anm89

I recently decided to convert my bike to single speed (its not a flip flop there's no fixed side). I have vertical dropouts but I really would like to avoid messing up the direct chain line if I can avoid it and I eyed up my chain on the bike and it looks like it should fit pretty exactly without a tensioner.

How bad of an idea is it to try to just run my setup with vertical dropouts and no tensioner? Is their any reason not to at least try it out and see how it goes?

ADSR

A chain tensioner won't mess anything up. All it does is keep your chain from falling off and possibly harming you.

operator

You need a magic gear for that to work. Once the chain starts wearing, even if you have a perfect ratio, and even if you have uber components - you will get unavoidable slack.

cnnrmccloskey

If your chainlines good than it shouldn't be too hard to get good enough tension to avoid any problems (via magic gears and halflinks)

rogwilco

Is that even as much of a problem with single speed?
I really don't know exactly, but I would think it's not nearly the issue it is with a fixed gear.

Wheelzy

It's bold, and maybe silly, but I can appreciate the desire to avoid an unsightly chain tensioner. I think your best bet, as mentioned earlier, is to use a half-link chain. Then you can simply remove a half link as the chain wears and keep your tension.

bionnaki

I recommend a chain tensioner with ss/vertical dropouts. riding without one and dealing with magic ratios and/or half links would be a major headache.

anm89

Hahha I thought the first post saying that I needed a magic gear was basically saying it wouldnt work.

What is a magic gear?

Darth_Firebolt

a chainring and cog combo that creates perfect tension.

Cynikal 

You basically have two potions. A White Ind. ENO hub.


Or an Eccentric Bottom Bracket like this.

https://forwardcomponents.blogspot.com/

I have a ENO hub and it has been great. The second option I have not tried yet but I plan too. You can do the magic gear thing as well. I'm doing it on one bike, but I got lucky with that one. Have had no issues yet.

Da Tinker

White Industries ENO Eccentric hubs would solve the problem (assuming you want to buy new hubs). https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html#white
Otherwise, you will be building a headache producer.

Dang, Jet, yah beat me to it while I was writing my post!

ismellfish2

I second this emotion. Run the least number of links that'll fit using your current chain; be happy. Unless you're saying singlespeed and meaning fixed, in which case all the other advice offered in this thread applies.

lz4005

You never need a whole chain made from half links. Get one half link. You should be able to get close enough for single speed, provided the chainline is straight.

AEO

that magical case where you hit a bump at the right angle and speed so your worn chain falls off when you least expect it and you run your teeth or nuts into the stem is why you want a tensioner.

but if you understand the risks involved, by all means knock yourself out.