Full Suspension Single Speeds in MBA Magazine

[willem]

Well Callum, it's as though they were reading our minds...

Mountain Bike Action published a great article on "How To Make a Full Suspension SS"

There are great tidbits in there on how to make the change. They're a little short on how to deal with >2" of chain growth, and they recommend some expensive alternatives, but all in all it's pretty good.

FWIW, while I'm selling one 856 (or trying to in the last 24 hours of my ebay listing) I will always keep my SS. It's so much fun to ride!

Will

[shovelon]

Will, you are tempting me big time.

I have an 856 semi built. Does the rear suspension design lend itself to SS? I can't imagine an Evo design lend itself as the bobbing could be great. The short swingarm and high pivot is what that "Dig-in Technology" is all about.

Terry

[willem]

Terry,

I bought a XBB single chainring w/ bashguard, a Surly Singleator, a SS Chain, and a SS cog w/flared spacers from Jenson USA. The total bill was about $160.

Right now I'm running a 32x16 but would recommend the other cog, an 18, that comes in the SS kit.

You've got to run the Singleator under the chain in "push up" mode. Without any sag though, the lower chain actually touches the upper chain.

The Singleator doesn't have quite enough chutzpah to hold the chain up for me, so I added a tension spring from the strut pivot to the Singleator axle. (It looks almost factory!)

Anyhow, this bike has slicks, disks, and a cheap 5" fork. It goes like stink and loves to jump off drainage walls, curbs, etc. Haven't had that much fun on a bike since I went chairlifting in Colorado!

[orange]

would one of those Rohloff tensioners with 2 wheels do the trick? I use one of them for a 2 speed I have (2 rings up front, single cog at the back - not full suss I should add!). May give you enough room for chain growth?

This isn't my one but a stock photo - this one seems to have a Rohloff hub too...but the principle's the same.

[purple gerbil]

im probably talking verbal crap here but cant you lockout a shortcage mech with longer h/l gear screws.

[willem]

I think a "locked out" derailleur will work fine. It'll cause quite a bit more friction and take away from the "ultra simple" cachet of a SS.

For some verbal abuse - and good advice from the SS geniuses, try this link...

http://www.surlybikes.com/spew3.html

This switch back from Daylight Savings Time is great! I get to go Single Speeding before work again!