[Beatniqwood09]

This is on my friends 2003 raleigh m40. He asked me to make it singlespeed with as little money as possible. So far all iv'e put on is a half link and a 1/8 single speed chain i had lyin around.
I have a few questions:
1) Is it ok to seat the wheel just barely in the dropout? I feel like if i tighten it real good it wont go anywhere. But its not really somthing I look foward to testing.
2) Since I am using the original chainring and cogs, witch i would assume are ramped for shifting, does it make since to use the wider chain or should I shorten up the 9 speed chain and put it on.

Heres some pics of the dropouts

 

[kvojr]

I wouldn't leave it like that, looks like your chain is too short.

 

[dubthang]

Fully seat that axle in the dropouts. There isn't enough material to fully support the wheel with how you have it setup. Run a tensioner if needed.

 

[FastFix]

I would be hesitant about the drop out placement. It may be ok but a cheap alternative would be to file the axle down a few mm's the width of the the drop out. This would enable the axle to slide further into the drop out so it wouldn't be an issue.

As for the chain, you should be ok with the original. It really depends on how much torque is being applied. Is your buddy big? Does he do big climbs? Your cogs are ramped. I can see it in the pic, just make sure your chainline is as straight as possible. If it's just a SS and not fixed you'll prob be ok.

 

[wjphillips]

Nope. This is not okay. I hope your buddy has good health insurance.

 

[Sparticus]

Dropouts = don't do it.

9-spd chain = okay.

--sParty

 

[aka brad]

I would be hesitant about the drop out placement. It may be ok but a cheap alternative would be to file the axle down a few mm's the width of the the drop out. This would enable the axle to slide further into the drop out so it wouldn't be an issue.

As for the chain, you should be ok with the original. It really depends on how much torque is being applied. Is your buddy big? Does he do big climbs? Your cogs are ramped. I can see it in the pic, just make sure your chainline is as straight as possible. If it's just a SS and not fixed you'll prob be ok.

+1 grinding an axle is a common modification to make the chain fit. However, I would not just be hesitant about not seating the axle in the dropout; I would not even consider such a dangerous idea. Another idea is to use a worn chain that has lengthened out a bit (from your photo it doesn't look like you'd need much stretch (I know chains don't stretch) so the old 9 speed chain might just fit.

 

[paco664]

take and file down the axle .... you are close to a fit... DO NOT RIDE IT AS IT IS OR IT WILL HURT YOU......

you can also LIGHTLY remove a bit of material from the front of the drop out area... no more than ~1/8th or so.... i did this on a access xcl 29er frame and i bought a half link chain.... i now can run pretty much any gearing i want with no issues on adjustment.... i did however have a bit of problem with using QR skewers in the rear... i ended up with a "theft proof" skewer that uses a special tool to loosed and tighten and i can crank the living ***** out of it....... this method held up well under my 230# abusing it.... and now my wife rides this bike..... *(my wife rides SS....!!!!!! whatta girl)

 

[Beatniqwood09]

By filing down the axle you mean take the spot on the axle where the dropouts touch and make it flat (not circular) on one side?

 

[aka brad]

By filing down the axle you mean take the spot on the axle where the dropouts touch and make it flat (not circular) on one side?

Yes, but make sure you do it on both ends, so it won't cant your wheel. Below is a similar modification done on a hollow axle.

 

[Beatniqwood09]

Yes, but make sure you do it on both ends, so it won't cant your wheel. Below is a similar modification done on a hollow axle.

Do you run a quick release on that setup?

 

[atom29]

Wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole.

 

[dubtrialsin]

Ghetto.
Buy a surly Max cost $40.

 

[Stevob]

Decreasing the tooth count on the rear cog by one will increase your chainlength by about 3mm. That might be enough to do it without filing the axle.

 

[dubtrialsin]

And again
2:1gearing/ surly

 

[jmmUT]

You could always make a tensioner out of any old derailleur and a 83 cent trip to the hardware store-there are threads about doing it.

 

[paco664]

Wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole.

which one???

 

[atom29]

Any of them. Sometimes frames meant for derailleurs are best left with them on. I like riding ss as much as anybody, but the beauty of simplicity only comes when your equipment works easily and works well.

 

[FastFix]

By filing down the axle you mean take the spot on the axle where the dropouts touch and make it flat (not circular) on one side?

Yes. You only need to file the width of the drop out. It will slide right in and seat proerly. Looks like you will only need to file a feww mm's. Do it on both sides equally so that your wheel sits straight.

 

[aka brad]

Do you run a quick release on that setup?

This is not my setup, but yes they ran a QR.