Zephyr11

I have a DMR Drone and a Shimano Hone triple, and I'm wondering if I can use the middle ring on that and put the Hone on the Drone. I'm also wondering if I'll be able to get away with just a bash guard, or if because it was a middle ring and was setup with shifting ramps or whatever those things are called, if I'll need a chain guide. It'll only be a single speed, not a 1x9 or anything. Also, do I absolutely need a 32t specific guard (size of the Hone's middle ring), or can I get away with a 34t or something else? And if I need a chain guide, do I need something special there? Thanks!

Drone: https://www.dmrbikes.com/res/pdf/catalogue/BIKEDR.pdf
Hone: https://bike.shimano.com/publish/cont..._mountain.html

ed 

I switched mine to a SS and lost the chain 5 times in 1 ride. I made some "rear cog guides" out of old cassette cogs and it solved the problem. I didn't lose the chain off the front...just the rear.

I think you'll be fine, but what are you planning on using out back?

Zephyr11

I think I have a 16 in the back right now. It's whatever came stock and I would have to check to be sure. There's a 34 up front currently, so the gearing will change slightly, but the stock crank isn't all that nice and doesn't have a place to put a guard. Chain has a masterlink so hopefully I can either keep the rear wheel in the same place or slam the dropouts without too many problems. Any idea if there will be any issues with the BB fitting? Not sure how big the shell is on the Drone and can't seem to find that information anywhere, and I haven't messed with BB's enough (or at all really) to know these things (I will have help changing the cranks though...just don't want to go in unprepared with a bunch of stuff that doesn't work). Thanks!

surreal

Zeph,

Drop the inner and outer rings. if you don't use a bashguard, you'll need new chainring bolts. If you do run the bash, you can use the existing bolts. the 34t guard will be fine on the 32t ring. if you go to DMRbikes.com, you can find specs on the bb shell. Regardless, it'll be 68 or 73mm, and will work fine with the hone spindle and BB. It'd be sweeter if it's a 68mm, because you can use spacers to fine-tune the chainline, but it's no big deal either way.

Really, this is a pretty simple process, and once you get a crankset with the external BB, tackling crank maintenance and replacement will seem fun and easy, with the proper tool.

-rob

ed 

Is the Drone a different style BB though? I was reading somewhere Euro threaded.

ChanceCoats123

I am also *kind of* thinking of moving to a 1x9 because I only ever use one of my front chain rings and I could save some weight by getting rid of the other two rings and a skinnier BB.

Zephyr11

No specs on the DMR site, at least not that I can find. Going by one of the dealer websites though, chelboed's got it with Euro. I have the BB that came with the Hone, but will that complicate things more or make the frame incompatible with the Hone's BB?

This is probably the world's most basic question...so it sounds like you guys think I'll be good with just the bash guard, but if I buy a guard and it ends up dropping the chain in front, can I buy a guide separately and add that? Or do I need to pick up one of those guide + guard combination sets and not use the separate guard?

Sorry about all the questions, and thanks for your patience with me.