Trek Marlin 29r 1x9?
 

So I am wondering how I can make my 2011 Trek Marlin 29r into a 1x9? Would I need to just replace the crank and get a chain tensioner? I am looking for the cheapest possible option! All my friends rock s.s bikes and yet this bike has sentimental purposes I won't get rid of it so just trying to see what my options could be....thanks

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f3...anj/marlin.jpg

Unless I am missing something, why wouldn't you just pull the front chain rings that you don't want, front deraileur, corresponding shifter, and go for it?

makes sense, I will try that. Thanks!

Proceed with caution! I am, by NO MEANS, an authority on this stuff. Was just juxtaposing out loud!

Good luck! I think you will end up with a ROCKET!

Do you actually want to go 1x9 or do you just want to fit in with your friends? Not trying to be a jerk, just genuinely curious if you've thought this through.

As far as the conversion, I've never done it but from what I've seen I think you can just pull off the two chain rings you don't want, get a chain stopper & bash guard & ride off into the sunset. I might be mistaken about being able to pull off the chain rings though, in which case you would need a new crankset.

I've been thinking about a 1x9 setup myself, but I only just finished building my bike a few months ago & I want to enjoy it & learn more about it for at least a year or so before I start changing things around.

Buy:
-outer bash ring
-innger ring (BBG or Blackspire)

Dump the FD, shifter, derailleur, granny, and big ring. Bolt the outer bash on the 104bcd holes. Bolt the inner ring where your granny used to be. If you're running an outboard bearing crankset, move one of the spacers from the drive side to the non-drive side to line up your chainline a bit.

For future reference if I ever decide to do this, GXP BB's are outboard, correct?

Quit using your left thumb. Instant 1x9.

There is no romance in that.

If I wanted to fit in with my friends I would just buy a ss frame and build it up. The single track trails here in Jersey don't require a lot of gears, when I ride I am in the high chain ring and rarely use the middle or low. so the 1x9 would be ideal thus making my bike a little lighter by eliminating all the bulk which I won't use. I ordered a s.s chainring so waiting for that. Down the road I will prolly build up a carbon s.s to my liking but in the meantime I will convert this to a 1x9. What bike are you riding?

Makes sense. I'm riding a KHS XCT535 I built up last year. I rarely use the granny gear & never the tall gear, & my FD (X7) doesn't fit my frame right & requires a section of cable housing in a spot where the cable would otherwise rub very hard against the chain stay. Hasn't caused problems yet, but I still hate having unnecessary moving parts. Just one more thing to maintain.

oh sweet my cousin had a KHS XCT535 XC full suspension 26' that he built up, sold it on Ebay and just finished his S.S build. He loved his KHS but I think all the hype with the 29r and S.s got to him. I would totally go 1x9 too than! Post pics if you do it, I will too, good luck!