Oh so that's why I need a singlespeed chain!

[Andrew_Culture]

I converted my bike to SS by removing the cassette and using a bunch of spacers either side of a standard rear cassette cog. The problem with this set up is that the rear cogs don't last long before they get chewed up and struggle to hold onto the chain.

So I was ambling along Brick Lane in London at the weekend so popped into Brick Lane Bikes and treated myself to a fifteen quid singlespeed cog to replace the skinny standard cog that is crapping out.

Here be the olde cog

I've always wondered why people spend cash on SingleSpeed chains when I've always gotten by using ten speed chains.

Now I know.

Considering I built the singlespeed to a be a cheapo bike it's surprising how often I have to buy something for it. I can now see why people buy those trendy £300 singlespeeds that come ready to rock. I doubt I'd love one of those off the shelf bikes as much as this one I've built though.

 

[4F]

I think you will find 8 speed is the closest to a single speed chain. For a cheap option get up to Asda and but 2 of their singlespeed chains (4 quid each) and join together (1 will not be long enough especially if you are still running 52 at the front)

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I think you will find 8 speed is the closest to a single speed chain. For a cheap option get up to Asda and but 2 of their singlespeed chains (4 quid each) and join together (1 will not be long enough especially if you are still running 52 at the front)

Score! And considerably cheaper than the ones I was looking at. Which ASDA do you use?

 

[Andrew_Culture]

8 speed was what I had on there, not ten. I use these...

 

[JoeyB]

There is a single speed chain??

I was just gonna put an old Shimano Ultegra chain on mine!

 

[4F]

Score! And considerably cheaper than the ones I was looking at. Which ASDA do you use?

Whitehouse, have a look at the cog though is it a 1/82 or 3/32" ??

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Whitehouse, have a look at the cog though is it a 1/82 or 3/32" ??

My Vernier claim the cog to be 3.4.mm thick, or 0.13in

 

[4F]

What do your eyes say as it will be written on it somewhere and I meant 1/8" or 3/32" not 1/82....

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Well there's nowt written on the actual cog apart from 'Halo' and '18', but I did manage to find the packaging:

 

[TheDoctor]

I use the Asda 8 speed chain - also £4 IIRC. Ample length for a SS
Lasts a couple of years at least, but I am quite spinney
Mind you, I'm also quite large...

 

[SS Retro]

Planet X KMC SS chains starting at £4.99

 

[Alien8]

KMC S1 £2.84 at Ribble.

 

[Andrew_Culture]

KMC S1 £2.84 at Ribble.

Done and done. Bought two just to be on the safe side.

 

[JoeyB]

Done and done. Bought two just to be on the safe side.

Ditto....so cheap!

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Ditto....so cheap!

Are you also putting dedicated SS cogs on your project build then? If you're just using standard cogs I have a barely used chain I could have sent you