bfloyd

I am converting a road bike to be a single speed and was wondering what front ring space is best used, the middle ring or the big ring position. I am using a cassette rear so I can space the cog as needed to match the front. Thanks.

Dostoy

big ring position = more handsome?

FlatFender

big ring

dutret

little ring then you can put a chainguard on the big one.

pyze-guy

Better with the chainguard.

Aeroplane

Put a big ring on the big ring position. Who cares what size cog you need to get your ratio, you will look like a badass with a big ring.

bfloyd

Ha, cool.

mander

I vote big ring---it looks much nicer. Dutret, why would you want a chainguard on a road bike?

666pack

big ring = big balls.

sivat

Outer space = more clearance for a bigger ring, better looking.
Inner space = more clearance between the pants and chain and ability to mount a chainguard, which will also help keep your pants out of the chain. Of course, you could just roll them up.

jamey

maybe i'm the laziest person in the world but i've thrown the idea of a chainring around because sometimes rolling up my pants is a pain in the ass.

666pack

as much as riding on the inner ring of my old road cranks was, it was nice to be able to be lazy and not roll the pants up.

veggiemafia

Damn right. I want to build a bike with 72/24 gearing.

Also, anybody who thinks it's nice to be lazy and not roll up your pants needs to take the next step, I think. Roll up your pants, keep them rolled up, and wear the same pair of pants every day.

666pack

when you live amongst a large number of conformists this is frowned upon. i do it anyway, but it's frowned upon.

br995

I do that (sort of). But only because otherwise I'll forget to roll my pants up, and I'm really not interested in learning what it's like to get them caught.

CF4L

wow. everyone seems to love the big ring. i vote middle ring. It will weigh less and give a much much better chain line with a usable gear. If you go big ring, you will line up with your tallest gear, which will be no good for around town.

jamey

haha maybe i lose more points but i only keep my right leg rolled up to avoid the grease marks on my pants..i guess it could lead to bodily harm though....

pyze-guy

Spacing out the rear wheel means any size cog can be used, so it won't matter. Anyways post was about was about ring position, not which ring to use.

pyze-guy

On a s/s not so bad, pants are ripped. On a fix, pants are ripped off. Like the whole leg gets shredded. At least mine ended up like that.

ersatz radio

I vote for the middle ring in the big ring position.

sivat

The weight difference will be negligible. The drivetrain wear using a big ring and cog will be noticeably less. Since he is spacing the rear and only using one cog anyway, the rest of your post doesn't apply. Also, going with a big chainring/big cog means you can make finer adjustments to your gear ratio if you are so inclined.