Bicycle Mechanics - I think I broke the spring on my Surly Singleator

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alfred mcdougal
01-31-09, 06:33 PM
I think I broke the spring on my Surly Singleator. How do you open it up and replace the spring? I see some kind of locking ring holding the threads in place that screw into a bike frame's dropouts. How do you remove it without damaging it?


JanMM
01-31-09, 08:51 PM
http://www.surlybikes.com/files/NewSingleatorInfo.pdf

See if this helps. I think I had to reverse the spring when I installed a singleator.

JustChuck
01-31-09, 09:14 PM
Remove the circlip with a small screwdriver. Do it someplace you can find it when you shoot it across the room. I have yet to see a broken singulator spring, but I have seen guys spring load them in the wrong direction and damage the spring that way. There are tow springs, one to push the tensioner down and one to push it up. Try to set you bike up with the one pushing up, better chain wrap results.


Chuckie J.
01-31-09, 10:23 PM
If you need a singleator spring (I think it is the "spring down" version) I have one. I gave away the tensioner years ago but have the spring. Send me a note and I'll drop it in the mail. (free, of course)

Chuck

alfred mcdougal
02-01-09, 06:01 PM
Thanks everyone. I opened up the Singleator and found the issue. The part of the spring that goes into the hole in the tension arm was bent. It popped out of the hole. I bent it back in place for the time being and everything seems fine. This task was a pain in the ass. I ordered 2 replacement springs in case this happens again.

For those of you who are interested... Don't over torque the Singleator in attempts to place a lot of tension on your chain, you will do what I did and bend the spring.