[Closed] singlespeed tensioners - mud clogging

I've had a load of grass wrap round the roller & pack into a a jockey wheel shape, which I think may have actually helped keep the chain on.

Nope (always use the jockey wheel type so can't coment on rollers).

It's my prefered system atualy, less faff than EBB or sliding/swinging dropouts, and easier to get the wheel out than track ends.

TINAS - exactly my opinion

Nope never happened in ultra claggy Hertfordshire with Surly singleator

If converting a triple to SS, retaining the original middle chainring, is it essential to use a SS specific chain? All of the converter kits come with a new chain, but was hoping to get away with just a tensioner, rear sprocket/spacers and new chainring bolts.

you certainly don't need a new chain, no. if you later change to a thick chainring designed to only run 1/8" SS chains, rather than the 'normal' 3/32" wide chains on geared systems then you'll need a 1/8" chain.

What kit are you looking at which includes a chain? I've never seen one!

Charlie the bike monger does two kits with 'all the bits you need', but both contain a chain.

I reckon I can do it a fair bit cheaper myself.....

Just need to make sure rear sprocket will run 3/32" chain ok

Just need to make sure rear sprocket will run 3/32" chain ok

This +1

Most chainrings will take just about any chain, but only 'thin' sprockets will run 9 or 10speed chain. And thin sprockets eat alloy freehubs.

There's also an argument that you shouldn't run too wide a chain (i.e. a 1/8" BMX/track/SS width chain) on 3/32" chainring/sprockets as it's unsupourted and can twist. But I've had no problems with mine. I've also run 9s (11/128") chain on 3/32" sprockets, it makes a funny noise for the first few hundred miles, then beds in.

all you need is this

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=265

and this

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=265 <

these help not chew up an alu freehub body

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=267

1/8" look nicerer but Surly, for one, certainly prefer 3/32"

1/2x1/8" chains vs. 1/2x3/32" chains. 1/2x1/8" chains suck. Run whatever you want, but bigger isn't better here. Yeah, they're wider, but according to manufacturer-supplied data, they're not stronger and they are definitely not of better quality. Multi-speed drivetrains is where the bucks are at, and chains that work on such drivetrains are where the manufacturers of chains showcase their innovations and developments in quality. The rollers are better, the plates are better, the pins are stronger, and the construction method (riveting procedure) is better on all multi-speed 3/32" chains. I guess if you grind your chainring and chain down the handrail every night at the local pub, a bigger 1/2x1/8 " chain will last longer, but most of us don't and it won't. If you have an old Singleator: Dammit, don't use a 1/2x1/8" chain!!! Otherwise, you'll tear the Singleator off the bike, among other things, guaranteed. This is no longer the case with our redesigned Singleator. The old version used a loop over the jockey wheel to help keep the chain in place. This loop would catch 1/8" chains, which are fatter than 3/32". The current Singleator uses guide plates on each side of the jockey wheel to achieve the same purpose, but depending on the orientation of the wheels, it can run 3/32" or 1/8" chains. We still prefer narrow chains, but if you absolutely must use an 1/8", the new design will work for you.

Personally went for 1/8" setup

ah, you may also need the thinner chain ring bolts

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/id-cromo-chainring-bolts---single-speed-double-and-extra-large-128-p.asp

Also check out [url= http://www.velosolo.co.uk/intro.html ]VeloSolo[/url]

That surly article may have been true a few years ago or if you use cheep chains, but 8speed chain (3/32) is pretty old hat, and won't be as good as 9s or 10s chains (shimano reckon their 10s' lasts twice as long as their 9s chains). And for KMC (which seem to be the most popular SS option) chains at least the 1/8 and 3/32 are identical apart from width.