Mountain Biking - What do I need to go single chainring?

I mentioned this in my rebuild thread, but I figured it would get more responses on its own.

I'm in the process of rebuilding a mountain bike that it does not look like I will be able to use a front derailleur on (frame damage), so I'm considering running a single ring up front and a cassette and derailleur out back.

Since I just purchased an LX crank and BB, I'd rather not buy a new single ring crank, so I'm looking for something to keep my chain on the middle ring and keep it from dropping onto the granny. Due to the frame design (pic (http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2085.jpg)) I don't think I can use a tensioner that mounts on the chainstay, and all the other tensioners I've found assume a single speed rear gear.

Has anyone else tried doing this, and if so, what was your solution? Is it as simple as mounting a 3rd eye chain watcher sort of thing, or do I need something else? Thanks.

They make a couple of different products, checkout the following:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=1615

I've recently bought the 3rd eye chain watcher, it seems to work although I haven't had it long and haven't used it much.

If you aren't going to be using the granny gear I would just remove it.

I mentioned this in my rebuild thread, but I figured it would get more responses on its own.

I'm in the process of rebuilding a mountain bike that it does not look like I will be able to use a front derailleur on (frame damage), so I'm considering running a single ring up front and a cassette and derailleur out back.

Since I just purchased an LX crank and BB, I'd rather not buy a new single ring crank, so I'm looking for something to keep my chain on the middle ring and keep it from dropping onto the granny. Due to the frame design (pic (http://cydewaze.org/album/previews/imgp2085.jpg)) I don't think I can use a tensioner that mounts on the chainstay, and all the other tensioners I've found assume a single speed rear gear.

Has anyone else tried doing this, and if so, what was your solution? Is it as simple as mounting a 3rd eye chain watcher sort of thing, or do I need something else? Thanks.
on one of my bikes, i simply shortened the chain a bit since i wasn't going to use the largest ring. i also replaced the larger ring with an e.thirteen plastic bash guard to keep my pants from getting caught since this is my commuter bike.

originally, i had just tucked my pants into my sock on the right side. but then people started making fun of me and yelling "VIRGIN" out the car windows. :(

i haven't had problems with the chain dropping, but it is not used on the roughest of terrain either

I run an e13 bashguard where the largest ring was and an NGear Jumpstop to keep the chain from dropping when I rapidly downshift.

on one of my bikes, i simply shortened the chain a bit since i wasn't going to use the largest ring.

Yeah, if you are not going to use the big ring, might as well shorten up your chain. I was able to take 6 six links out. That saved me like 15 grams! Sweet! :D

I just looked at the pic :eek: What is that??

Omg I was gunno ask the same question haha.

I just looked at the pic :eek: What is that??
You mean my bike? It's a '92 AlpineStars Al-Mega.

For now I went the 3rd eye chain watcher route. If that doesn't work, BTI offers these options:

https://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/BK/BK5602.jpg

https://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/HE/HE3100.jpg

Also, I'll probably ditch the big ring and run a bash guard or something. I'm also going to shorten the chain up and try to find a short cage rear derailleur.

I use a Dirty Parts Jack boomerang tensioner, around $40. Non ESCG mount.
The Jack is for single chainring only. Use an outer bashguard, I don't use the upper pulley.
Triple crank and mount the ring mid spyder.

You mean my bike? It's a '92 AlpineStars Al-Mega.

For now I went the 3rd eye chain watcher route. If that doesn't work, BTI offers these options:

https://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/BK/BK5602.jpg

https://www.bti-usa.com/pictures/HE/HE3100.jpg

Also, I'll probably ditch the big ring and run a bash guard or something. I'm also going to shorten the chain up and try to find a short cage rear derailleur.

hey, where di you say you could get those chain guides...i'm not familiar with the upper one, i'm using the lower one (Heim) right now.....looks like a patent problem there

please let me know..forgot to add that you should not get the heim guide, because the roller is tapered, which means that you can't backpedal or the chain will derail from the chainring...the other one doesn't look like it has that taper...on my heim, i took the roller off and replaced it with an MRP roller, which has a groove for the chain

sorry for the long post, don't want somebody to make the same mistake i did :)

sorry for the long post, don't want somebody to make the same mistake i did :)
Hey thanks, that was useful info.

I got both those pics off the BTI (https://www.bti-usa.com/) website. They're a wholesale distributor that sells to LBSs, so if your LBS deals with BTI, they can get anything in that catalog.