[mike67]

I want to give SS a go on my imperial. Never had a SS before, so help me out.
What chain ring and cog combo are you guys running?
What drop-out position 15.5, 16.25, or 17?
Anyone using a chain tensioner, or is there a good set-up that leaves the chain just right?
I found on jensonusa.com the Gusset SS converter for 9 speed hubs, it comes with spacers, and two cogs (16t & 18t). Is this something worth trying, or can you recommend another?
I have 34, 36, and 38t chain rings....do I need somethin smaller like a 32 or something?
If it matters (for chain line), I'll be using a 113mm bb w/ hussefelts and e13 bash plate.

Thanks for any help

 

[LeeOz]

if you wanna ride street mainly, you wanna try the shortest dropout. Easier to wheelie and manual like that. Easier to pick up for drops.
You also have to know what kinda ration front ring/rear cog you wanna have. I think the most common ratio is 2:1.
Gusset SS is ok... if u want a smaller cog, you can maybe buy one on Danscomp and get some cassette spacers.

 

[ssaddict]

First figure which dropout you want to use, then you can workout your gearing. There are alot of different combos and ways to run SS.

Personally I was running a 34x17 with a SRS guide.

 

[mike67]

First figure which dropout you want to use, then you can workout your gearing. There are alot of different combos and ways to run SS.

Personally I was running a 34x17 with a SRS guide.

I've been using the 16.25 and really like the feel of the ride. I'll try it in the 15.5 as well. Guess I'll learn as I go. Thanks

 

[mandown]

call the guys at Webcyclery.com, they know much about about singlespeed stuff.

get a chris king cog for the rear gear, others are likely to chew up your freehub body. the kings are pricey, but worth it.

 

[Toshi]

36x18 at the 16.25 dropout position works without a tensioner

 

[ssaddict]

The middle drop seems to fit the most combos (that's what I was using), but honeslty it really depends on what kind of rings and cogs your using for you setup. There are tiny differences in the OD dia. when you switch between different manufactures or use brand new or very worn chains. All these factors can present tension problems, so it can tend to take some trial and error to get it right.

But if your already into SS'ing you probably have a variety of cogs and chainrings laying around to try out.

 

[HippieKai]

i have a surley chain tensioner and i run a 34 in front and depending on what i want to ride anything from a 14 to a 19 in the back and i don't have to mess with the chain length at all. That bike is the funnest thing i have ever owned!

 

[mike67]

36x18 at the 16.25 dropout position works without a tensioner

Thanks Toshi, I figured I'd try this set up first. I already have a 36t ring and the kit comes with an 18 cog.

 

[dropkick]

The gusset kit works pretty well but you can't really adjust your chainline with it that much. I got kind of lucky because it lines up everything perfectly on my setup.

You can use this to figure out a gear ratio so you won't need a tensioner.

 

[mike67]

The middle drop seems to fit the most combos (that's what I was using), but honeslty it really depends on what kind of rings and cogs your using for you setup. There are tiny differences in the OD dia. when you switch between different manufactures or use brand new or very worn chains. All these factors can present tension problems, so it can tend to take some trial and error to get it right.

But if your already into SS'ing you probably have a variety of cogs and chainrings laying around to try out.

Yeah...I've read some stuff about lower quality cogs chewing up non SS cassette bodies (9 speed w/ conversion). I'll be using a brand new Blackspire 36t DH ring, new chain with the conversion kit. Hmmm if I like it, I've always wanted an excuse to chek out that CK ss hub

 

[mike67]

That bike is the funnest thing i have ever owned! [/QUOTE]

Got that right

After a year of riding mine, it still comes to mind every ride "damn this bike rides sweet"

 

[fr-rider]

I want to give SS a go on my imperial. Never had a SS before, so help me out.
What chain ring and cog combo are you guys running?
What drop-out position 15.5, 16.25, or 17?
Anyone using a chain tensioner, or is there a good set-up that leaves the chain just right?
I found on jensonusa.com the Gusset SS converter for 9 speed hubs, it comes with spacers, and two cogs (16t & 18t). Is this something worth trying, or can you recommend another?
I have 34, 36, and 38t chain rings....do I need somethin smaller like a 32 or something?
If it matters (for chain line), I'll be using a 113mm bb w/ hussefelts and e13 bash plate.

Thanks for any help

I have the SS converter and I also bought the Surly Singleator (chain tensioner)...you'll also have to buy a diffrent width chain if you're currently using a 9 speed chain. Pricepoint has the chain tensioner for $39. Have fun with your new set up.

 

[mike67]

I have the SS converter and I also bought the Surly Singleator (chain tensioner)...you'll also have to buy a diffrent width chain if you're currently using a 9 speed chain. Pricepoint has the chain tensioner for $39. Have fun with your new set up.

What chain do you recommend?

Thanks

 

[animal 52]

Ok, i'll apologize ahead of time for the lack of photos, but I don't own a camera. The setup that I've been running now is simple to do and works as well as any tensioner that you can buy from a shop. Take an old derailleur and a short peice of shifter cable. Use the cable stop on the cable to tension the derailleur against itself (line it up for the best chainline). Shorten your chain by about six links or so to tighten everything up, then use spacers to take up room on the cassette freehub body. The cool thing is that this is free so long as you have an old derailleur laying around, and you can leave your 22t and 32t rings up front for a do-it-all 2 speed setup with the simplicity of a SS rig.

 

[ssaddict]

I have the SS converter and I also bought the Surly Singleator (chain tensioner)...you'll also have to buy a diffrent width chain if you're currently using a 9 speed chain. Pricepoint has the chain tensioner for $39. Have fun with your new set up.

9sp chains work just fine with the Singleator?

Unless you break chains on your SS very often, I've found 9sp Sram chains to work just fine. If you need extra strength, try one of Rolhoff's SS chain which isn't made to flex side to side for shifting.

 

[-dustin]

argh.....SS'ed Imperial. i don't think i'm gonna bother with that again. i'm putting all my eggs in one basket, and am hoping....praying...the drop-outs on the DOC will be sliding, or horizontal.

 

[ssaddict]

argh.....SS'ed Imperial. i don't think i'm gonna bother with that again. i'm putting all my eggs in one basket, and am hoping....praying...the drop-outs on the DOC will be sliding, or horizontal.

I believe Chris prefers a SS 24 setup.

 

[-dustin]

me, too.....which is why the SS Imperial was giving me hell. couldn't get a gear ratio i wanted.

 

[ssaddict]

Yeah, but its worth the effort, nothing is more enjoyable than rocking shuttle runs with a SS setup and hearing.... nothing! I loved switching back and forth between my DH bike and my Imp and finding new lines, the Imp sorta forces you to find the smooth fast line.

Don't worry about the DOC.

 

[Rik]

36x18 at the 16.25 dropout position works without a tensioner

Until your chain wears a bit.

 

[fr-rider]

What chain do you recommend?

Thanks

You can only use the 1/8" or 3/32" chain with the SS converter. It really dosen't matter which chain is used...just as long as it's a size listed.