Singlespeed Setup?

WisePranker
WisePranker Posts: 823
edited July 2012 in MTB buying advice
I've got a heap of spare bits sitting about doing nothing in the garage so I'm planning on building up a single speed bike for the winter (or possibly summer judging by the current weather!)

It's going to be a Cotic Soul Mk2 frame that I'm building up. I've currently got a 34t singlespeed specific chainring fitted from when it was running as a 1x10. I'l probably go for something like the On-One or Superstar single sprocket kit and obviously some kind of chain tensioner.

Any suggestions for which chain tensioner is good that doesn't cost a fortune?

When I was running 1x10 I left the front mech on in place of a chain guide. Would this work ok with a singlespeed?

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    No but a rear mech would.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • WisePranker
    WisePranker Posts: 823
    cooldad wrote:
    No but a rear mech would.

    Would what?
    Work in place of a tensioner?
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    He's taking the p*ss! I've spent long enough here to realise he doesn't like anything without gears! :lol:

    I was looking at building a SS a while ago and was looking at the DMR kit, not sure of the drawbacks of any of the named kits though. But yep, a front mech will work as a guide.
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    but you could use a rear mech,
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    nicklouse wrote:
    but you could use a rear mech,

    Haha honestly never realised that :oops: :lol:

    But a chain tensioner would be lighter.
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • WisePranker
    WisePranker Posts: 823
    Greer_ wrote:
    He's taking the p*ss! I've spent long enough here to realise he doesn't like anything without gears! :lol:

    I was looking at building a SS a while ago and was looking at the DMR kit, not sure of the drawbacks of any of the named kits though. But yep, a front mech will work as a guide.

    I probably should've realised that but I'm having one of those days!
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    I was being serious, most people have on lying around. If you want it to look less mechy remove the lower jockey wheel and cut the cage down.
    Hey presto, chain tensioner.
    5522933941_49b4f43fee_z.jpg
    Whole bike
    5589450180_22c3f1600d_b.jpg

    Something really ugly my son built up out of bits lying around. I wouldn't ride it because SS are for idiots.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Plus it has bar ends and clipless pedals. And an upside down stem.
    My old Daewoo Genius.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    WisePranker wrote:
    Greer_ wrote:
    He's taking the p*ss! I've spent long enough here to realise he doesn't like anything without gears! :lol:

    I was looking at building a SS a while ago and was looking at the DMR kit, not sure of the drawbacks of any of the named kits though. But yep, a front mech will work as a guide.

    I probably should've realised that but I'm having one of those days!
    So nahnahnanahnah
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    cooldad wrote:
    I was being serious

    :shock: :lol: you win!
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    You're welcome.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    If you have "enough" bits to build a singlespeed - then you don't have enough bits.
    My photos
  • WisePranker
    WisePranker Posts: 823
    cooldad wrote:
    I was being serious, most people have on lying around. If you want it to look less mechy remove the lower jockey wheel and cut the cage down.
    Hey presto, chain tensioner.

    I never actually thought about doing it that way.
    I don't think I've got an old rear mech lying about but I'm sure one of my mates will have one somewhere :D
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    If you have "enough" bits to build a singlespeed - then you don't have enough bits.
    I have enough bits to build any number of crap bikes I'll have you know.

    For some inexplicable reason (I blame the evil ex and her genes) he wanted a singlespeed.

    He has now modified it further with some really fancy back wheel he dug out of the shed, titanium skewers, RS Judy forks to replace the Manitous, a disc front wheel with an old (very old) Hope brake, and, being my boy, has fitted a cassette and a whole mech back on.

    So no more SS.

    Hallelujah
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    what happened to Popstar anyway? haven't seen him here in yonks.
    My photos
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    The self styled Lord of Rad Gnar. He had a baby and started eating cake so turned into a fat bastard.

    Still posts random psychotic babble in London Calling and on Facebook now and again, and turns up for very occasional rides.

    Poor bugger works shifts and is doing 'the knowledge' to get his cab licence so doesn't have much spare time. What he does have he spends cruising around London in the rain on a moped.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Ah, the old "life getting in the way" thing?
    Hmm. I had that, then later decided that f*ck it, I shall make my life revolve around bikes again.
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    You haven't seen his missus - ex lingerie model or something.
    I most certainly would.

    Well TBH I would most anything, but I really really would.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Er... That's your potential daughter-in-law. You realise that, right?
    My photos
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    One of us is confused, but I still would even if she was my granny in law.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Yeah but nothing in skirts is safe round you and that includes a full highland regiment in dress uniform.........

    Back on topic, I have a spare SS conversion kit laying around as it came on a good wheel but I have no (and will never have) a need for it.....unless you plan to ghetto it using a couple of old cassettes?
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.

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