel Surly or On-One 3/32" chainring and you won't have to ask this question again for quite a few years.
I bought a wee stock of On-One SS rings once they were having a sale, but I still haven't had to dip into it.
Alloy chainrings don't seem to last long on my bikes.
Am I allowed to post a link up? We make 2mm & 3mm stainless rings and cogs right here in this country.
www.projection-racing.com
I have an 1/8 th chain ring from Projection Components (see above) and its lasting well so far after several months use
Oh and you may want to consider an oval ring.
Only if you are not particular about chain tension and it going from tight to loose every turn of the cranks.
Have to agree on the oval chainring, mines Absolute Black.
Now if they did an oval stainless steel one then that would even betterer
EDIT!! Found one but it's a bit pricey
Shimano did some stainless steel unramped rings for XTR only. That’s what’s going on my singlespeed rebuild.
Never knew that about stainless XTR, they are beautiful, but about the same price as an oval Wolftooth. https://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xtr-m9000-single-chainring-34t
Another On One ring user here, looks the same year after year..
Kerley, not if set up correctly. It's only a 2 tooth difference (+2 and -2), or is there ones with a bigger difference that you've encountered?
Narrow wides are fine with a 3/32 bit expensive/overkill unless you want the option of running a mech sometimes. I've used blackspire epics previously and they were fine despite being the budget option. Currently using non-ramped stronglight chainrings which have been great so far.
I found NW rings noisier and unnecessary. I also didn't like the small slack-tight thing with oval. If you are someone who like their tension spot on then an oval will play with your mind (though clearly it isn't an issue for most).
I would second Velosolo as a one stop shop for SS stuff. Great quality at very reasonable prices.
I no longer have my SS (stolen unfortunately) so you are welcome to a black 32T Velosolo 104bcd ring or gold Renthal 32T 104bcd that is more used for the cost of postage. You can have both if you really fancy 🙂
Kerley, not if set up correctly.
I used a direct mount absolute black chainring, how exactly can that not be setup correctly?
The chain tension differs noticeably as the chainring goes through a rotation
Not going to be noticeable on a geared bike but I found it annoying on single speed and would not even attempt to use on fixed. I am clearly a lot more particular about it than you though (nothing wrong with that) but pointing in out in case others are just as particular.
If you are someone who like their tension spot on
Personally I found the tension depended on how hard I was pedalling. Chain slack didn't bother me on SS. I could imagine it could be different on a fixie.
But it's totally down to the user.