Fat Bike single speed

I’ve got a Genesis Caribou (green one) and I want to convert it to single speed. I was just wondering what ratios to run? Can anyone recommend a conversion kit and tensioner, On One, Surly, DMR etc etc. I’ve always had sliders or horizontial dropouts on a frame, I’m assuming with a chain tensioner it will feel the same?

Running a singular puffin on 32:18 in Hertfordshire 4.0 jumbo jims

Did an On-One Fatty trail 34:20 (later 32:20 as I’m a wimp and never really spun out where I ride). I sued a rohloff tensioner I had from previous SS FS bike – great kit but expensive.

Same ratio as for a 29er since the tyre diameter is almost the same. Maybe a little lower to account for the extra drag.

whitestone

Same ratio as for a 29er since the tyre diameter is almost the same. Maybe a little lower to account for the extra drag.

That’s how I do mine.

There is a big “but” though. That ratio doesn’t really work if you want to take your fatbike into places where you wouldn’t venture on a normal mtb. Then you need a really low ratio.

The problem with that is it is a spinny PITA  anywhere else.

So my SS fatbike is actually a dinglespeed. 🙂

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I’ll use the same ratio as a 29er. Any recommendations on a tensioner, On One Doofer, Surly etc?

I’ve had SS bits sitting in my spares box for a while to try…
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CROOSS/on-one-stainless-chainring (34T)
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SKOOSSKK/on-one-singlespeed-converter-kit (18T)

Which might be a challenge on the inclines, even in 29er wheel mode!

Never got around to buying https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/FSOOSSD/on-one-doofer-singlespeed-chain-tensioner , got a KMC two-colour variant of https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CHKMS1/kmc-s1-singlespeed-chain IIRC in the spares box.

I ran 28:18 for SSUK last year. But then I took ’em all up some big hills and along the beach 😂

https://i.postimg.cc/ht2MdQLg/20180908-154701-001.jpg

Whats cranks have you got on the Surly 40mpg?

If you have iscg mounts then a chain device with just a lower roller like a blackspire stinger works very well. Loctite the bolts set just snugged up and you just give it a tap upwards to add a bit of tension on.
Then the rear dropouts can be used as normal – no screwing around.

Td75 – they are raceface aeffect. Not so many choices when your got a 132mm wide press fit BB!

33:18 on a Puffin, running Jumbo Jim’s. It’s about right.