[traffic002]

Hi All,

I'm a newb bike builder emarking on first bike build. I'm a very good rider that's pretty fit but have bought off-the-shelf bikes.

This is my first attempt and putting together my own bike.

I'd like to run a 1x9 drivetrain. So I only need a single ring.

I was looking at the Truvativ Stylo 1.1 or the Race Face Ride single ring? Are these pretty good? Do I need some sort of chain guide as well?

I weigh 165#. 5'-7". And ride aggressive XC single track.

The frame is a Dialled Bike Prince Albert (AM steel hardtail). I picked up a used Fox Vanilla 125mm RL.

So I need to find a good headset and crankset (seatpost and clamp) to get my build off the ground. I am contemplating going to the LBS and have them take a look at the head tube and BB area to see if they need facing. I'm not opposed to buying those particular parts through the LBS so I don't have issues with failures down the road in that area.

Thanks in advance for your help.

--Paul

 

[Germany_chris]

Why not convert and save some money? Take a look and Surly Mr. Whirley..

 

[boomn]

Grab a closeout LX from JensonUSA for $99 here. The Shimano design is much better than either the Stylo or Race Face you listed, and $99 makes it a steal. Throw out the extra rings or, even better, sell them for $20 on craigslist. The ramped middle ring will work just fine if you have a chain guide of some sort, and you can upgrade to a non-ramped ring when it eventually wears out.

You will definitely want some sort of chainguide. A bashguard and an N-Gear Jump Stop is a good, cheap choice but in my personal experience the N-Gear is not guaranteed to work all the time. The Paul Chain Keeper looks like the best seat post mounted guide out there right now (no bash guard required) and the MRP 1.X looks like the best BB mounted option (no bash guard required either). Both are pretty new but getting great reviews

 

[bgtowson]

I recently bought a Surly Mr. Whirley singlespeed. Got the 180mm for added torque needed without a granny-gear.

Opted for a Salsa non-ramped/pinned 9-speed ring.

Couldn't be happier.

 

[traffic002]

So I have a '96 Stumpjumper that I had thoughts of pulling the drivetrain from.

It's an 8sp system with square tapered cranks. Need new front ring. And it's the original chain.

So if I just get a new 32t ring + bash + N-gear jumpstop and a new chain, would that do me? Would it be worth picking up the newer LX crankset? Is the step up to new style crank and ext BB worth it?

 

[boomn]

So I have a '96 Stumpjumper that I had thoughts of pulling the drivetrain from.

It's an 8sp system with square tapered cranks. Need new front ring. And it's the original chain.

So if I just get a new 32t ring + bash + N-gear jumpstop and a new chain, would that do me? Would it be worth picking up the newer LX crankset? Is the step up to new style crank and ext BB worth it?

I would definitely invest in a new crankset of some sort for a nice frame like that.

Most anything new is going to be a good step up in stiffness from the old cranks. Also the chainline of those old cranks might be narrow enough that it causes chain rub on wider tires that might want to run in the back of a long travel hardtail. Otherwise reusing old drivetrain parts is not a bad idea, I just think this would be reaching back too far in time

 

[Yogii]

Shimano all the way.........

 

[kapusta]

So I have a '96 Stumpjumper that I had thoughts of pulling the drivetrain from.

It's an 8sp system with square tapered cranks. Need new front ring. And it's the original chain.

So if I just get a new 32t ring + bash + N-gear jumpstop and a new chain, would that do me? Would it be worth picking up the newer LX crankset? Is the step up to new style crank and ext BB worth it?

The old crankset should work fine with a new ring, but being 10 years old, the bb may be near the end of it's useful life, and may not fit the new frame (check the shell width). Before I dropped the $ on a new bb and ring, I'd seriously think about just getting the LX for $99 if that deal is for real. OTOH, if the bb you have is still OK and fits the new frame, you can get a ring for $20-25, and that could get you going for a lot less than the LX crankset if money is an issue.

It's funny because I just ran into a situation like this myself. I have an old square taper crank that I was using for a 1x9 setup. The bb went bad and I was looking at a Stylo for $125 to replace it but decided to just replace the bb instead ($25). Almost immediately after i realized the ring I was using was f-ed up, and I kicked myself HARD for not just getting new Stylo to start with.

So, yeah, I'd get the new LX for $99 rather than spending $50-60 on a bb and ring for the square taper.

FWIW, I've used a bash and Ngear Jumpstop for single ring use for the last year and have never once lost a chain, but this is on a bike that is either rigid or an 80mm HT and I don't go very big on it (as in drops and jumps). However, I do ride some very rocky and rooty trails.

 

[traffic002]

Sounds like with the new LX crankset for $100, I get a new ring that I can still use, replace the large ring with bash and then remove the granny and I'm good to go with a nicer setup.

I don't have cash spewing out of my ears. But I've got a couple hundred that I've budgetted for gear. I was hoping to run new 9sp cassette with x-9 RD and X-9 twist shift. But if the crankset is a better investment, then I can just run the rear of my Stumpy.

Would the newer 9sp crankset still be compatible with a chain that runs on an 8sp cassette?

 

[bgtowson]

Get the LX. Great upgrade. You"ll appreciate the stiffer bottom bracket with the steel frame.

If your Stumpy's shifters and derailleurs are in good shape, stick with the 8 speed. You can get a SRAM 850 cassette and 8 speed chain, a new derailleur cable, your crankset, and a Surly 8 speed/singlespeed ring for under $200.

Nice.

 

[traffic002]

Get the LX. Great upgrade. You"ll appreciate the stiffer bottom bracket with the steel frame.

If your Stumpy's shifters and derailleurs are in good shape, stick with the 8 speed. You can get a SRAM 850 cassette and 8 speed chain, a new derailleur cable, your crankset, and a Surly 8 speed/singlespeed ring for under $200.

Nice.

So how much difference will I really feel on my '96 LX crankset and the newer one that's listed on JensonUSA?

I'm 165# and a fit rider. I do ride aggressive XC stuff.

I think I will spring for a new derailluer and shifter (X-9 short cage). But either I'll cannabolize the Rush for its FSA v-drive cranks (outboard bb) or the Stumpy with square taper cranks.

I think if I can just run the Stumpy's square taper, then I can leave more of the Rush components in tact and also save a couple $$ to apply towards brakes and nick-nack stuff.

 

[scottzg]

how about that, you already have v-drive cranks.

I was in your situation and got some v-drive SS cranks. They have a non-crappo arm interface, unlike the RF and truvativ offerings, and come with a SS ring and bash. Mine have held up very well under me, which is unusual, and they're cheap.

The lx option is very good too though. Maybe better.

I would just get a chain guide. No fuss and no chain drops, ever. Definitely better than a jumpstop.

 

[traffic002]

Ok, maybe that's the way to go.

Just swap my V-drives and then add a chainguide of some sort. I prefer not running a bash guard if at all possible.