26 May 2011 - 7:34Something Different

So, I’ve been slacking on getting my FS/SS back on track. Let’s face it, I spend so much time working on other people’s jalopies that I have very little time to fix my own. After T-Hom borrowed Shreddie, messed up the position of everything, got it filthy, ruined the brake pads (not really his fault at all), I had to spend a bunch of time making it all right.

And it isnt even done yet .

But, I decided to do something about the chain guide. See, the Yess tensioner had this silly pulley that the chain just sort of ground through. There was a ton of drag in the drivetrain, which did not make me happy. After the mud of SSAP, the pulley stopped turning completely, and pedaling was a real drag.

I’ve been speaking with my peeps about FS/SS chain tensioning devices, and some of these folks use old 8spd XTR or road derailleurs. I happened to have this SRAM Force derailleur kicking around. Why can’t this work? Short cage, strong return spring… My biggest gripe (besides the drag) on the Yess tensioner is the fact that I had to completely disassemble the back end to remove the rear wheel from the bike. Lame. I mean, what if I got a flat? The limit screws don’t really do anything in this application, and there was a lot of lateral movement, which I took care of by running a shift cable through the barrel adjuster, thus holding the derailleur in place.

Does it work? In the parking lot it works awesome. I hope to get some trail time with it this weekend.

5 Comments » | Tags: Bike 29 Equipment, JET9, Niner, singlespeed

Comments:

1. blue says;
   26 May 2011 - 9:29

   I did this 3 or 4 years ago to my GT and you laughed at me……

2. G says;
   26 May 2011 - 9:53

   Except your GT has 2 chainrings up front. And isnt full suspension. And is a GT.

3. dough says;
   26 May 2011 - 10:53

   My friend uses a road der on his full sus Hi Fi. Works well. Tire changes are quick too (which would be good if you are racing).

   I used a der years ago as a tensioner for a SS trials bike I built up. Looks ugly but works well.

4. Blue says;
   26 May 2011 - 22:18

   I recall a post a few weeks ago about a certain former bike of yours………..GT I believe.

5. G says;
   28 May 2011 - 8:31

   Not knocking the Garbage Truck, but I am knocking your 2 speed.

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