Originally Posted by rykoala
I need to know if its possible to:
1) Use normal 7 speed freewheel and just pulling all the cogs off and use spacers and the like to get a perfect chainline, leaving the chainwheel alone of course
2) Hack a derailer into a tensioner
Anyone done either?
Trying to determine if I actually want to make my Trek 820 into SS. Its a TAD too small for me but might be perfect for tossing around, could be lots of fun!
1) Did it to my old Trek 930 and now running it on my new to me Kona Lava Dome. Just brake apart the cassette and space out the cog with the spacers from the busted up cassette. You will probably need more spacers. I'd recommend getting a BMX cog like the Shimano DX ones rather than using a cog from your cassette. Make sure your chainline is perfect to avoid the dreaded chain throwing.
2) I used a BMX half-link to get my chain tensioned properly. Works like a charm. I've heard of people using derailleurs as tensioners...involves a shortened piece of cable and adjusting the derailleur. I've also seen a pic of someone who used an old V brake arm bolted to the derailleur hanger with a pulley attached to the brake arm as a tensioner. I'll try to find a pic or link.
Here's a link to a good SS FAQ page...
http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml