Single ring on the front ?

weeksy59

Gents,

I'm wondering if there's any benefit from sticking a single or even dual front chainring instead of the 3 curretntly ?

I only ever use the middle ring, so there's little point having the ohters.

Would there be any gains to be made from having a single on the front instead ?

I guess one benfit is doing away with shifter and cable, also i guess you'd do away with the front Mech

ride_whenever

You'll want either a mech or chainguide to stop the chain coming off.

gezzza

Two rings up front is great you can get almost the same range as a standard triple with less hassle and its lighter too.

I'm running a 28/42 with an 11-32 at the rear i lose out on the two lowest gears compared to running the normal 22t up front and a tiny bit of top end speed.

I figure that if I'm using the two lowest gears which i never did i would be quicker walking
and the tiny bit of top end well its not often you spin out in top gear off road.

you can get a better chain line so less wear, loss weight of a ring 80g ish and you open up the possibility of using a road front mech which IMHO shift superior to any MTB mech they are also lighter ( I'm using a Dura Ace 7900)

But the marking boys couldn't sell an 18 speed bike as bigger number = better and 18 speed is sh!t.

weeksy59

ride_whenever wrote:

You'll want either a mech or chainguide to stop the chain coming off.

I assumed that even if running a single ring i'd need something up the front end as a guide yeah

oddy74

Sorry to hijack your thread Weeksy.
I am wanting to do the same on my new build, single up front but 9 out back.
Will I need a chain device? If so can anyone recommend one?
Thanks
Oddy

nicklouse

yes and one that fits your bike.

But i can not recommend one as the ESP is not working today.

So please provide some information about your bike and cranks etc..

oddy74

Oops sorry, a few more details would be useful I suppose. :oops:
The frame is a Kinesis decade Virue/Versa and the crankset Im considering is Race Face Deus XC Single Speed X-Type Chainset.
Thanks
Oddy

nicklouse

ok as that frame does not have any ISCG mounts you will need to use an ISCG adaptor or a bb mount chain device.

you will just need a simple one to guide things.

but it is an odd frame to go for a single up front.

oddy74

Thanks Nick
Any suggestions on which 1? I have had a look and I am still not sure which type to get :oops:

robbie7

i am going to do the same, i have been told that if you use a chainnring with unramped teeth you can get away without a chain device.

harryburgundy

I'm just building up another bike to compliment my SSer.
Single ring up front with roadie (on a Stumpjumper) close ratio 9 speed cassette and Dura Ace short cage mech.
I have ordered a Paul Components Chain Keeper from the states
http://www.paulcomp.com/chainkeeper.html
...should be here soon to complete the build. oh, and still looking for a shifter that I like.
This is a quick mock up