wow this was so helpful! been having some issues w my frankenstein single speed build as my chain has stretched and i'm really keen to try this. thanks legend!
That’s genius. No tensioner is such a bad as clean look. I’m building mine from the frame up so I can play with the gears to hit the inch’s I wantand make the bike clean looking. Thanks man ❤️☝️⚙️
So you have no more tensioner anymore and oh wow I didn't know that you could see clear through the other side with that type of drive system. How do you go from freewheel to cassette style wheels? Do you have any videos on that?
handy video to find thanks. I have used the fixmeup and it's not quite got me to the perfect situation but is ok. Fixmeup said I needed 101 links for my 44x20 gearing I have already. However this is a tiny bit too slack, but 100 links is too far the other way, you can see you are a millimetre away from being able to get the dropouts in with 100 links. However even with the 101 links and a little slacker than I am happy with I have found it impossible to force a chain drop. So I'll do some proper test rides and see. I think maybe 100 links and 44x19 or 44x18 will be a good sweet spot in the end. I am not keen to stay with 101 links and up the rear cog to 21 because the gear is already easy enough. What's really nice even as it is, is I ride off kerbs and through bad potholes and its all solid and silent, the little bit too much slackness is more aesthetic than anything else.
Thanks man, really interesting website! I was wondering why SS bikes often have their saddles angled up instead of flat like a road bike or XC? Maybe you can do a video about that? As always, I enjoy the channel!
They are tilted back on dirt jumpers and bmx bikes because the cockpit area is smaller. This allows your weight/hips to be more back and have more room, also provides more grips on jumps and stuff. If you try to have it horizontal and seat low on a dj bike it will feel really weird! Cheers man appreciate the kinds words!
Hey Gary! This video cleared up a lot for me but when you're turning it into a single speed do you keep the original chain? Or purchase a single speed specific chain? Also how do you figure out that perfect chain length? Cheers keep up the videos!
Cheers man, usually u can determine by what cog width and chain ring width you have. It will either be 1/8” or 3/32”, I’m running 3/32” which is a 6/7/8 speed chain. And for the perfect chain length for the magic ratio, you should be able to wrap it around the cog and chainring and cut it where it meets. Hope that helps! Cheers
I have tried using this calculator and I don’t understand the subtle variations, when changing the chain length, we can only modify by 1” or .5” increments, same with adding or removing cog teeth, so I don’t understand why the graph shows so many plot points that suggest such minimal changes is ideal chainstay lengths, can you help me understand?
@@garysprojects Yeah but that's why I'm saying that there's got to be a different one though because you're not using a derailer and I think that things an accident waiting to happen. What if it catches on something?
Built a gnarly lugged trek for a designated urban assault vehicle. Fortunately the chain ratio 2.4 or 2.something works out for my old knees. Was trying to go 3 to 1 but realized I did not want to spend 50$ plus for a different ratio.
Someone told me 42x16 but that's just by what I told them over the phone. They don't know what my chain stay was but the biggest chain ring in the front was actually 42 though.
Depends on on what cog and chain ring thickness you’re using! It is most probably going to be 3/32 if you’re using converting from a geared bike. Basically a standard 6/7/8 speed chain
@@Renan.1001 if you have the correct ratio it should be fine, also the chain will slightly stretch over time too. It could wear slightly more in the beginning but no different to having a single speed and pulling the wheel back on the dropouts
@@garysprojects make the most of this good weather Gary...Get lots of use with all those bikes my freind. ..Enjoy your fun in the sun...lifes a bike...🙌
What an awesome video, thank you. I just did this, measured many times, ordered some parts but for some reason there is a bit of a slack in my chain. Chain will still stay on and all, but anything one can do to fix a little slack? I’m running 11 speed dura ace chain. If I was to get some 8 or 9 speed chains, would that matter in any way? I’m open to suggestions. Thanks
Cheers mate ! Mmm I’m not sure , the 8 speed chain you will get less side to side slack but I think overall length is same measurement as the 11 speed if I recall correctly. If you have any spare cogs you could try going up a teeth and see if it fits. That’s all I can really think of, sorry !
@@garysprojects Ok, so I brought out a brand new Dura Ace chain, shortened it down to my 51 links 44/19 and it’s perfect, just like in your video. I must have grabbed a worn chain by accident and shortened that one hahah. Excellent, I’m loving the cleanliness of this simple setup, no tensioner. Thanks again for the awesome video.
![Single Speed 101 - How to convert your existing MTB bike and what gear to run [RNL HotTake]](/img/1.gif)
firssst🤙🏾
Hahahah cheers!
wow this was so helpful! been having some issues w my frankenstein single speed build as my chain has stretched and i'm really keen to try this. thanks legend!
No sweat cheers mate !
Thanks super helpful! I used it and found it best to take the wheel off to get a good measurement.
Nice that’s a good tip tip ! Thank you
Great info Gary, love the magic fingers 👌
Hahahaha cheers mate !
That’s genius. No tensioner is such a bad as clean look. I’m building mine from the frame up so I can play with the gears to hit the inch’s I wantand make the bike clean looking. Thanks man ❤️☝️⚙️
Hell ya dude once I went this way I never went back!!! Cheers ! 🍻
thanks to this video, i understand how to use the graph in the link ❤❤❤❤❤❤
@@heroziolkowskimendoza9800 im glad cheers mate !
Thanks mate this worked a treat
No worries glad it helped! 👍
Looks good Gary! 👌👌
Thanks Jack!
Awesome, thanks 🙏
No worries cheers
Valuable video thanks m8
No worries 👍
After 2 years, how did the chain tension go?
Need a new chain now I think haha !
Legenddd this is dope 🔥
Cheers homie!
So you have no more tensioner anymore and oh wow I didn't know that you could see clear through the other side with that type of drive system. How do you go from freewheel to cassette style wheels? Do you have any videos on that?
I don’t sorry!
handy video to find thanks. I have used the fixmeup and it's not quite got me to the perfect situation but is ok. Fixmeup said I needed 101 links for my 44x20 gearing I have already. However this is a tiny bit too slack, but 100 links is too far the other way, you can see you are a millimetre away from being able to get the dropouts in with 100 links. However even with the 101 links and a little slacker than I am happy with I have found it impossible to force a chain drop. So I'll do some proper test rides and see. I think maybe 100 links and 44x19 or 44x18 will be a good sweet spot in the end. I am not keen to stay with 101 links and up the rear cog to 21 because the gear is already easy enough. What's really nice even as it is, is I ride off kerbs and through bad potholes and its all solid and silent, the little bit too much slackness is more aesthetic than anything else.
thats cool! also not sure it you know or not but a half link might help too
Thanks man, really interesting website! I was wondering why SS bikes often have their saddles angled up instead of flat like a road bike or XC? Maybe you can do a video about that? As always, I enjoy the channel!
They are tilted back on dirt jumpers and bmx bikes because the cockpit area is smaller. This allows your weight/hips to be more back and have more room, also provides more grips on jumps and stuff. If you try to have it horizontal and seat low on a dj bike it will feel really weird! Cheers man appreciate the kinds words!
@@garysprojects Cheers - you solved a mystery for me!
Hey Gary! This video cleared up a lot for me but when you're turning it into a single speed do you keep the original chain? Or purchase a single speed specific chain? Also how do you figure out that perfect chain length? Cheers keep up the videos!
Cheers man, usually u can determine by what cog width and chain ring width you have. It will either be 1/8” or 3/32”, I’m running 3/32” which is a 6/7/8 speed chain. And for the perfect chain length for the magic ratio, you should be able to wrap it around the cog and chainring and cut it where it meets. Hope that helps! Cheers
Thanks
No worries
Great vid. Did you end up with slack when the chain stretched?
Yeah a little but not too bad ! Still running the same chain now
Cheers!
@@garysprojects good to know. thanks again!
@@chrissomers-oco8163 all good 😊 👍
How do you measure chain stay length? Centre to centre of rear axl and BB? Cheers bro love your vids
Cheers man ! Yep that’s it, exactly how u explained it!
I have tried using this calculator and I don’t understand the subtle variations, when changing the chain length, we can only modify by 1” or .5” increments, same with adding or removing cog teeth, so I don’t understand why the graph shows so many plot points that suggest such minimal changes is ideal chainstay lengths, can you help me understand?
It’s showing all the different gear ratios you can use , front chainring & back cog size combinations. You should pick one that falls on the line
You can't use it without the derailleur hanger? I wonder if the have like a blank one that you could put in there. How many bikes do you have?
Nah u need the derailleur hanger in there otherwise there will be a gap
@@garysprojects Yeah but that's why I'm saying that there's got to be a different one though because you're not using a derailer and I think that things an accident waiting to happen. What if it catches on something?
@@luigiprovencher no problems yet and it’s been a couple of years
@@garysprojects Okay. Cool.
@@luigiprovencher Although not a clean look, that rd hanger will make it a bit stronger
Hello Gary
What size chain I need ?
Built a gnarly lugged trek for a designated urban assault vehicle. Fortunately the chain ratio 2.4 or 2.something works out for my old knees. Was trying to go 3 to 1 but realized I did not want to spend 50$ plus for a different ratio.
Niceee glad it work out! Ya sometimes better to use what u have
Cheers.
✌️✌️
Can the chain stay be eye balled?
Nah it’s better to measure for this one
Hi Gary, looks like a really clean setup👍🏻😎
Cheers man I’m pretty happy with how it turned out too!
Someone told me 42x16 but that's just by what I told them over the phone. They don't know what my chain stay was but the biggest chain ring in the front was actually 42 though.
42 is good 👍
is single speed chain better? or 8speed chain?
Depends what you are using it for and what size your chainring & sprockets can handle , 8speed chain will be lighter
Hello Gary
What size chain will I need ?
Depends on on what cog and chain ring thickness you’re using! It is most probably going to be 3/32 if you’re using converting from a geared bike. Basically a standard 6/7/8 speed chain
I have a 12t rear cog, What is the best chainring to have a perfect chain tension?
Not sure homie
@@garysprojects Nah, it's alright
If you use a 40 × 16 ratio, can you use an 8-speed chain without a tensioner?🙏
mmm not sure you have to check with your own bike
Those saint cranks look awesome....dont ever sell them full colllector items lol
Hahah yea these are my fav version too, love the shape and graphic of this model!!
can i use anything inside the blue line?
Yep 👍
how many chain links did you use? I will use the same ratio as yours, 34x16
Not sure ay, I just wrapped the chain till it was tight !
I thought about that too, I'll do the same as you. helped me a lot thanks friend 🤝🏽👍🏽
another question, is there no danger of the chain getting too tight and ending up breaking, or the gears wearing out quickly?
@@Renan.1001 if you have the correct ratio it should be fine, also the chain will slightly stretch over time too. It could wear slightly more in the beginning but no different to having a single speed and pulling the wheel back on the dropouts
I understand, thanks friend, a hug🤗
I like it...👍
Thank u! 😊
@@garysprojects make the most of this good weather Gary...Get lots of use with all those bikes my freind. ..Enjoy your fun in the sun...lifes a bike...🙌
Cheers Steve! Same to you 😊
@@garysprojects im loving it...Holiday at home bike riding 😃
@@stevecrump1375 ayyy that’s the way!
👍
🤙
Watching this again thinking about my Kona Scab 🤓
Hahah yesssss do it!!
the link is not working'
dang you're right, if you find a new one post it up here - cheers
Damn it figures. I already took off everything.
😂😂
😍🙌
😃😃
What an awesome video, thank you. I just did this, measured many times, ordered some parts but for some reason there is a bit of a slack in my chain. Chain will still stay on and all, but anything one can do to fix a little slack? I’m running 11 speed dura ace chain. If I was to get some 8 or 9 speed chains, would that matter in any way? I’m open to suggestions. Thanks
Cheers mate ! Mmm I’m not sure , the 8 speed chain you will get less side to side slack but I think overall length is same measurement as the 11 speed if I recall correctly. If you have any spare cogs you could try going up a teeth and see if it fits. That’s all I can really think of, sorry !
@@garysprojects Ok, so I brought out a brand new Dura Ace chain, shortened it down to my 51 links 44/19 and it’s perfect, just like in your video. I must have grabbed a worn chain by accident and shortened that one hahah. Excellent, I’m loving the cleanliness of this simple setup, no tensioner. Thanks again for the awesome video.
@@hmudesign hell ya I’m glad it worked out !! Great to hear it ! Cheers mate ✌️
I like the 34 16 because you have a bit more top speed and can still climb. What did you think 🤔
Yeah same, I have a bit more top speed just if I need it for jumps , but still easier to cruise around town
Yeah I just recently moved, and where we live now there's no trails so it's all around town.
@@paultrevino81 ahhh true, yeah pretty good for flat
Which gear should be used for a 45cm chainstay, i’m wondering between 40/17 and 34/15. Thanks.
I’d go 40/17
@@garysprojects Thanks. I’ll try that.