Anyone Single Speeding?

brutaldeluxe09
brutaldeluxe09 Posts: 96
edited October 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
I've decided to give Single Speeding a go, so I've a frame with Horizontal dropouts and I have a sinlge speed conversion kit (16T) but I'm a lttle unsure abut chainrings and chainline.

I have a Shimamo Hone crankset which is middle chainring (32T) and bashring. To be able to use this for single speed do I need to get rid of bash and position chainring on outer? if so do I speficially need a Single Speed Chainring? I believe that I will also need shorter bolts for the chainring too? or can I keep the bash with chainring on middle? and if so what implications are there on chainline?

I understand that I will need to adjust the position of the rear cog to sort chainline but I was hoping somebody had some experiance to be able to help me out a little as to which way to go.

Cheers!

James

Comments

  • bomberesque
    bomberesque Posts: 1,701
    leave the chainset alone, it should be fine

    depending on the conversion kit you have, some have several different sized spacers to help you get the rear cog aligned with the front chainring, some do not. play around with the spacers until you get the best chainline you can.

    You don't "need" a SS specific chainring, but they tend to last longer (they're thicker and have no shifting ramps / cut-aways) and are less prone to jumping under load with low chain tension (as they have taller teeth). I would just ride with the chainring you have till you've worn it out then get a SS specific one

    welcome on board btw and duck as I'm sure there's a whole slew of "why bother just ride your bike in one gear LOL" comments incoming :wink:
    Everything in moderation ... except beer
    Beer in moderation ... is a waste of beer

    If riding an XC race bike is like touching the trail,
    then riding a rigid singlespeed is like licking it
    ... or being punched by it, depending on the day
  • brutaldeluxe09
    brutaldeluxe09 Posts: 96
    awesome, that's really useful, thanks! that means I can get by without added exspense for now and look to change set-up at a later point.

    If I wanted to ditch bash at a later point do I run chainring in outer position and adjust the position of rear cog only?

    My conversion kit has 2 large spacers only, an 18mm and a 16mm spacer! Anybody know what the difference in position from middle ring to outer ring is at the front? I'm guessing it's more than 2mm so will I need to get more spacers?

    Thanks

    James

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