Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - alternative to singulator

Are there any products out there that are alternatives to a singulator. I'm about to turn my hardtail into a ss and I want to know what ally my options are before I start spending. I already saw the concetic hub, very sweet but well beyond my budget

I like the singulator cause you can reverse the spring so it can push upwards on the chain to keep tension which gives you more chain wrap and less crap hanging out in the breeze. I don't know what other tensioners do this though.

But then again, you'd be even better off if you had a bike with horizontal drops.

magic gears (http://eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php)

I've heard MUCH better things about the Rennen Rollenlager (http://www.hcor.net/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=24), though I've never used one.

Other options would include the Soulcraft converter http://www.soulcraftbikes.com/id57.htm

DMR tension seekers: http://tinyurl.com/p3cd9 (check the reviews on these ones, some aren't glowing:
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Chain_Accessories/product_124651.shtml.

If you can still find them Forge singulator. Forge went belly up in 2003 but you may find some floating around.

Don't go for the oontz...Make one out of an old derailleur, save yourself some serious $$

Make one out of an old derailleur, save yourself some serious $$

+1

how do it single speed my deraileur?

Two ways: remove the cable entirely and use the set screws to adjust the chainline or keep a small section of cable with the fixing bolt at the barrel. You can then use the adjustment in the cable tension as well as the barrell adjuster to tweak your chainline.

Have a look here http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml#ssConversionsChainTension

i personally used an axiom chain tensioner--similar design to the surly one, except that it can only pull the chain down, rather than push it up.

i have no issues with it...and it was cheap! like 30 bucks CDN.

I've heard MUCH better things about the Rennen Rollenlager (http://www.hcor.net/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=24), though I've never used one.
+1 to the rennen. On-one has a knock-off version for seriously less $$, and they have a knock-off singleator too. Don't forget the Paul Melvin either.

I think the Paul Melvin will allow you to still use the front der. to alternate between two chinrings. Seems like a great idea depending on the terrain.

Personally, the best chain tensioner I've used is the Giant chain tensioner. It is rock solid and doesn't use springs, so there's less to fail (such as with the singleator).

Personally, the best chain tensioner I've used is the Giant chain tensioner. It is rock solid and doesn't use springs, so there's less to fail (such as with the singleator).
It's probably similar to the rennen then.

or you can do the ghost ring. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2092962743217919804) Or you can try to figure out what gearing works best for your chainstay length and not have to use a tensioner.

I picked up a new chain and a half link from Harris Cyclery...no more homemade chain tensioner!!

My chainstay is 42cm, and I am running 32x16. A hare tighter than I would prefer, but once the chain streaches a little it will be fine.

I've heard MUCH better things about the Rennen Rollenlager (http://www.hcor.net/modules.php?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=24), though I've never used one.

I run a Rollenlager on my hardtail. Yeah, it's pretty damn solid, and I've never dropped my chain on even the gnarliest singletrack. Removing the rear wheel is a bit of a pain, because there's no spring mechanism. You also need to make sure that your chain is as short as possible, which may require a half-link. Other than that, I'm very satisfied with its performance.

donromer, couldn't find the spring, sorry.