Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Going the Single Speed Way

Hi Gang,

As you may or may not know, I'm currently building up my Trek 8500 into a singlespeed, and have a couple of options of chain tensioners.

The DMR Tension seeker

http://www.dmrbikes.com/products/chaindevices/tensionseek_lrg.jpg

and the Soulcraft Convert

http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/1f364170.jpg

The DMR is quite easily assessable in the UK, but the Soulcraft is a little more tricky to get hold of.

They're both around the same price, but the Soulcraft looks like the better bet. What are your views?

Cheers..................Rich

The soulcraft looks like it uses a roller from a MRP chainquide, the DMR uses a regular derailleur pulley. Either way you go, they both look good!

You said they're both readily available, and about the same price. How much are they?

Have you ruled out the Surly Singleator?

L8R

Soulcraft gets my vote. Short of this product they also make some very sweet steel hardtails.

Before you run our and grab a tensioner, try punching some numbers in this gear calculator
http://www.peak.org/~fixin/
A lot of times you can get away without using any tensioner which is much more desirable. If you are close to having a compatible size but not quite there, sometimes a half-link (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed.html#chains) (listed as a offset link) is all you'll need.

Also, check this page for an easy but effective homemade tensioner.
http://www.geocities.com/mtnwuff/SStens.html

You can also use an old derailluer. Otherwise, the two pix you show look like good options and there is also the Surly and Paul's Components models, but I don't know about availablility in the UK. The UK folks over at the Singletrack Forums might be able to help. Plenty of SSers over there.
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/list.php?f=2

Thanks guys :D

I'll check out those bits of info Rider, very helpful...ride on gang!

Rich

Originally posted by a2psyklnut

You said they're both readily available, and about the same price. How much are they?

L8R

Hi mate,

the Soulcraft Convert goes for $60.00, DMR Tension Seeker goes for £31.95 and the Surley Singleator goes for $50.00

Hmmm...all much of a muchness price wise, but the Soulcraft does look sexy...

Rich

also look at the singleator...

This might be a silly question, but if you have gears in the back already, why take off the old derailluer at all? You could just limit it onto the gear you want. Or you could just keep a functioning set of gears in the back.

I mean, not to rain on the SS parade. I just feel like, if you're putting on a tensioning mechanism, you might as well have gears.