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MountainBikeReview.com's Forum Archives - Singlespeed
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I know Ernesto's answer, but ENO or Converter? (9 posts)
|  I know Ernesto's answer, but ENO or Converter? | Jakob
Nov 14, 2003 11:00 AM | | So I have a complete vertical drop SS mtb built up with a 7spd XT deraileur as a tensioner. It's fine for commuting around town but failure is an almost certainly as soon as I try climbing on the bike.
I'm game to drop a little bit of $$ on this pretty little bike and cleaning up the drivetrain is a priority. I need a need a new chainring, chain, and cog and I thought it would be a good time to commit to either a Soulcraft Converter or an ENO rear wheel. Which is a better value? Which is a cleaner install? I know the bike will look cleaner with the ENO, but then I'll have another random wheels floating around my garage. Also, overall the Converter is probably a less expensive deal, or is it? These are my questions.
Also, does anyone want to trade a Spot CX chainring guard for one sized for a compact drive? |
| ENO or Converter? | SS rif
Nov 14, 2003 11:34 AM | | Hi Jakob. When I converted my bike to SS, I first used the Surly singleator, and it worked well (in the push-up position). I decided to go all out and have a wheelset built up around the ENO, just because it looked cleaner. Know what? It ended up running smoother and quieter without the extra mechanics. Lots of people use the chain tensioner, and it is a less expensive option. But for me, I'm glad I bit the bullet and went all out. Heck, now I have two worn out wheelsets hanging around! I guess the final choice is up to you.
Karl |
| I'm in the same boat.... | Ebo
Nov 14, 2003 2:09 PM | | Using a derailleur as a tensioner. So far it works great, but certainly is not as quiet and looks funky. No problem climbing though. Just gave it a real test today and it passed. Biggest effort climbing I have given in a long time. It hurt so good. I'm leaning towards biting the bullet now and go the ENO way. Just looking for a decent wheel for a fair price. |
| out of cuiosity (to everyone)... | Que?
Nov 14, 2003 2:40 PM | | To what extent do you really need "perfect" chain tension with vertical drops? I've converted one of my frames to SS, and the resulting chain tension really isn't perfect. Based on what I saw some others do around here (and the FixMeUp web site), I tried a 34t Salsa ring paired with a Novatech 20t cog. The chain is a little bit (well...at lot!) more slack than I'd like. But it's still darn tough to derail even by hand, and it hasn't given me the slightest problem this season. Maybe I just got lucky?
If it matters, my bike's supposed to have a 16.75" chainstays, but I think they're a little shorter than that actually. Also, I only weigh 145, so I'm not likely flexing the frame too much.
So, I'd consider at least trying a few gear combinations out in advance to see if your frame can take a gear ratio that'd work out for you. Perhaps try an unramped Salsa ring ($20) and a couple of different BMX cogs ($4-5 each) and see if it works?
Just a thought,
-Que? |
| you may be right on the money. | xrmattaz
Nov 14, 2003 4:51 PM | | I used the Singleator on my old Stumpy for quite some time, then found the perfect gear combo of 34/18 (this is my daily commuter bike). Sans Singleator, I have never had the chain skip or derail, in spite of my daily abuse on the hills to and fro from work.
A good tall-toothed chainring and similar DX cog has allowed me to free meself from tensioning devices. The chain seems to be a bit slack, but no problems in daily riding of >6 months. |
| you may be right on the money. | Ebo
Nov 14, 2003 6:49 PM | | I'm also riding a Stumpy (95 M2) with a 32/18. Unless I used a half link, there is quite a bit of sag. Thus, using a derailleur for tension. The 32 is a ramped shimano 5 bolt ring which for the short time I have used it, has been no problem. I'm not quite up for a 34 due to the local terrain, so do I leave it as is, buy a tensioner, go ENO, get a half link, or suck it up and throw on a 34. Any help appreciated. |
| you may be right on the money. | Que?
Nov 14, 2003 7:15 PM | | A 34:20 setup should fit just about as well as your 32:18. Search the archives for information about the "rule of 4". You can also see for yourself by messing with the calculator on the FixMeUp web site.
34:20 gear ratio will be a bit easier to push than a 32:18 too!
-Que? |
| Thanks...what's you're thought on a half link? | Ebo
Nov 14, 2003 7:24 PM | | I've read about the "rule of 4", but trying to get by on rings and cogs I already have in stock. I will also try the FixMeUp site. Thanks again. |
| dunno...(and additional question for informed posters) | Que?
Nov 15, 2003 10:44 AM | | Haven't used them. Others here seem to have good results with them.
Which leads to a question...does anyone know of a calculator like the one at the Fixed Innovations site that'll also come up with gear combos if you throw a half-link into the mix? That'd be extremely useful.
-Que? |
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