Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Can I use a Shimano Biopace (Eliptical chain ring) on a single speed/fixie?

The title says it all. I have an old Shimano crankset with Biopace chainrings. I plan to
use the 42T ring, but it is elipitcal. I am not putting any tensioner or what not, just
a crankset and a cog. I doubt it will work. am I right or wrong?

You are wrong. It will work.

really? how come? The chain wouldn't get some slack in some positions?


You are wrong. It will work.

sheldon did it.

for the affordability of a new ring, I'd just get a new one.....

from sheldon:


People are often astonished to learn that I ride Biopace chainrings on fixed-gear bikes. They imagine that there will be tremendous changes in chain tension as the chainring rotates. In practice, this is not the case. A 42 tooth chainring will generally engage 21 teeth against 21 chain rollers, regardless of its shape.
There is a slight variation in tension resulting from the varying angle between the two straight runs of chain as the axis of the chainring rotates, but this has not generally been of a sufficient magnitude to cause any problem in practice for me.

I ran a biopace on my conversion for about a year (~1000 mi or so). I didn't have the straightest chainline (road cranks) and I only threw the chain once going downhill on an already slack-ish chain. If it's setup properly, it should be fine.

Since I'm getting rid of the big ring, where can I get the chainbolts with the correct stack height?
Can I use some home-depot washers?

your lbs or benscycle.net

IMO, don't skimp on the bolts.. the cheap alloy bolts tend to snap.

those single speed bolts will work with my crankarm and chainring?

1 ring+crank=single speed bolts, yes.
$12 for steel suginos at bens.