[MDEnvEngr]

I've recently joined the 29er darkside (or is that seen the light?). I'm the fella that bought ArMtnbiker's black Sofa King. It is a sweet ride. I will post my impressions at a later date, when I can include some pictures of her in her new home.

Anyway, it came with the full 27 speed drivetrain. Being a single speeder fella, all those gears gave me the willies. But, I didn't want to go straight to the SS thing until I get a feel for the bike and what sort of gear I would like on it. So, I went to a 1X9 set up. I like the 1X9, and this bike could very well end up staying that way for the longer rides around here. Perhaps with some more beggin the SS Yo Eddy can be replaced by one of the GF Rigs.

Finally, my question: what do you guys do to keep the chain on the front ring? I took out a few links in the chain, and that helped a lot. I made up a ring out of lexan that bolts to the granny bosses, and that just about cures the problem. But, is there a more elegant solution in lieu of my home made deal?

Thanks for any tips.

Bob
East Hampton, CT

 

[dodjy]

An old front derailleur or an AC chain guide. Albeit the latter is a bit pricey. Other options might include a bash guard and home-made third hand (?)

dd..''

 

[Speedub.Nate]

I got away with no chain guide on my 1x9, using a medium cage derailleur (higher chain tension) and a Spot SS ring (no profiled teeth to assist chain drops).

If you do want a chain guide, like dodjy mentioned an old derailleur works well, a Jump Stop paired up with a bash ring (or old chainring) does the trick, or a Rohloff chainguide or something similar.

 

[dodjy]

I got away with no chain guide on my 1x9, using a medium cage derailleur (higher chain tension) and a Spot SS ring (no profiled teeth to assist chain drops).

I tried that too... but it was to no avail. Ended up going with a front derailluer... and then to ENO SS.

That Rohloff guard looks nice!

dd..''

 

[Speedub.Nate]

That Rohloff guard looks nice!

It's a little chunky and overpriced, but it does nicely.

I should have noted that in the year I ran 1x9, I dropped my chain only twice (both times while starting from a stop), and I was mainly doing fireroad bombing on that bike. Don't know how that factors in, but worth mentioning.

 

[~martini~]

I use an N-Gear Jumpstop on the indside and a Salsa Bashguard on the out side on my 1x8. The N-Gear is a simple peice of plastic that goes around the seat tube w/a stainless guide attached to it. Its cheap too. Like $8 or something.

 

[DeeEight]

I'm using a kooka bashring on a 1x8 bike with a shimano 600 (non-index) short cage derailleur with an 80s vintage NOS shimano deore friction shifter, 34T Onza Buzzsaw ring, 11-34 8speed Suntour Powerflo cassette, and haven't dropped the chain once.

 

[Speedub.Nate]

...and haven't dropped the chain once.

HUH... Go figure!?! Now THAT is a bad-assed bike!

 

[dodjy]

...haven't dropped the chain once.

I'll drop the chain for you, but only once. I know just the root section that will do it, like a religion.

dd..''