gus6464

Have a Fuji Cross Comp frame hanging in my garage wanting to be built up. I have been reading up on it and I am going to be using an Ultegra 6600 standard crank I have laying around with the big ring taken off.

For rear cog I was thinking 19t for an almost 2:1 ratio and just use spacers on one of the rear wheels I have with a chain tensioner. Can anyone recommend a good tensioner, brake levers, and rear cog? Also a standard 8-sp chain works right?

Andy_K 

The coolest way to handle the chain tensioning is the Forward Concepts external eccentric bottom bracket. It's kind of pricy, but it's compatible with Shimano Hollowtech II cranks. Barring that, you could try finding a magic gear, which I've seen done with a lot of success. I've also heard good things about the Surly Singlator.

I do think 2:1 is a good gear ratio. You can find a lot of cogs at Universal Cycles (and spacer kits too). I like the Tektro R200 brake levers. An 8-speed chain will work.

flargle

If it were me, I'd use the Soulcraft.
https://www.soulcraftbikes.com/convert.php

Oil_LOL

You could always use a derailleur you have lying around as a chain tensioner. My friend uses a Shimano Tourney (dept. store level), on his converted ss mountain bike.

gus6464

I have an old sora rd lying around that still works perfectly. Do I have to do any type of modifications to it?

Cynikal 

Nope. Just use an old cable to adjust. Or buy a $20 SS kit from nashbar and use a tensioner.

roburrito

I converted a early 90s touring bike to an SSCX. It had really ****ty Altus components but road geometry and 700c wheels. It has horizontal dropouts, so I didn't have to worry about chain tension. Threaded hub so I respaced the hub and redished the wheel (using Sheldon's guide). Was just out riding it today and thinking how I love that SS lets you really focus on handling the trail and forgetting about maintaining a cadence. That said, I'm planning on re-gearing it with a new wheelset I picked up and some other stray components for a ride with a lot of vertical climb (D2R2).

Here's a quick snap.

Andy_K 

I read in Cyclocross Magazine that Adam Craig uses a magic gear because "chain doohickeys make noise and collect debris."

flargle

Clean.

flargle

"Magic" if you don't mind pushing 42:16.

Soulcraft. No springs, no pulleys.

Cynikal 

Yeah, Adam is a beast. I want options for different gearing.

Love my EBB on the Sycip.

gus6464

I have been reading some of the more specific CX forums and I found some posts that mention that a tensioner might not be needed if you go with a 2:1 ratio and the chain is properly installed. Has anyone tried it?

Andy_K 

The ratio isn't really the big factor. It depends on the size of your rings and the length of your chain stays. This is the "magic gear" option I mentioned above. For Adam Craig, it works with a 42:16 gear and a slightly worn chain. For mere mortals, there are other configurations that may work. You can get half-links that help with this. As Cynikal rightly points out, you'll be somewhat limited in your options.

This link is a calculator that helps you find your magic gear: https://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php

UBUvelo

small b u m p ... i'm in the same situation, just jumped into ss (32x18 on a 29er)....but starting to consider an sscx set up:

https://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/p...rs-226049.html

shows incredible ingenuity...at moments...for solving the issue from the 'tensioner' application