ahiggins_1

Hi,
Can someone help with questions regarding a single speed chain?
I have recently built a vintage Carlton single speed bicycle but have found that the chain
is slipping. The chain is a road bike chain so I wondered if I needed a specific single speed
chain?
I have used a hub conversion kit as shown in the pictures.
Any help would be appreciated.

TejanoTrackie 

It kinda looks like your wheel is not centered in the frame, so your rear sprocket is not inline with your chainring. Normally the rear sprocket (cog) is moved outboard using the spacers, so when the wheel is centered in the frame, the cog is aligned with the chainring.

hairnet

I think that is all he has to do. The angle of the photo makes it hard to tell if the wheel really is off center, but from the look of it -if it is off- he would have to move the wheel toward the drive side. By looking a the freehub there isnt room to do that.

ahiggins_1

So if I move the sprocket out over, it will work better??

TejanoTrackie 

I was thinking more along the lines of the axle on the left side being pulled back more in the dropout, such that the wheel is turned to the left and not parallel to the plane of the frame or chainring. It's also possible that the rim is not centered on the hub and needs to be redished.

hairnet

got it

ahiggins_1

Thanks for the help guys. I moved the sprocket over a bit and has seemed to work.
There is a slight twist in the chain but with a bit of adjusting with the spacers it should
be sorted.
The only other thing was that the right side of the quick release was slipping down the
drop out. I managed to fix it by putting a derailleur attachment between the frame and
quick release but I dont know how suitable this is?

New alignment...


The whole bike!

Motopecane

Using a quick release on a rear wheel single speed is a pain. You have to pull the wheel back to tighten the chain, get the wheel centered, and then try to hold it in place while you close the quick release. I had a quick release on my singlespeed and the only advantage I can see is that you can change the chain tension in a pinch. I don't see any practical reason for taking off the rear wheel. But that is just my opinion.

TejanoTrackie 

The QR should be able to hold the wheel tight enough to prevent the axle from pulling forward under load. Try screwing the nut on more so the lever clamps tighter.

Your bike looks great!

evanmontegarde

I carry around a wrench for this reason, in case I have to adjust the chain for any reason. Was rather convenient yesterday when my chain fell off the back sprocket due to poor dishing. I definitely prefer not using a quick release on my back wheel for the reasons you stated.

Nice looking bike btw TC!

ahiggins_1

Thanks,
I did my hardest to get it as tight as possible without the attachment in but it just didnt work. I'll see how
I go with this.
Can any chain be separated at any point, links taken out and put back together again without any problems?
I have done this with my chain in a few points and dont want it to snap when going up hills under strain.

Nuggetross

oh yeah. that bar tape looks totally cool...

TejanoTrackie 

It depends on the chain. 9 and 10 speed chains usually require the use of special replacement pins, but your chain appears to be a normal 3/32 chain with reusable pins. Just be sure to use a good chain tool and to not push the pin all the way out of the outer link plate. Also, get a tool tool that has a tight link spreader. If you repeatedly break and reassemble a chain, try to do it at a different point each time.

ahiggins_1

Thanks for all the help, its much appreciated!!!
After all of the carry on with restoring a 1970's frame with new/retro part, its good
knowing that its finally finished.

JohnDThompson 

Until yo get a flat, at least. A quick release means you won't need to carry a wrench to remove the wheel, but you'll still need to carry tire irons & spare tube if you're going to fix it yourself. I just throw a peanut butter wrench in with the other stuff to handle the track nuts; it's not that big or heavy to carry around.

adriano 

put gears on that.

FastJake

Can your rear wheel even turn like that? It looks like the lockring is jammed up against your dropout.

ahiggins_1

The wheel is fine with the frame like that. I can't see why this would make any difference as the lockring does not move?

FastJake

That's a cassette Freehub, right? If so, the lockring turns whenever the sprocket(s) turn.

fuji86

To me it looks like the spacer needs to go on the other side inside of the non-chain side ? Pretty bike though.

zazenzach

the bigger question is...why would you use dura ace components on a single speed? seems like a waste of money to me