OK, going to take the plunge into SS this winter. Don't want to run an ugly chain tensioner, so I'm guessing a eccentric bb is the only way to go. Never used this before, but there does seem to be loads of conflicting advice on the web. Is there a simple fit it once and forget it solution out there that works well?
You realise you need a frame that will take an EBB?
You can also get half link chains to get the correct chain length,
or a White Industries Eccentric rear hub.
[i] I'm guessing a eccentric bb is the only way to go[/i]
sliding/slotted dropouts are as popular and do the same job. there's probably more of those available as well - EBB's tend to add more weight and cost more.
My Kinesis Decade Versa has slidey dropouts and once the chain tension is set have been brilliant. Easier to adjust in a lot of ways than an EBB too and less prone to creaks and slipping, ime.
If you're not sure look for somethign that will let you run gears if SS turns out not to be for you.
[edit] or are you lookign to convert existing frame? If latter then the exenctricizer (sp?) gives some adjustment on a standard BB shell or Surly (and phil wood?) do eccentric hubs to adjust chain tension
I've just built up MrSchmancey* and he has a Niner BioEBB fitted. Pimples to fit and pimples to adjust. I don't have sliders nor run a chain tensioner, just smooth simple clean lines.
*NinerOneSS29er
Apologies for my ignorance!
I have a geared carbon Spesh 29er frame which I'd like to convert to ss. I like the idea of not using a chain tensioner to keep it visually clean and simple 😳
I wrongly though I could use any EBB 😳
this is the EBB for standard BB's solution;
[url= http://www.trickstuff.de/de/products/exzentriker_KL.php ]http://www.trickstuff.de/de/products/exzentriker_KL.php[/url]
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not massively cheap but a 'clean' solution.
For sale here:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/trickstuff-excentriker-prod18255/
You could get a SS specific frame for that money...
[url= http://labs.yesspro.com/products/etr-b ]YESS ETR/B bottom-bracket mounted tensioner[/url] is probably the best looking solution to convert a frame.
half link chain is just as "neat" imo.
Chain half link isn't a long term solution though IME. Can work at times but can equally be a nightmare of chain dropping.
[url= http://www.whiteind.com/rearhubs/singlespeedhubs.html ]Eccentric hub?[/url]
You know, you can try and go with all the other solutions that can work fine but will cost a load of money (eg the eccentric BB, eccentric hub) or be cheap and require regular fettling (magic ratio, etc) but a tensioner really isn't a big issue, works well and is cheap. IMO it's silly not to just for the aesthetics of it.
Those white industries hubs are very trick if a little costly
It's one of the few things I regret selling.
Spot the tensioner 🙂 Is it really that bad?
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Arrrgggh! My eyes!
😆
I'll bet you ride a Fixie 😉
I stuggle enough with single speed and a freewheel, tbh. Fixie off road sounds a step too far.
Just seen you can get an eccentric bb to go into a pf30 shell. It's threaded to take normal bottom brackets
But cost £130
Anything BB mounted that has been put up thus far is entirely dependent upon the bike having a standard screw in BB. Which given that it is a Spesh carbon would perhaps be optimistic. My suggestion would be the Eccentric hub as mentioned above. Or orangeboys solution if it is BB30.
No cheap way to do this without a tensioner.
I have a Philcentric BB I was planning to sell.
I looked into this last year as I wanted to Singlespeed my Hummer and didn't want to ruin the look or the 'performance' with a tensioner. I was used to sliding dropouts on my last frame and convinced that a tensioner would feel different and not work as well. All the other options were complex and costly and what if they wear you have the cost all over again. In the end I fitted a Gusset Bachelor which is a fixed tensioner. I hardly have to adjust it and don't even notice anymore. If you are just trying single speeding I'd suggest the cheapest option in case it's not for you! Also it's for the winter so who cares what it looks like when it's covered in mud?
EDIT covered in mud all summer too!
teem beer also do a BB30 eccentric bottom bracket converter which proper Bo, i tell thee.
Ah, if it's come to posting pictures of SS converted Kona's with tensioners ...
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I run that bike ^ like that, and it's fine. It's pushing the chain up around the cog, and it's never given me any trouble at all ...
I run a similar age road bike with a magic-gear (tho' I did have to use a half-link to get it), and it's fine.
My Singulars have EBB's, and they are fine.
If you are not using a SS specific rear wheel, Velosolo do a very useful spacer kit (of all different sizes, (and different colours too if that's your thing)), so you can really fine tune your chainline.
(As seen on the back of my Kona 😉 ).
I can see how something like a Blackspire Stinger mounted on the BB / ISCG mounts might work quite well as an alternative to hanging the tensioner off the mech hanger.
I've not used one, but the eccentric hub looks an interesting idea, I'm not too sure what I think about the asymetric loading on the way it mounts tho' - I'm sure it's absolutely fine, but it's something I'd need to mull over.
My EBB cost me £60.00
Got a Carver EBB. Seems OK but I have never run anyother EBB.
There is a fair bit of EBB on the USA biking forum MTBR
To use in your Specialized (which I believe has a BB30 shell?) you want a [url= http://beercomponents.com/?page_id=31&category=4&product_id=45 ]Beer Components adapter [/url] for the cleanest solution. Of course that means you need a new crankset and chainring as well. So if you're just dipping a toe in the water then a tensioner may be the best bet...
I'm running an White Industries Eno, brilliant at what it does, brought mine flea bay for reasonable money
Tensioner is far less 'ugly' ' than a pair of mechs, all the associated cables, sprocket and shifters.