[jscusmcvet]

I am cosidering a conversion of my Summer Season. I switched from a full suss bike last christmas and feel like I have adjusted well back to hardtail. I am currently running a 2x9 set up and thought I might leave the front cranks and derailler in place, giving me a 2x1 set up. Climbing is my weakness (hell the bike weighs 32 pounds...) and having the two gears would give me a stand and pound option and a sit and spin option... in theory.

This is the conversion kit I am looking at, also from On one.

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/SKOOSSKK/on-one-singlespeed-converter-kit-with-16t-sprocket

Will I need a chain tensioner or anything else?

Thanks,

John

 

[Sparticus]

Open to suggestion? A 16t cog is pretty small. And front shifting sucks compared to rear shifting. If you want more than one gear, I recommend you go to one ring on the front, ditch the front mech, shifter & cable and make a 1x9 out of it.

If you go with your original plan (2x1), you'll have to leave your rear mech on the bike anyway (to take up chain slack whenever you shift on the front) so if you go 1x9 instead, the rear mech is not going to cost you anything in terms of weight that you weren't already willing to pay.

With rear-only shifting, you'll have a better range plus better shifting. Put a guard ring on the outside of your crank's spider and a Jump Stop (google it) on the inside to keep the chain from clattering off on rugged descents.

You said climbing is not your forte so go with a 28t-ish ring. If the smallest ring your bike will take is 32t, that might work anyway so long as your biggest cog is in the 34t range and you don't have huge steeps to climb. Or you could go with a Widget (check this thread: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=636149 ) to get a 28t ring -- very cool but not cheap.

Best of luck.

--Sparty

 

[Tim Mailloux]

I tried to go 2x1 with my Summer Season using a similar kit and couldn't make it work. The tensioner didn't have enough range to account for the chain length needed. I have been thinking about giving it another try using a small cage rear der as the tensioner.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks guys. Exactly why I posted it here. Clearly there are things I don't understand yet, but with your help I am learning. Just spent a bit of time straightening out the rear derailler hanger... log ride yesterday got the best of me, I just did not realize I bent the hanger. Straightened out fine and we are back up to full speed.

Upon learning this further information, I will either go 1x9 or leave it as is. Looks like maybe a specific single speed purchase might be in order...

Thanks again,

John

 

[zaskaranddriver]

Order up a new hanger now, having been bent a couple times your current one's days are numbered.

 

[qdawgg]

Are you saying that your summer season weighs 32 pounds? Looking at the Inbred and I think the frames have similar weights - so just wondering if the Inbred is going to weigh more than I want all built up. I was looking at the Inbred complete versions at unreal - maybe I'll just call them and ask what they weigh.

 

[Sparticus]

Are you saying that your summer season weighs 32 pounds? Looking at the Inbred and I think the frames have similar weights - so just wondering if the Inbred is going to weigh more than I want all built up. I was looking at the Inbred complete versions at unreal - maybe I'll just call them and ask what they weigh.

FWIW I have an XL Inbred with average to heavy parts and it weighs 26.5#. I'm 6'3", 195# and run 195mm cranks {quite heavy} plus a suspension fork.

--Sparty

 

[qdawgg]

FWIW I have an XL Inbred with average to heavy parts and it weighs 26.5#. I'm 6'3", 195# and run 195mm cranks {quite heavy} plus a suspension fork.

--Sparty

--> Thanks for the info. I am only 5'6" so I would be buying a smaller bike but likely fitting it with heav(ier) to average parts as well. The 26.5 sounds about right to what I was thinking it should be. I'm not a weight weenie but I also didn't want to buy a hardtail that finishes heavier than my Superlight - that would be pointless.

 

[Mr.P]

The Summer Season is not the Inbred. The Inbred & 456 use butted tubing, the Summer Season does not. Inbred / 456 frame is 5.5 pounds, Summer Season ? pounds.

Use a chain half link to shorten the chain if it is too long, then add tensioner.

The newer Summer Season have ISCG mounts and you might be able to use a BlackSpire Stinger as a tensioner.

I would like to hear your thoughts after conversion.

I'm considering an Mmmbop for SS

P