Switching to single speed

dave27

Last Friday I managed to lose my top jockey wheel about 20 mile from home. I realised when the chain lost tension and after looking down thinking the chain had come off I realised it was the jockey wheel. I retraced my steps but was unable to find it and had to make a call for a pick up.

I tired to put the chain in a gear to be able to ride one gear back home but the chain kept snagging on the cassette and the pedals would not turn.

I went to buy a replacement and was explaining to the guy in the shop and he asked if I converted it to single speed.

Is it possible to do this? I couldn't mange without it snagging on the cassette. Would be useful to know in case it happens again.

lotus49

Is that possible without removing a big chunk of chain?

sungod

if you've got a removable link on the chain, you may be able to re-thread it so that it takes a clear(er) path through the rear mech, but whether there's enough clearance will depend on the geometry and rear mech type

losing a jockey wheel must be pretty rare [frantically touching wood] so i wouldn't worry about preparing for a repeat failure

if you've got a multitool with a chain tool on it, you can shorten the chain and run it without going through the rear mech at all, i think this is what the chap in the shop meant

ideally you want to pick a (middle to easy) sprocket to give a decent chainline, and give some thought to the rest of the journey, if you'll be going up hills it would be sensible to set things up on the small chainring (and stay on it, no shifting on the front!)

you'll have no way to adjust chain tension, so choose the sprocket that will give the tightest chain once cut

Monty Dog

Yes, fitting a removable link and carrying a chaintool is useful for such emergencies. Small chainring and middle sprocket to give a straight-ish chainline and enable you to deal with most terrain. There's still is a risk of the chain coming off so best to take it easy.