Convert to one chain ring.

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huggybear0

Über Member
Hi I have a Trek ex8 2011 with Shimano M552, 42/32/24.

I would like to convert it to one chain ring. The videos on the web show it is possible to remove the large and small chain ring then get shorter bolts and use the 32 ring.

It then just remains to remove the front derailleur and gear mechanism and it should work

can I just ask has anyone done it and is it really that easy or is more required to set it up.
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
Never done it but should be very straightforward. Just make sure you won’t miss those extra gears :ohmy:
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
I'm doing this with my son's hillclimb bike build. You'll need a set of single speed / track chainring bolts. You may also need a chain guide to help prevent the chain coming off.
 

figbat

Slippery scientist
It should be as easy as you make out. You may wish to fit one or more "bash rings" to the crank in place of the removed chainrings just to keep it neat and tidy and help protect the remaining chainring. If you wanted to take it further you might consider getting a wider-range cassette to cover some of your missing gear ratios.
 

Sharky

Guru
Location
Kent
Done on my road bike. Fitted a narrow/wide ring at the front and shortened the chain. Fit the chain ring on the inner or outer positions depending on the best alignment for the type of riding you do.
 

figbat

Slippery scientist
You might. Shortening the chain will help avoid jumping off, as will adding bash rings. You can pick up a cheap chain guide that mounts to the seat tube - I run one on my 1x conversion. I also run a narrow-wide chainring, which you may also consider.
 
OP
OP
huggybear0

huggybear0

Über Member
You might. Shortening the chain will help avoid jumping off, as will adding bash rings. You can pick up a cheap chain guide that mounts to the seat tube - I run one on my 1x conversion. I also run a narrow-wide chainring, which you may also consider.
Hi can you send me some pictures of yours please.
 

Sharky

Guru
Location
Kent
I need to ask why?
In my case, I was forever doing the "Campag Shuffle". That's changing up on the front and down at the rear and in the dark on my commute home, often ended up in the small/small combinations. Switching to a 1x9, then a 1x10 made it a simple click up or down to change gear. And without the double at the front, I can get all 10 gears running smoothly. I was confident that it would work for me, as one of my other bikes is a single speed, running a 68" gear, so having 10 gears is a luxury. Think my range is now 40" to 90" ish, which just about gets me up most hills round here (and it is hilly in Kent) and a 90" is more than adequate for flats/descents.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
You may need a wider cassette and you could be limited by the rear mech as it's not designed for bigger cassettes, assuming you still want to get up big hills off road. Otherwise you'll be pushing.
 

jowwy

Can't spell, Can't Punctuate....Sue Me
narrow wide chainrings are a better option than bash guards and look better....cheap as chips on ebay or superstar components

can get most sizes whether its for mtb, road, cross or gravel
 

figbat

Slippery scientist
Hi can you send me some pictures of yours please.
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(ignore the bike rack clamp).
 

rogerzilla

Legendary Member
I did this on my 2 x 9 TSR. It just worked at first, with a 10-speed 105 rear mech. Then I fitted a 9-speed Dura-Ace mech and it started unshipping the chain frequently when changing gear, so I fitted a chain guide. Then I solved the problem altogether by making it a fixie!

So...you either need a clutched rear mech, a 10 speed mech with a strongish spring, a narrow-wide chainring or a chain guide.
 
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