Single Chainring Geared Bikes -- any advice?
05-11-11, 05:20 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
Single Chainring Geared Bikes -- any advice?
I'm thinking about modifying my now SS Volpe into a geared bike with a single chainring. Do I need to worry about a chain guard of the big ring?
Thanks
RFC
Thanks
RFC
05-11-11, 05:30 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 10,303
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
33 Posts
I am not clear on your question - Do you mean the big cog?
If so, I would think you may have the raise the chain guard at the rear a little, in the event that you get chain slap due to it's closer proximity when in low gear.
If so, I would think you may have the raise the chain guard at the rear a little, in the event that you get chain slap due to it's closer proximity when in low gear.
__________________
- Auchen
- Auchen
05-11-11, 06:12 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: vermont
Posts: 3,081
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
I have an old Carlton Corsair that is a five speed from the factory. I have noticed that I am able to sprint and pedal over bumps but there is a tendency for the chain to derail going from a fast cadence to "stopped" or slowing too fast. I have found it generally better to keep a very low pedaling cadence with a 5-speed .
05-11-11, 06:15 PM
#4
Wookie Jesus inspires me.
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 2,215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If you're talking about a guard to prevent dropping when you cross chain then I would suggest you get one. I built a bike like that and it dropped frequently over bumps or a quickshift throughout the range even with the chainline in the dead center of the cluster. I used a front derailleur to keep the chain and it worked perfectly. Some people get away without it though.
But I am not sure that's what you're asking...
But I am not sure that's what you're asking...
05-11-11, 06:24 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Pinole, CA, USA
Posts: 17,392
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 443 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 27 Times
in
25 Posts
It's clear enough to me. Try it and see if the chain drops. If so, there are a few fixes, the simplest of which is an immobilized front derailer.
I'm not sure if it made a difference that I used a Simplex derailer with a sprung top pivot, but seemed to keep a lot of tension on the chain. I never had the chain drop. Peugeot built a lot of five speeds with Simplex derailers.
I'm not sure if it made a difference that I used a Simplex derailer with a sprung top pivot, but seemed to keep a lot of tension on the chain. I never had the chain drop. Peugeot built a lot of five speeds with Simplex derailers.
Last edited by Grand Bois; 05-11-11 at 06:38 PM.
05-11-11, 06:32 PM
#6
Oh Snap, not again...
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Cardiff, Ca
Posts: 606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Exactly. I have my beater/grocery getter 5 speed with a 50 up front and 14-28 rear with no problems. My daughters bike, very similar but with a 44 I believe up front and she would drop the chain. A fixed front derailer up front solved it.
05-11-11, 07:48 PM
#9
is just a real cool dude
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: The Thumb, MI
Posts: 3,165
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 32 Times
in
14 Posts
I was thinking of doing the same thing with my World Sport frame for a CX build. I have a pair of NR cranks but only a 42T chainring for it. Then I'd run a 5 or 6 speed freewheel in the rear. I was wondering if I'd have problems with dropping the chain also. Guess I'll just have to find out.
05-11-11, 08:00 PM
#10
Wood
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Beaumont, Tx
Posts: 2,293
Bikes: Raleigh Sports: hers. Vianelli Professional & Bridgestone 300: mine
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
10 Posts
I am contemplating doing the same thing, I'll have a 42 x 14-28 fw. I suspect chain length and RD spring tension will be key factors.
I imagine the shortest chain that will do the job is best.
I imagine the shortest chain that will do the job is best.
05-11-11, 08:11 PM
#11
Senior Member
I have a 45 x 13-30. I've never had the chain drop. I supposed if there's not enough chain tension, it could be an issue.
05-11-11, 08:33 PM
#12
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
FWI- I rode a UO9 for years with only a RD, making it a 5 spd. Kept the Chain on the large ring and never had a problem with the chain drop or with cross over.
05-11-11, 08:43 PM
#13
French threaded
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, OR.
Posts: 1,199
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Same here. A 5 speed uo-09 because the front deraillieur was broken when I got it. My first road bike. *daydreaming*
05-11-11, 11:07 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Posts: 4,466
Bikes: many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
13 Posts
All good advice. Thanks. Seems like chain/RD tension may be a clue. In other words, "make that derailleur scream!" 
05-12-11, 06:26 AM
#15
Get off my lawn!
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: The Garden State
Posts: 6,031
Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 98 Times
in
48 Posts
Originally Posted by Velognome 
FWI- I rode a UO9 for years with only a RD, making it a 5 spd. Kept the Chain on the large ring and never had a problem with the chain drop or with cross over.
Same here. A 5 speed uo-09 because the front deraillieur was broken when I got it. My first road bike. *daydreaming*
All good advice. Thanks. Seems like chain/RD tension may be a clue. In other words, "make that derailleur scream!" 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aprhockey
Bicycle Mechanics
4
03-30-11 05:51 AM
