Vertical Drop Out SS - How many have made it work?
09-21-10, 11:00 AM
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Vertical Drop Out SS - How many have made it work?
I am trying to build a single speed on the cheap. I have a mountain bike frame with vertical drop outs. I plan on using a half link chain.
In my mind I don't see how even with a half link chain, the chain tension will be perfect.
How many have made a vertical drop frame into a SS, without using a derailluer or some other chain tensioning device?
In my mind I don't see how even with a half link chain, the chain tension will be perfect.
How many have made a vertical drop frame into a SS, without using a derailluer or some other chain tensioning device?
09-21-10, 11:36 AM
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Chain tension isn't all that critical on an SS, so you should be OK w/o having to add a spring loaded chain tensioner. The chain won't come off when you are pedalling, only possibly when coasting if you hit a bump, but you have brakes on both wheels so it's not a safety issue. I'd give it a go, it'll probably work OK.
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09-21-10, 11:50 AM
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I got lucky with an old C'dale road frame and magic ratio. Ran it fixed no problem, but then I moved to a place where a fixie doesn't fit the riding so I put some gears and a derailleur back on it.
09-21-10, 12:14 PM
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Oh, you know...
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Don't worry about it, just get it as close as you can with/without the half link.
09-21-10, 01:09 PM
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Also, a half-link chain will have double the wear... what may fit nice for a while will get sloppy much faster as the chain wears...
btw, I hate half link chains.
btw, I hate half link chains.
09-21-10, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Slow Riding
I am trying to build a single speed on the cheap. I have a mountain bike frame with vertical drop outs. I plan on using a half link chain.
In my mind I don't see how even with a half link chain, the chain tension will be perfect.
How many have made a vertical drop frame into a SS, without using a derailluer or some other chain tensioning device?
In my mind I don't see how even with a half link chain, the chain tension will be perfect.
How many have made a vertical drop frame into a SS, without using a derailluer or some other chain tensioning device?
"Here's what I plan to do. In my mind, every possible outcome is complete disaster. Has anyone had results that weren't complete disaster?"
Anyway, there are tons of posts about this. You pretty much have to get lucky with a magic gear.
If you want to be super cool, you could try adding a ghost chainring into your drivetrain. But that's technically a "chain tensioning device."
09-21-10, 06:18 PM
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At least I made someone laugh today..........
Actually thats pretty close to what I was thinking.
Eh, I will give it a shot.
I am starting with a 42/14, I can go down in the front to find the magic gear.
Actually thats pretty close to what I was thinking.
Eh, I will give it a shot.
I am starting with a 42/14, I can go down in the front to find the magic gear.
09-21-10, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Slow Riding
At least I made someone laugh today..........
Actually thats pretty close to what I was thinking.
Eh, I will give it a shot.
I am starting with a 42/14, I can go down in the front to find the magic gear.
Actually thats pretty close to what I was thinking.
Eh, I will give it a shot.
I am starting with a 42/14, I can go down in the front to find the magic gear.
09-21-10, 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by zazenzach
that sounds like a very strange gear ratio to start out in. usually people start our with 48/16 i thought
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09-21-10, 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by zazenzach
that sounds like a very strange gear ratio to start out in. usually people start our with 48/16 i thought
09-21-10, 10:09 PM
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suprise?
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I converted an old Cannondale frame once without a tensioner - just had a set of single cogs for the rear cassette on hand and my chain breaker handy. I got pretty close with (one of) the original chainring(s) - buying a 42 ring for up front did the trick. Rode perfect.
09-22-10, 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted by mattyfatty182
I converted an old Cannondale frame once without a tensioner - just had a set of single cogs for the rear cassette on hand and my chain breaker handy. I got pretty close with (one of) the original chainring(s) - buying a 42 ring for up front did the trick. Rode perfect.
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