1x builds with classic derailleurs?
08-18-18, 06:37 PM
#1
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1x builds with classic derailleurs?
Hi y'all,
I was wondering, with all the hype of 1x builds on modern road bikes, if anyone has done a 1x build with an older friction shifter and rear derailleur. I was commuting the other day and realized that I never change to a lower gear on my cranks and thought about doing a simple conversion of my own. I'd like to see other builds if there are any on this forum!
best,
Joben
(for those wondering, I'm running nuovo record for the front and rear derailleurs on an early 80's Bianchi nuova alloro)
I was wondering, with all the hype of 1x builds on modern road bikes, if anyone has done a 1x build with an older friction shifter and rear derailleur. I was commuting the other day and realized that I never change to a lower gear on my cranks and thought about doing a simple conversion of my own. I'd like to see other builds if there are any on this forum!
best,
Joben
(for those wondering, I'm running nuovo record for the front and rear derailleurs on an early 80's Bianchi nuova alloro)
Last edited by hellojoben; 08-18-18 at 06:51 PM.
08-18-18, 06:47 PM
#2
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I’m gonna build my mixte 1x7 friction. Have a nice Deore XT long cage, Velomine has FSA vintage looking 44t cranksets for $29(https://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=4707). Just haven’t decided what freewheel to throw on.
Last edited by natterberry; 08-18-18 at 07:03 PM.
08-18-18, 07:00 PM
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I think one might want something like a Sachs Huret Duopar Eco or Campy Rally type derailleur depending on the build. I believe the Duopar Eco had the widest range of any RD for a long time.
08-18-18, 07:14 PM
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Most people wouldn't run into this problem very often, but for a reliable 1xN build you really ought to have something keeping the chain on in the front. Cyclocross racers used to have a variety of front chain guides to solve this problem. More recently, wide-narrow chainrings do the trick. Clutch-type rear derailleurs also help. A 5-speed freewheel might be narrow enough that you'd never have problems with the chain jumping off in the front, especially if you have long chainstays. Or you might just never have a problem with it anyway. Vintage 1x5 bikes weren't unheard of.
The other thing that makes modern 1xN systems so popular is the availability of wide range cassettes. When you've got a 10-50 range in back, it's easy to find one ring up front that handles everything you need. For something like a commuter bike, you can probably find the gear range you want with a narrow-ish freewheel as long as your commute doesn't have too much variation. I could do almost my entire commute comfortably on a singlespeed. The exception being the last quarter mile which kicks up a 20 percent grade. That leaves me two options: (1) a wide range of gears, or (2) walking the last quarter mile. I choose the wide range of gears, but sometimes I walk the last quarter mile anyway..
The other thing that makes modern 1xN systems so popular is the availability of wide range cassettes. When you've got a 10-50 range in back, it's easy to find one ring up front that handles everything you need. For something like a commuter bike, you can probably find the gear range you want with a narrow-ish freewheel as long as your commute doesn't have too much variation. I could do almost my entire commute comfortably on a singlespeed. The exception being the last quarter mile which kicks up a 20 percent grade. That leaves me two options: (1) a wide range of gears, or (2) walking the last quarter mile. I choose the wide range of gears, but sometimes I walk the last quarter mile anyway..
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08-18-18, 07:28 PM
#5
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Most people wouldn't run into this problem very often, but for a reliable 1xN build you really ought to have something keeping the chain on in the front. Cyclocross racers used to have a variety of front chain guides to solve this problem. More recently, wide-narrow chainrings do the trick. Clutch-type rear derailleurs also help. A 5-speed freewheel might be narrow enough that you'd never have problems with the chain jumping off in the front, especially if you have long chainstays. Or you might just never have a problem with it anyway. Vintage 1x5 bikes weren't unheard of.
08-18-18, 07:37 PM
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Thanks for all the info! I wouldn't mind running a 1x5 or 1x6 at all. I currently run a 7 speed shimano HG cassette but only use the first four cogs with the ratios from 3.5:1 - 2.5:1 being the sweet spot for most of my commute anyway. I guess my problem is finding a wide-narrow chainring and modern chain that would work with a vintage cassette and not ruin the look of the "classic" bike. UNLESS you know of any chain guides that have a good look and aren't just all black plastic.
You could always try it with no chain retention and see if you ever drop the chain.
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08-18-18, 08:16 PM
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08-18-18, 09:04 PM
#8
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Like I said you may find that you don't need it for your riding style. You can get classic-looking and actual vintage cranks with a 110-BCD and 110 wide-narrow rings are easy to find though you may be stuck with a black one.
You could always try it with no chain retention and see if you ever drop the chain.
08-18-18, 09:12 PM
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I have 5 bikes that I take care of that are 1x7 and they rarely toss a chain.
08-18-18, 09:19 PM
#10
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Here's a good video of a guy building up a 1x10 gravel bike on a vintage road frame. It covers pretty much any questions you might have. I was in the process of doing the same when I came across it although I only used parts from my old parts bin and went with 3x8. I live in the mountains.
Last edited by jrbz; 08-18-18 at 09:25 PM.
08-18-18, 09:26 PM
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08-18-18, 09:36 PM
#12
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I recently picked up this nice old Peugeot. I didn't realize 1x was a thing. The broken black plastic Simplex FD was supplied, loose, not on the bike. I dug thru my extra parts bin and found a Shimano Exage that works fine. It just looks wrong without a front derailleur. If God had wanted us to ride 1x, He wouldn't have given us a front derailleur.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 08-18-18 at 09:41 PM.
08-18-18, 09:54 PM
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Never heard of wide-narrow chainrings. Once again learned something new.
Don't know if this is any help but here is my set-up. A Mish-mash from the parts bin. 1x6 freehub
39557819_1684389508339058_1273406985210953728_o by K Farm, on Flickr
39468301_1684390561672286_5027094177259716608_n by K Farm, on Flickr
Schwinn Super-shifter
39521885_1684388948339114_3946171335444529152_n by K Farm, on Flickr
Don't know if this is any help but here is my set-up. A Mish-mash from the parts bin. 1x6 freehub
39557819_1684389508339058_1273406985210953728_o by K Farm, on Flickr39468301_1684390561672286_5027094177259716608_n by K Farm, on Flickr
Schwinn Super-shifter
39521885_1684388948339114_3946171335444529152_n by K Farm, on Flickr
Last edited by michael k; 08-18-18 at 09:57 PM.
08-18-18, 10:35 PM
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1x is simple and a bit risky without a cage or side chain guide rings to keep things in place. Campagnolo made both by the way.
There was a custom chainring maker that made chainrings with an extra deep tooth profile to help keep things in place.
08-18-18, 11:14 PM
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No, no chain guide and a couple are vintage some are 15 years old.
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08-19-18, 12:03 AM
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Well a 2007ish Shimano Deore isn't really vintage and the Durace bar end shifter in friction mode is from the same era but I do like my 1x9 2009 Handsome Devil (4130 chromo) its my work horse. I am sure it would be just as good with a 1x6 or 1x7 especially if you had a 34t big cog (mega range) FWIW I bought a chain guide (A Paul Chain Keeper) but never mounted it, never been an issue.
12.21.12 078 by Ryan Surface, on Flickr
12.21.12 078 by Ryan Surface, on Flickr
Last edited by ryansu; 08-19-18 at 12:06 AM.
08-19-18, 12:45 AM
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I'm starting to feel like I introduced more problems than you need to worry about.
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08-19-18, 05:59 AM
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It's taking far longer than anticipated to complete but I've been working on my 1961 Gitane which will have a 1x6 with a Simplex 543. Now that I think of it, the Simplex's unique chain tensioning device might help prevent chain drop.
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08-19-18, 06:14 AM
#19
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I set up my Schwinn Super Sport with a Origin8 crank with 46 tooth chainring and 14-22 5 speed freewheel...SunTour VX derailleur. No problems at all with it.
08-19-18, 06:21 AM
#20
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Ive run many 1X’s that gave me no problems. I use a straight steel ring up front to handle the torque. I use a long cage in the back to hold chain tension better. I keep the drivetrain clean and well lubed most times. I also ride the bike, not rodeo with it.
08-19-18, 06:54 AM
#21
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1x4 and 1x5 with friction were pretty common from the 50ies until the early 90ies here in Switzerland. To fill the gap between the 3speeds and the racing bikes.
08-19-18, 07:20 AM
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08-19-18, 07:30 AM
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08-19-18, 03:35 PM
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No, but early '90s Deore DX is. 😋😁 I have the 7-speed brifters, cantis, & long-cage RD, on my ST-600. The brifters change gears very well, but there's a certain vibe to them, that I'll call friction, for this thread. 🤨😉
I've come to dislike FDs, but I do need a good tensioner. I've dropped the chain a couple times, but mostly from weeds & such, lol. 😁
I've come to dislike FDs, but I do need a good tensioner. I've dropped the chain a couple times, but mostly from weeds & such, lol. 😁
08-19-18, 04:01 PM
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No, track (pista) chainrings are for 1/8" wide chains.
1x is simple and a bit risky without a cage or side chain guide rings to keep things in place. Campagnolo made both by the way.
There was a custom chainring maker that made chainrings with an extra deep tooth profile to help keep things in place.
1x is simple and a bit risky without a cage or side chain guide rings to keep things in place. Campagnolo made both by the way.
There was a custom chainring maker that made chainrings with an extra deep tooth profile to help keep things in place.
Ben
