[Closed] SS query - 36/18?

2:1 ratio perfect for the job.
if you do a lot of flat or road riding you may want the 36:16 combo but for uppy/downy xc stick with 2:1

Depends where you ride, but 2:1 as you have there is usually a good starting point for a SS 26er.

Thnks peeps. Should have said there are plenty hills wherever I tend to be (West of England)

I went 32:18 in the end for when I run singlespeed on my Cotic Soul; I found 32:16 (similar gearing to 36:18) too hard for me up hills!

If your hills are short and rolling you can gear higher because you can carry speed to the next crest.

Long hills need lower gearing though.

A 2:1 ratio is a good place to start. It's not as if it's a major expense to buy a new cog if you need to change it.

Sometimes it's more effective to gear high and be prepared to walk the steep stuff. (Rule of thumb - walk when your pedalling speed drops to walking pace)

OK it's done! First SS build and tried it without the tensioner - seems to work off the the bat, lucky? How much tension is required on the chain, there seems about 3/4 inch play but it doesn't come off (yet?). Ratio seems good on legs but lungbusting up hills, time to quit smoking - result.

Here's the modest but well loved beasty, pleasantly lightweight to boot: [IMG] [/IMG]
[IMG] [/IMG]

You in Australia?

No! Cornwall, but there's them emus up the road and we have a big bar-b or three knocking about...

Forgot to say, thanks all again for the advice, much appreciated :-). Total budget was about 175 - actual cost at the end was about 150 including the bike but not including the hours stripping, rubbing down rust, spraying and lacquering and a few bits and bobs from parts bin, borrowed pedals from BSO in yard until I get something better. Hang on is that poploc upside down, argh....

That chain looks fine. Perfectionists might wince but provided the chain line is OK it won't come off.
How are your knees?

Will report on knees after a proper ride around some coombes...****.

PS looking for a straight swap for these Toras for some decent rigid forks if anyone's interested.

You'll probably be wanting SPD's at some point, makes SS'ing easier as there'll be times you run out of momentum and need the extra torque to get over something which would normally use a low gear.

Chain might be OK if the chainline's perfect, but it's your bolloks that'll get it if it slips!

Knees still fine. Loving it, finding excuses to go out and pedal, just like days of yore - but insomnia brought about by mad leg cramps - not enjoying. Gah, no bananas. where's the Berocca?

Update - the chain stretched enough to tip me into fitting a sprung tensioner. Took a wee bit of fiddling to get chain length right, then a banging chain slip ensued under pressure. reversed the tensioner to push up not down, all seems well until removing wheel then it's a faff but hopeful.

I've posted this photo many a time but this is how I SS'd my old Kona-

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No FAFF when removing the rear wheel.

I'm done with the stinger now, £12 and it's yours, email me if you're interested.

malvern rider how did you reverse the tension?
I think its something I need to do with my ss conversion.

Thanks Nathan

Sorry Nathan, just seen this, will grab a pic later. It was a bit of a faff moment so not even sure if done right, but it works! Think it's just a matter of running the chain over the top of jockey wheel rather than under, then putting the spring-anchor thing above the dropout cowl rather than under the stop at back of dropout.

Thanks for the stinger offer breadcrumb, but am getting foot joint pain (old injury) with the extra torque pressure required singlespeeding, so currently thinking of moving this whole project on...