ebenvn Posted June 4, 2012 Share Hi guys, So I finally decided on a SS build, got my frame the weekend (Gary Fisher hardtail)... Super excited to start. Some questions if you could please assist...What chain tensioner to use? (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10009 vs http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=58437).What chain do I use? (8vs9vshalf link/bmx)Do I buy a SS specific crank or a normal one and just remove the blades?Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divernick Posted June 4, 2012 Share Pick any crankGet a chainring that has no ramps and pinsGet a steel cog made for single speedingGet something to space the cog on the freehub - spacers from a couple of old cassettes are cheapest and easiest (ask your LBS for a couple of old worn-out cassettes that they will normally throw away)Get a tensioner, like the Gusset Bachelor, or a spring-loaded one freely available (or use an old road rear derailleur)Get a 6/7/8-speed chainPut it all together and have many happy miles, stopping every 200km or so to add a bit of tension to the chain as it stretches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V12man Posted June 4, 2012 Share Chain tensioner - build it before you decide - you might be lucky (like me) and not need one at all.Chain - anything you like - I use 7speed chains (cheap)Crank - just remove the blades - you will probably need to shorten the washers a bit or the ring will be loose - hacksaw worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenvn Posted June 4, 2012 Share Pick any crank Get a chainring that has no ramps and pins Get a steel cog made for single speeding Get something to space the cog on the freehub - spacers from a couple of old cassettes are cheapest and easiest (ask your LBS for a couple of old worn-out cassettes that they will normally throw away) Get a tensioner, like the Gusset Bachelor, or a spring-loaded one freely available (or use an old road rear derailleur) Get a 6/7/8-speed chain Put it all together and have many happy miles, stopping every 200km or so to add a bit of tension to the chain as it stretches. What do you mean with no ramps or pins? Thanks guys. What size cogs should I buy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakkals. Posted June 4, 2012 Share 18,17,16 teeth so t be the norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share being ramped (The teeth are cut/shaped to allow the chain on a conventionally geared bike to shift over faster/smoother) they are not the best for a SS setup ... case in point .....This morning was very interesting having my chain jump off the good old ramped Shimano cog/blade combo while sprinting ..... fortunately I used my knee and elbo to grind to a halt on the road and manage to save the bike from any serious harm!Another good thing about this is I discovered my local spar carries knee and elbow specific over-sized plasters that fit very well and are rather comfy. Dubber 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Posted June 4, 2012 Share What do you mean with no ramps or pins? Thanks guys. What size cogs should I buy? If you look at a geared bike you will see the chain rings and rear cassette has machined/notches.pins ect on the rings , this is to help gear change so the chain can hookup from one to the next , you dont want those on a SS. a SS ring has smooth sides with none of these . if you on a 26" 32 front 16 rear is a good start but buy some extra rear one , 14,15,16 on a 29er 32 / 18 is a good start get some extras too 15,16,18,20 . have fun , thats the aim of the game . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Posted June 4, 2012 Share being ramped (The teeth are cut/shaped to allow the chain on a conventionally geared bike to shift over faster/smoother) they are not the best for a SS setup ... case in point .....This morning was very interesting having my chain jump off the good old ramped Shimano cog/blade combo while sprinting ..... fortunately I used my knee and elbo to grind to a halt on the road and manage to save the bike from any serious harm! Another good thing about this is I discovered my local spar carries knee and elbow specific over-sized plasters that fit very well and are rather comfy. what he said abot the pins ect probly makes more sense than mine . you have this happen to you once then you learn fast what is correct to use . lots lots of skin eating tar like this lat year. Edited June 4, 2012 by Iron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaLoCo Posted June 4, 2012 Share being ramped (The teeth are cut/shaped to allow the chain on a conventionally geared bike to shift over faster/smoother) they are not the best for a SS setup ... case in point .....This morning was very interesting having my chain jump off the good old ramped Shimano cog/blade combo while sprinting ..... fortunately I used my knee and elbo to grind to a halt on the road and manage to save the bike from any serious harm! Another good thing about this is I discovered my local spar carries knee and elbow specific over-sized plasters that fit very well and are rather comfy.Those better than hydraulic brakes? I remember knees were quite successful when I still had a Chopper in primary school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share Those better than hydraulic brakes? I remember knees were quite successful when I still had a Chopper in primary school. Thankfully the roads were wet so I slid more than ground to a halt, I had a long sleeved jacket, baggies and a back pack on ... the jacket has holes in it now, the baggies are tough as nails as to is the back pack, but the back pack thank fully took a good bit of the brunt from the initial impact. The moral of the story. Of the story is that I need (not want) a SS crank blade with a SS specific rear cog and chain combo. The crank blade and chain are easy to find on ...http://dialdbikes.co.za/dartmoor-totem-chainring.htmlhttp://dialdbikes.co.za/dartmoor-core-chain.html But I am still searching for a cog before I press the purchase button. SimpleDom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron Posted June 4, 2012 Share Thankfully the roads were wet so I slid more than ground to a halt, I had a long sleeved jacket, baggies and a back pack on ... the jacket has holes in it now, the baggies are tough as nails as to is the back pack, but the back pack thank fully took a good bit of the brunt from the initial impact. The moral of the story. Of the story is that I need (not want) a SS crank blade with a SS specific rear cog and chain combo. The crank blade and chain are easy to find on ...http://dialdbikes.co...-chainring.htmlhttp://dialdbikes.co...core-chain.html But I am still searching for a cog before I press the purchase button. CRC , have them DX shimano rear cog is the way to go . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share Dialed bikes pricing is excellent and the boys are SA based store, the DX though on CRC only comes in largest 18t ... I need both an 18t and 20t with the 20t being the priority in CT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share CRC do have these though .... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17778 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JarradVZ Posted June 4, 2012 Share CRC do have these though .... http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17778Those will work but aren't ideal. Look for cogs with a wider base that are less likely to damage the freehub body over time (wider base = force spread over a larger surface area). Brands like Niner, Endless cogs and On-One do them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share Those will work but aren't ideal. Look for cogs with a wider base that are less likely to damage the freehub body over time (wider base = force spread over a larger surface area). Brands like Niner, Endless cogs and On-One do them. Will check with on-one .. the Niner ones look nice, but I have heard they do not last long at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted June 4, 2012 Share On-One blade: http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/CROOSS-32-SIL-IN/on_one_stainless_chainring___32t___silver___inner_position On-One Cog: http://on-one.co.uk/i/q/SKOOSSGA/on_one_groove_armada_single_speed_sprocket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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