REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

single rear, 3 in front?

1112 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by BikeMojo, Dec 24, 2009

luvanicejump

Discussion Starter · Dec 21, 2009

Anyone ever tried running just the front 3 speed derailer (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer.html)
with a chain tensioner and single cog in back?
Are those chain tensioners able to pick up enough slack for this?
Looking for options.
Converting my 26" GT Backwoods to a single speed and the
though crossed my mind about keeping the front derailer.
I know this would disqualify it as a single speed...(insert wise comment here).

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1 - 14 of 14 Posts

AlliKat

· #2 · Dec 21, 2009

the typical single wheel tensioner can't handle a triple. Even a double is questionable.

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Sparticus

· #3 · Dec 21, 2009

Personally I despise front derailleurs. (Sorry Sheldon {RIP} but that's how I choose to spell it.) They don't shift as well as rear derailleurs, require a longer chain, encourage chain suck and still require a rear derailleur style tensioner due to chain take-up.

Might as well use a rear derailleur.

If I wanted a multi-speed bicycle, but only wanted gears at one end of the chain instead of both, it'd be at the back end. And that's exactly the way it is on several of my bikes... all the ones that aren't singlespeeds.

--Sparty

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Natedogz

· #4 · Dec 21, 2009

Sparticus said:
Personally I despise front derailleurs. (Sorry Sheldon {RIP} but that's how I choose to spell it.) They don't shift as well as rear derailleurs, require a longer chain, encourage chain suck and still require a rear derailleur style tensioner due to chain take-up.

Might as well use a rear derailleur.

If I wanted a multi-speed bicycle, but only wanted gears at one end of the chain instead of both, it'd be at the back end. And that's exactly the way it is on several of my bikes... all the ones that aren't singlespeeds.

--Sparty

Exactly.

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luvanicejump

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 21, 2009

yeah, it was a fleeting thought.
This is going to be a winter, studded tire bike.
I'll stick with old faithful single speed. I'll just gear it down a little.
I'm also looking at the White Industries ENO rear hub.
Anyone tried these out yet?

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mattKHS

· #6 · Dec 21, 2009

i think a read 6speed cassette would do the trick. or even a custom 3 or 4.

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umarth

· #7 · Dec 21, 2009

You could also try getting a Paul's Component or Alfine tensioner. Those both have 16t wrap. I also have a strong dislike for derailers (Sorry Sparty), so you can at least shift down with your foot.

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FoShizzle

· #8 · Dec 21, 2009

i personally wouldnt. I think the cleanest pseudo singlespeed is using the Hammerschmidt as it retains the single speed look yet allows the girl gear for climbing breaks from standing. Frame specs are the issue with the Hammer though

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fishcreek

· #9 · Dec 22, 2009

the cleanest geared conversion to me would be a forward components bb with rohloff igh.

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luvanicejump

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 22, 2009

I have an older model MTB and the bottom bracket is a 73mm.
The forward components bb will not work.

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Velobike

· #11 · Dec 22, 2009

Why not dingle speed it?

You'd have to stop to change gear by hand, but it allows you a transport gear for road sections and your normal gear for mountainbiking.

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bmike

· #12 · Dec 22, 2009

luvanicejump said:
Anyone ever tried running just the front 3 speed derailer (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer.html)
with a chain tensioner and single cog in back?
Are those chain tensioners able to pick up enough slack for this?
Looking for options.
Converting my 26" GT Backwoods to a single speed and the
though crossed my mind about keeping the front derailer.
I know this would disqualify it as a single speed...(insert wise comment here).

check this thread. thinking of doing the same to mine, until i decide to splurge on a dos eno dinglespeed setup.

See less See more

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bmike

· #13 · Dec 22, 2009

luvanicejump said:
yeah, it was a fleeting thought.
This is going to be a winter, studded tire bike.
I'll stick with old faithful single speed. I'll just gear it down a little.
I'm also looking at the White Industries ENO rear hub.
Anyone tried these out yet?

i'm a fan of flipping the wheel and riding fixed on the ice and snow...

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BikeMojo

· #14 · Dec 24, 2009

luvanicejump said:
yeah, it was a fleeting thought.

Not so fleeting.

I had one built up for my sister-in-law from the spare parts bin. Used a triple, front der, and an old road rear der.

Makes for a great, simple townie bike. 22/32/42x16

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