I have a single speed/commuter bike that has vertical that I use with an old XT rear derailluer to tension the chain. My question is, is there any reason to get a single speed chain tensioning device(ie surly singulator) over my old derailluer? Thanks
single speed
- Thread starter novice
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Nope. Your derailleur will work just fine. The singleator is a little lighter, and looks cleaner, and gives you the option to push the chain up instead of down, but it's more of a want than a need. If you want to spend extra cash, I say go for it.
R
RideMonkey
Guest
Not for a commuter. The tensioning devices are lighter and lower profile, but that doesnt matter on a commuter.
You may be able to get rid of the tensioner altogether. Check the "Fix Me Up" website (http://www.peak.org/~fixin/) for the magical calculations which tell you what gear combo you can run without a tensioner. Since the bike is a commuter, gearing tends to be a bit more flexible.
Also, check the link below for some tips on running a single speed with vertical drops and no tensioner.
http://www.singlespeed.cc/drop_mod.htm
Also, check the link below for some tips on running a single speed with vertical drops and no tensioner.
http://www.singlespeed.cc/drop_mod.htm
I should have mentioned this earlier, but about 30% of the miles on the bike are from trail riding. I use this bike on the trails for training, and to try really technical terrain. This is because I don't want to destroy race bike because I wanted to take the more difficult line. Knowing this does that change anything. I would like to be able to use no chain tensioner, but because of the dual usage of this bike I change the rear cog quite often. I will switch from a 13 for commuting to a 16 or 18 for trail riding/going to the local technical park.
you may just want to stick with a Der. Even a singlator may have trouble taking up the slack when changing gears that far apart. I have a Klein Adroit that I race as a SS, I run a 36x17 with no chain tensioner, I also used the same bike to do some road miles this summer, and a 42x16 fits perfact with out a tensioner as well. For me these are perfact gears for road and offroad, you could do the same without a tensioner if you had two chains of the correct length setup with quick release connectors for the different gear combos.