Single speed with jockey wheels?

Garry71

Is it possible to convert to single speed, and keep the jockey wheels so you don't need horizontal slots for chain tensioning?
I'm new to looking at single speed, so I might be barking up the wrong tree with this :!:

Thanks a lot
Garry

stickman

People have done this, I haven't so I don't know the exact set-up. Chain tensioners can be bought.

gaspode

not affiliated to me in any way, but take a look at Charlie's site:

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/index.htm

there's loads of useful info on here (see towards the bottom of the left-hand menu) - also, the LGFSS site and forums can tell you pretty much everything you need to know:

http://www.lfgss.com/ (be aware, that the language can be a little 'fruity' on the forums, so not for the easily offended!)

Garry71

Thanks for the replies, plenty for me to read up on

ATB
Garry

Monty Dog

You can run singlespeed (freewheel) with a chain tensioner no problems but never fixed - there is no tensioner strong enough to cope with the forces of a fixed gear transmission. One of the singlespeed kits from Charlie the Bike Monger is a good place to start.

bigpikle

yep - my Trek 1000 runs that way



works well enough but doesnt look as trendy as a SS or fixed

GarethPJ

Monty Dog wrote:

You can run singlespeed (freewheel) with a chain tensioner no problems but never fixed - there is no tensioner strong enough to cope with the forces of a fixed gear transmission. One of the singlespeed kits from Charlie the Bike Monger is a good place to start.

Sorry, but I've seen it done with a DMR STS. It's nothing to do with strength, per se, but to to with the fact that a sprung tensioner designed to take up the slack as the chain wears, just as a mech is designed to take up much more slack as you change onto a smaller ring or sprocket. This "give" means that backward force on the pedals will cause the tensioner to move allowing the bottom run to go straight, the top run will go slack.

A DMS STS (and other similar designs) locks in place and as such will not move under tension from reverse pressure on the pedals. One caveat is that you need to tighten everything good and solid, so it may not be suited to the application on an aluminium frame or indeed with lightweight aluminium bolts.