I have managed to wreck my rear mech and hanger the other day so for now im single speeding with sliding dropouts.
All seems well, i’ve got a gear ratio that got me around Dalby and is also just about useable for my commute. I’ pretty pleased with it but the chain did jump off twice at Dalby so apart from tightening the chain up a bit would it help things dramatically if i put a ss specific ring and cog on it? [to run with my sram ss chain.]
I’m liking the price of on-one groove ammada cog so any reason to spend more?
What front ring do you use?
Im using 32-14, would 36-16 be a better set to give about the same gear?
Go on show me your bike pics, 26inch welcome to. I will post mine up later tonight.

32:18

Sliding dropouts? A Voodoo maybe? I used to have a Voodoo D-Jab and had trouble with the chain coming off a lot. I also knew people with the same issues on Wangas.

Chainline is the first thing to check i.e. move the spacers around on the back cog to get it in perfect line with the front chainring.

Generally, bigger rings for the same ratio is better for wear rate and might help keep the chain on. I use 34:19 on a 29er.

Proper SS chainring/cog will help. I like Velosolo for drivetrain needs, and always use a normal SRAM 9sp chain.

Showing off photo:

Not my pic but now my bike 🙂

Swaped the 160/140 floating rotors for 180/160 aligators, the smaller rotrs were OK, but bigger aligator rotros weigh less and stop more IME.

Contemplating a blue CK headset and blue seat clamp.

As for gearing, I aimed for the same 52″ gearing as my 26″ SS, which works out arround 32-18

Might drop to 19 or even 20 at the back as winters coming and mud makes everythig hard work.

To the OP. If you are still using the original 8/9/10 speed cassette it’s not surprising that your chain has dropped off. Cassette sprockets are specifically designed to make shifting easier and if you stand alongside your bike and push down on the pedal, see how the lower chain run slackens as the frame flexes.
32:14 seems a bit high for off roading, 34:18 works for me on my 29er.

and always use a normal SRAM 9sp chain.

Interesting, I’ve always used the cheapest nastiest BMX chain I could find laying around the garage – didn’t even think an old 9 speed would fit on the sprockets (surly cogs and chain ring). I’ll give that a go.

OP – if you can push 32:14 you’re harder than me by a long chalk, I find 32:16 tough and usually go 18 (on 26″).

No picture sorry, but I had a good ride in the forest on 38:18 at the weekend. Its the first time I’ve ss’d off road and was guessing at ratios.

I wouldn’t want to do it on multi speed cassette cogs though and my handle bars were creaking like granny flaps.

2011-08-27 SSWC Ireland (31) by Ally Mitchell, on Flickr

Doesn’t always have the dropper post fittted. 32-18 or 32-19 around where I am works well – I’ve only ridden Dalby once and IIRC I used 32-18. I use an FSA DH ring, On-One (18t) or Surly(19t) sprocket and can’t recall dropping the chain ever. Can’t remember what the chain is but didn’t cost much and is SS-specific I think.

Now geared and to be honest the bike is better for it …. by bike I mean me 😳

Worked fine in 32:16 guise – If I had stuck with it as a SS I would have gone 32:18 I think 😳

Tiny 160mm rotors front and back stop me fine

32-14!! how big are your thighs?

I run 36-21 at the mo on my Pace rc129. Which works out in between 32-18 and 32-19.

34:19 because chain length works

Not a 29er but still lots of fun 42:19 or 39:19

[/url] scandal by thom1984, on Flickr[/img]

my favourite bike. 😀

ooooh I like 8)

Is that a stand or a tether to stop it floating away 😯

Excuse the Phone pic. After having a stretchy PC1 chain on a standard 32t middle ring, I swapped over to surly 32:18 and a kmcz610x after some good advice from Charlie and some riding buddies. Seems spot on since.

Renthal 34T on the front, Surly 16T on the back.

Hard graft at the moment…

32:19 with On One groove armada rear sprocket and Velosolo front.

34:20. Surly front, White Industries trials rear (which is lovely) on Surly SS hub.
(Not that you’ll see any of that in this picture 😉 ).

I run my Kona on 34:18 (Surly F & R). It’s a 26er tho’.

for summer, now 34:19, works much better, no half link needed

for winter, 32:18 as had a surly stainless chainring

@bullheart u must have legs of iron! could never hack 34:16!!!

By tommarvin at 2011-12-07

my kula being ridden… shite photo, but the only one i’ve got of this build…

EDIT – hadn’t realised how shit imageshack is! thats an awful photo 🙁

I think I’d go with Aidan’s advice on ratios and kit, he has have ridden his slightly further than the rest of us…..

32 X 18 but I’m tempted to raise the gear a tad

Some nice bikes here people.
The 32- 14 was hard work but rideable and it makes it a bit faster on the road to,
So the chainline looks good but think the skipping its down to worn 9sp kit and a new chain. Obvious really!
anyway I will post mine but not yet as its unclean and looks a mess!
Keep the pics coming
Oh and is it right that you get used to pushing and spinning the more you use it? I know its basic fitness that you adapt abut does it feel easier?

All my own work…….

32:18 or 32:19 depending on mood. Middleburn front, Surly rear.

Love Middleburn Uno, but not loving the fact that wearing chainring can’t be rotated or flipped 🙁

32×18, Middleburn Uno, can’t remember cog, SRAM 9 speed chain.

36:20 on both of mine when SS. The Scandal is ‘hoff’d now.
Groove armada’s are great. Been running one on an ally freehub no problems.

sounds like a daft idea to me, it’ll never catch on

32-18
White Industries front, now reversed so on its second life 8)
Surly rear
Whipperman Connex 8 speed chain

EDIT: Oh yeah – groove armadas are great 😀

mostly 34-19 or 20 with a rotor Q ring on mine

I love my Santacruz Highball Singlespeed with Syncros FL Carbon fork, I haven’t ridden my other bikes for over 2 months now! 😳

The Bike (taking me to work on the South Downs)

Those Forks

Winter tyres now fitted!

My latest build, Salsa El Mariachi. Geared 32:19, I’m using cut down xtr M960 cranks which limits chainring choice somewhat, so there is a Middleburn ring on there which is wearing surprisingly well considering it’s aluminium (a shame nobody makes a stainless cog to fit that I can get hold of easily).

El Mariachi by robkhoo, on Flickr

2 by rOcKeTdOgUk, on Flickr

365/143 23/5/10 by rOcKeTdOgUk, on Flickr

32:18 on both

^ nice combo!! How does the gryphon compare to the swift ride wise?

Designed by me made by a man in china

I run 36 19. Could do with 20 sometimes
V2 has arrive pics later

Ive got the groove ammada to put on in a min ive gone for a 15 tooth and going to stay on the same ratio as before with a 34 front.
so far so good! 8)

110502204113_R by emac65, on Flickr

bloomin thing, ive done 3 rides and the freehub is hacked up from using the narrow 9 speed cog.
Ive got my file out and i may be some time!

This is version 2 only ridden around the garden so far but will be racing it at the Merida 4 hour next week