Originally Posted by
KrisPistofferson
Couldn't a guy like me with a bike that has vertical dropouts simply get an 8-speed hub and use a triple chainring up front since I need a chain tensioner anyway? Can this be done? Seems like I'd have just as large a gear range as Rohloff for far cheaper.
According to the aebikes.com website the Paul Melvin chain tensioner can handle 20 teeth. Conceivably you could use a 22-32-42 or 28-38-48 triple crank without problems. It's a bit pricey at $64. From the utility standpoint, you would sacrifice a little reliability, but front derailleurs are fairly bombproof.