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How To Check Whether You Can Run Single Speed Without Tensioner


Monkey

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For a given length of chain and a certain gear combination there is only one chainstay length that will be perfect :sleeping: .

You can either find out if you have the right frame for it, or if you are prepared to go for a slightly different combination (assuming someone makes the chainring/sprocket/freewheel you need) you can find out what you would need to use by entering your chainstay/chainring/sprocket information on this web page.

Change the tyre size if you want to, but it's only used for the gear inches calculation. It's best to assume a new chain, because I'm not sure what you'd need to enter in the chain stretch bit.

You'd end up with more options if you allowed a half link, but you'd also end up needing a half link

I changed my mountainbike to singlespeed before posting this, and the chain is just right for me... 44T chainring, 17T sprocket, 42.5cm chainstay. The only problem I really had was lining up the ring with the sprocket.

DISCLAIMER B) : It worked for me. I don't see why it shouldn't work for you, but I'm not going to get blamed for it... :)

Edited by Monkey
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He has a chain tolerance variable though :sleeping:

1 step ahead B)

yeah, but just cause you can account for chain stretch won't stop it from happening, and won't stop your chain from eventually being too loose for the gear you'd like to use.

...unless you want to change your front and rear cog every month or so to deal with chain stretch.

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming credit for writing that page.

I did once work out a formula to stick in a spreadsheet to work out all combinations before coming across this page, which does it all for me AND throws away the irrelevant combinations.

Chains stretch over time and I would say that if it was visibly droopy it was time to replace it. Use 1/8" chain with bushes. I believe they would be the most durable. Otherwise a 1/8" Kool chain would do, and I don't think chains stretch that quickly.

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