Single Speed Mountain Bike Gearing
Single Speed Mountain Bikers – Question For You!?
I have a 26 inch hardtail that I’d like to convert to a single speed. But I’m curious about something. With conversion kits, how “good” are the chain tensioners? I’m just questioning how well they hold up and if anybody out there with a hardtail converted to single speed has had any issues with a skipping chain or not.
So – Hardtail Riders who have converted their geared Mt Bike to a SS…. How is it? Is it solid? How is the chain? Does it stay tight on the gears? Any skipping?
Has anybody ridden a converted single speed AND a true single speed? I’m wondering what the differences are in a bike that’s been converted versus a bike that comes manufactured AS a single speed.
Any input?
Thanks!
Conversion kits allow you to enjoy riding one cog, but they aren’t perfect. With the chain running through the tensioner’s pulley, you’ll have some added drag (and possibly “slop”) that you wouldn’t have with a true SS.
A couple things to keep in mind; use the right size chain recommended for the tensioner to avoid damage to the pulleys. And cassette cogs and multi-speed chainrings have shorter teeth equipped with features that make it easier for the chain to derail to the next cog or chainring; if you’re not switching to a dedicated singlespeed cog and chainring, you’ll want to be extra careful to get a good chainline and to achieve proper chain tension.
Single Speed Conversion – How to
