MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Hi all,
I'm looking to convert my Orange Crush to singlespeed to battle the winter mud that has already descended on Bristol's local trails ... So advice needed please as to best kit to do this. I have vertical dropouts so will need a tensioner, but there seem to be loads ... DMR, On-one, Superstar etc etc
I currently have a Hope Pro 2 QR rear hub, currently running 1 x 9spd with a Superstar XCR single ring chain guide.
Anyone got any experience / advice on similar set up?
Cheers
Yes. I used a cheap, unsprung superstar tensioner, a wide rear sprocket, a kmc 8 speed chain and a half link from alans bmx. Worked a treat. Make sure you use the tensioner so it pushes the chain up, rather than down, as it gives a better chain wrap round the rear sprocket.
Make sure you use the tensioner so it pushes the chain up, rather than down, as it gives a better chain wrap round the rear sprocket
Had never thought of that 😳 ... shall be tweaking my chain accordingly tonight!
Agree with the "push up" tensioner, I found a surly Singulator to be the kiddy. Totally eliminated chain skip, also recomment Surly cogs, they have tall teeth which helps.
I never had an issue with the tensioner pushing down, I did, however, have issues with chain widths and used a standard 8/9 sp chain that a) fitted perfectly through the tensioner and b) didn't mind the fact that the chain line wasn't perfect.
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kit from charlie the bike monger looks good.
As an alternative, I'm running one of the Canadian Forward Components external eccentric BBs on a geared frame. It gives you around a half-link of adjustment. Works surprisingly well, though it's fiddly to adjust initially. Neatly dodges the whole iffy, skippy tensioner issue, though it's a bigger initial outlay. Around a hundred quid last year.
They seem to have forgotten to renew their domain registration, but if you can still get them they work okay and give the back wheel a really clean look.
Many thanks for your advice all. Just one further question on chains is an 8 speed chain 1/8" and regular 9 speed 3/32"? I presume wider the better for singlespeed, particularly as I have been known to snap 9 and 10 speed chains in the past under torque. I presume my middleburn front 32t ring will be ok with wider chain if I go for one of those?
No, an 8 speed is 3/32. An 8 speed KMC should do you right
Definately get one of the 'wide' sprockets as the normal 'flat' sprockets will chew through the freewheel on the Pro II.
Superstar ones are very good value but I've found need a bit of de-burring (1-minute at most) to fit properly.
The sprocket I mean;
In a kit form;
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=58&products_id=266