Single Speed plus Granny - will it work?

[ChrisEyles]

I had a look, and seems like most dingle sprockets are for fixed gear track hubs.

Extra wide SS sprockets also seem to only be available up to 21t or 22t, which makes perfect sense for a SS running off a ~32t chain ring, but isn't ideal for what I'm planning.

I guess I could do something similar using a 32/18 gear on the middle ring and a 24/26 gear on the granny ring, and ditch the 42 chain ring... but still wouldn't be able to get a 26t SS sprocket for the granny gear where it matters most, and I'm thinking the higher tooth count I was originally planning on is probably going to wear better and be less likely to skip under pressure too (plus let's face it, being in the "big ring" on a MTB always looks cool )

A shame as a 23t,34t dingle sprocket would be the perfect solution.... I would just probably be the only customer for it.

I wonder if it would be possible to use the pins that hold the cassette sprockets together to link the 23t and 34t sprockets... probably the length and position of the threads will be wrong but might be worth a go.

I think if the cassette body turns out to be steel on my hub I'm just going to give it a go with the 23t and 34t cassette sprockets.

 

[ChrisEyles]

One last question - the 11t smallest sprocket on all the cassettes I've installed is always knurled, I assume to give the lock ring something to grip on to. Would I need to put the 11t sprocket next to the lock ring (even though it would never get used... not that it does much anyway!) or is it OK to put one of the plastic spacers at the end next to the lock ring?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Keep the triple on the front, put a single speed sprocket on the back, keep the rear changer and use it for chain tension.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Keep the triple on the front, put a single speed sprocket on the back, keep the rear changer and use it for chain tension.

I'd thought about doing that. A 23t sprocket would give me 42/23 as a regular gear, 24/23 as a granny and 32/23 as an in-between gear (though from paying attention to the gears I mostly ride in I doubt I'd use that one much). My concern was that the chain line will only be just right in one of the gears - either the gear I'd be using 90% of the time, or the gear I'm applying the most force through for hill climbs. And from the granny chain ring to the big ring is quite a distance. Combined with bumpy trails and ramped/pinned shifty chain rings and sprockets it didn't seem like a good idea.

 

[ChrisEyles]

I've clearly been (over)thinking about this too much.

 

[Milkfloat]

Keep the triple on the front, put a single speed sprocket on the back, keep the rear changer and use it for chain tension.

This is what I was about to write. It is still nonsense, but it is the closest solution so far.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

This is what I was about to write. It is still nonsense, but it is the closest solution so far.

I'd just convert it to fixed.

 

[ChrisEyles]

If I convert it to fixed will you have a go on it down one of my local descents?

 

[Milkfloat]

I'd just convert it to fixed.

I’d just keep it it’s gears. I am not brave enough to used fixed properly off-road.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

If I convert it to fixed will you have a go on it down one of my local descents?

I'm too far away but if I was closer, yes.

 

[ChrisEyles]

This is what I was about to write. It is still nonsense, but it is the closest solution so far.

SS MTBing is clearly a nonsensical idea. I don't know why I feel the urge to give it a go so strongly!

 

[ChrisEyles]

I'm too far away but if I was closer, yes.

Nice! Guess you won't need the brakes either if it's running fixed?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Nice! Guess you won't need the brakes either if it's running fixed?

No, I'd keep the brakes, I like to have brakes on my fixed.

 

[Milkfloat]

SS MTBing is clearly a nonsensical idea. I don't know why I feel the urge to give it a go so strongly!

SS is fine, messing around trying to get two gears seems a bit crazy. A super wide ratio cassette and one chain ring would be far more useable if you want to simplify.

 

[ChrisEyles]

@dave r yep, I ran both brakes on my fixed and wouldn't have been without them. Fixed MTB on a steep downhill trail is still crazy though, with or without brakes (even more so than this dingle speed nonsense!).

@Milkfloat I ran a 1x8 set-up on one of my previous MTBs, 32t up front and 8 speed 11-34t on the back (the same rear wheel and cassette that's currently on the Marin actually). It worked great as a geared set-up, but wouldn't scratch that single speed itch.