[T_Hockenberry]

I should have bought the belt drive version...

I want to race in SS class this year and I am thinking about converting my 1x9 to a single speed and I have found a few options out there. I am wondering what is the best way to do this taking into account price, weight and easiness of conversion. Going to the belt drive probably isn't an option at this point, so I am thinking chain drive with tensioner. I have Paul components on my CX bike, so I am thinking maybe getting a Melvin. My bike has disk brakes, will this be a problem?

Any advise (even if it's get a new bike) is appreciated.
t

 

[wv_bob]

Yeah you'll need a tensioner or an EBB adapter like this http://forwardcomponents.blogspot.com/2008/12/eccentric-bottom-bracket-patent.html

Brakes won't be a problem.

If you can afford it, you'll be happier going SS with a SS frame though.

 

[T_Hockenberry]

Thanks Bob. If I could figure out how, I would bump this thread to single speed. I am kind of leaning towards getting a new bike, but I want make sure I run through all the options first.

thanks.

 

[Nater]

Or a White Industries Eccentric hub.

 

[Mike Brown]

Rennen Rollenlagers or similar designs from Misfit Psycles and others work and are cheap. The key is to get a tensioner that pushs the chain around the cog instead of pulling the chain away.
Over two years use on the wife's SS (a converted Jamis Dragon) with, literally, not one dropped chain.
I really recommend this option.

 

[rasse1977]

If you can afford it, you'll be happier going SS with a SS frame though.

Why...?

If I remember correctly the EBB from ForwardComponents can only be used with a 68 mm wide BB shell. I you've got a 73 mm shell maybe try the EBB from Trickstuff: http://www.trickstuff.de/index.php?p=d116en1

 

[wv_bob]

Why...?

Because then you won't have to mess with overpriced hubs & freewheels, or a tensioner.

Push-up tensioners work OK, I use one on the dingle. But IMO, for a nice bike, I'd rather leave it geared than cobble it up just to run it as a single-speed - which is why my WTB still has gears.

 

[GT554]

I crashed my Longboard 9 and really boogered up the drop out. I didn't think it would ever work correctly with gears by bending it back so i bought a Origin8 conversion on ebay for $32.00 & a chain from my LBS. I think the whole conversion cost me about $55. I know they are not the best parts but I really just wanted to see if I'd like riding a SS.

 

[GT554]