Is it possible to run 2 x 1?

I can be done , you will need a tensioner or have to shorten chain when you change chainrings .

It would be easier (if you have a cassette-style hub) to run two rear cogs and one ring. If you put a 34t up front, a 16t / 20t rear would give you basically the same gear range you are looking at, and the tensioner would have to take up much less slack. Of course, you might have to move it laterally a bit to run smooth as you change the position. Nothing a turn of a screwdriver on an old derailleur stop screw wouldn't handle!
EDIT: Gear range is not the right wording - "percent jump" might be better... Of course, those might be good gears for you on a 29" SS anyway..

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to try the 2 chainring setup first since I don't have any single chainring bolts at the moment. If that setup doesn't work too well, I'll fork out the $10 for single bolts and try the two rear cogs instead.

you could get an old two speed kick back hub ...

An 8 tooth difference means you have a lot of chain for a tensioner (or fixed derailer) to take up.

Many do great with 2x2, or dinglespeed. Something like 34/18 and 36/16, where the number of teeth remains the same. That way there's little difference in the chain length you need.

laotsu42 said:

you could get an old two speed kick back hub ...

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If you can find one

what about a paul melvin tensioner? i believe that it is designed to run 2x1.

ia_ss157 said:

what about a paul melvin tensioner? i believe that it is designed to run 2x1.

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and can do 22t

nuck_chorris said:

If you can find one

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land of enchantment has tons of vintage bikes ...i have owned two myself but there are a few to be had in alb ...:thumbsup:

Get a casette hub and run a dinglespeed. Run maybe a 32/16 (2:1) for offroad and a 36/12 (3:1) for onroad and you'd have the same chainlength, you'd just have to stop and move the chain from the inner ring/cog to the outer ring/cog.

I'd suggest trying to find a bike co-op in your town or make friends with a guy at your LBS so you can get 2 rear cogs, casette spacers, and a lockring on the cheap. Or be able to borrow a couple of different rings and cogs until you find the two gears that you like.

GTscoob said:

36/12 (3:1) for onroad

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A 12 tooth cog is pretty small. I suspect it is small enough that it is less efficient and wears out faster than a bigger cog.

Notice that the number of teeth is not the only thing that affects chain length. The angle of the chain from chainring to cog makes a difference too. Sometimes that difference is enough to affect your setup.

I did initially set up my SS 29er as dinglespeed. It was 33/19 + 36/16 and worked great. I think this kind of 2x2 setup is far superior to 2x1 or 1x2 setup because you don't need a stinking tensioner. Of course the downside is that you have to stop, loosen the rear wheel and get your hands dirty.

kide said:

I did initially set up my SS 29er as dinglespeed. It was 33/19 + 36/16 and worked great. I think this kind of 2x2 setup is far superior to 2x1 or 1x2 setup because you don't need a stinking tensioner. Of course the downside is that you have to stop, loosen the rear wheel and get your hands dirty.

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yeah but it takes like 2 second and you can do it with your thumb and index finger..when im done i just wipe the grease on the chainstay LOL

dustintendo said:

it takes like 2 second

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I saw kide do the switch, and it took more than 2 seconds. Not much more, though, and definitely not long enough to matter when we were getting the group together for the trails :thumbsup:

haha 2 seconds was an exaggeration, i havent timed myself but im sure i could do it in under a minute if i was in a hurry

I'm sure you can do it in half a minute. Might take two if you hurry.