Problem with Surly Singulator
 

F**k.

I just spaced out a freehub and my chain line is perfect. To get tension because of the vertical drop outs, I installed a singulator (the first I've ever used) and the cog on the Singulator doesn't match or line up with the chain line. The chain stays on the chain ring, the rear cog and the Singulator but its really f**king loud and it's coming from the Singulater. You can see, looking down, that the front of the Singulator cage is veering to the outside of the chain line. WTF? Is the non-replaceable hanger bent or is the Singulator bent? Neither look bent. It's an aluminum frame too so straightening may not be an option. Or is it?

Some history: The last ride on this bike when geared, the chain got sucked up majorly and I put a lot off tork on it trying to get it back on track (and because I was pissed). Could I have bent the hanger or even the right drop out?

I'll get some pictures up later....this seems difficult to describe in words...pictures, man, pictures....

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/images/surly-singleator-07.jpg

see that bolt on the lower right hand part of the picture? loosen that and the wheel can be adjusted to your chainline. then tighten and ride.

Yeah, yeah, but laterally the thing is not straight or perfectly perpendicular to the bike or chain line. I'll have to get some pictures up. Right now, it's impossible to get the chain not to rub on either side of the little cage on the outside of the Singulator wheel/cog. Dig?

In that case, it sounds like your der. hanger is bent. Take it to a shop and see what they can do.

yeah i would imagine that either the singulator isn't installed straight, the drop-out is bent, or maybe just the chain guard on the singulator is bent? i imagine the singulator arm wouldn't be bent, it's pretty solid

what size chain are you running?

gotcha, yeah the hanger could definitely be bent. i've bent them back, even on aluminum frames. it's not a part that bears a lot of load, especially on a singlespeed so i'd say there's pretty low risk.

That's what I wanted to hear. I'll give it some lovin' and hope it doesn't break on me. I was scared of aluminum but now I'm not...thank you!

i also had an aluminum hanger corrected by bending following a crash. mine was rather thick (trek y-foil), so i don't know how that relates, but it's good as new and has not had a single issue.

That said, i had mine done by a shop mechanic with experience in fixing aluminum.