1x10 Conversion Advice
 

Hello Lovely Forum Members,

I'm finally finishing my Surly Cross Check for commuting and I need some advice about converting a standard double crank into a singlespeed crank. I'm running a 10 speed XT cassette in the rear with an XTR RD. I'm using a bar-end shifter for that. After much thought, I've decided to try just using the 39T chainring in the front. I've got an older Dura Ace crank to use (7403 I think). I've seen articles proposing a bash guard, a chain keeper, and both when removing the larger ring. I'm wondering if it's possible to use singlespeed chainring bolts and then a chain keeper. Or do I even need the chain keeper? Also, any advice on what chain to use? I have an Ultegra 10 speed in my garage that I'd love to put to use, but I am also open to buying a new one.

Thanks in advance for the help!

chainring guards are nice if you like to ride in street pants, like for commuting or whatever. and of course, as bash rings for heavy duty dirt riding. cyclocross singles often run one on each side to make it harder to derail the chain, and I think the DH mountain crowd might do that, too. ditto the urban stunter crowd.

.

Just bear in mind the best chainline centers the 1 chainring in the middle of the rear cluster..
so , middle of a triple is better..
than either of the places on a double, because then the best line is, actually, between them..

apparently, we haven't met. :lol:

i've been running singlespeeds for the last three or four years and used a 8x1 for a extensive 9 month tour and thousands of miles of commuting. never had problems with a spontaneously derailing chain. proper chain tension is required of course. tight enough to keep from slapping and/or derailing. tight enough to not bind, etc.

i use the easy to break and reconnect Sram PC-1 (old style push out pins on every link). inexpensive too. ten bucks for the plain one and a couple bucks more for the fancy nickel plated one. i use 3/32" on cog, chain, and chainring.

there's a lot of stuff in the singlespeed forum if you can hack the negativity...

It's easy enough to purchase a 3mm longer bottom bracket. Your knees won't notice the additional Q.

Many thanks all! I knew about the application of chainring guards for pants' sake and mud's sake. Since I'm already known as a hopeless bike nerd by friends and coworkers, I've never minded doing the old pants roll. And as for dirt, that goes on my 29er. These two facts made me wonder about a chainring guard for 'protective' purposes. I do see the use as a sort of chain guide, but all the options I've come across in a search tonight are so danged ugly. Thanks all the same, pierce. I shall keep it in mind.
Mr. Fietsbob, thank you for the thoughts on a triple. I wish I had one sitting around but I've already gone horrendously over budget on this project. If the double doesn't seem to cause too much trouble I am hoping it will work. On a complete side note, to what does your subtitle coprolite refer? I work in archaeology and I've seen my fair share...
And finally hueyhollihan, thank you for the thoughts on 1xn drivetrains. It's nice to know that I could maybe take this setup on a long tour sometime without too much fiddling. I'll be looking into one of the SRAM chains you mentioned. I'm a big fan of cheap and easy to break (which in my book usually means faster adjustment). I see you're a neighbor to me in the east Bay Area so you're familiar with the hills I have ahead.

Goodnight all!

by swapping bottom brackets, you can make any chain line work. I have a 1x7 that used to be a 1x5 that uses a double crank from the 70s with a single 44T Salsa chain ring, the chain line is nearly perfect because I measured how far off it was with the original funky worn out BB and replaced the BB with a new one who's axle length was adjusted by twice the difference I wanted (did this 10 years ago so don't ask me to remember the numbers). I usually use $20-25 Shimano UN55 BB's for this sort of thing.

otherwise, figure out what part of the cassette you'll spend most of your time on, and mount the ring on that side of your double so it will be happy most of the time... with a 10 speed rear, you'll pretty much have to run a 10 speed chain and RD, so you probably should use a front chain ring from a 10 speed crankset (they are a little thinner than 7/8 stuffs).

oh. S'Cruzer as in Santa Cruz, where I live :)

one of my internet domains is freescruz.com too, heh (nothing to see there, hah).