Chainline Off on SS -- OK?
 

Is it really detrimental for the chainline to be off by about 3 to 4 mm on a single-speed bike? I figure it's not that bad since chainlines are mostly not perfect on geared bikes.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

3-4mm is pushing it

What's preventing you from getting a good chainline? Money?

Yes. I got this old Clubman road bike for next to nothing, and I want to keep it next to nothing as a beater. I have a custom frame delivered soon and I'll put all the money into that one with good components (Campy, Cinelli, etc.). So with this one, I want to spend as little as possible, like slapping on a freewheel and hope for the best. I can adjust the front chainring to the inside or outside of the spider arms to help, but that's as far as I'm hoping to do in order to save money. (I wish I were rich.)

That should help if you move it to the inside. When you look at it and you think eh that’s good enough it probably isnt. I wish someone would have told me that when I started because it would have saved me some skin.

With my calculation, if I move the chainring to the inside of the spider arms, it should come out about 2 mm off. Eh, that's good enough. :bike2:

Probably good enough. Although, if you want it just right it does not cost anything to re-space the axle and re-dish the wheel, just takes some time.

I would suggest that 3mm on a SS is not a big deal.