Another Single Speed Project…Red Rocket!
First I want to apologize for not posting actual pictures of my newest project bike, well its all due to my camera taking dump and its at the shop being repaired. Anyhow, I started a new single speed project bike that involves the color RED!
Just to give you a hint on one of the items that adorns this Red Rocket, I’ve summoned the powers that be at PricePoint.com for a Single Speed Tensioner, and this is the baby that they provided me.
This bad boy retails for $19.98 at Pricepoint.com.
Here’s the specs:
The Sette Tensioner is a single speed chain tensioner that will work for vertical or horizontal dropouts. It will only add 100g to your frame and can mount using a quick release or bolt-on type hubs. The Sette Tension Guide will easily mount directly to your rear drop-out and derailleur hanger and allow for full adjustability to achieve the perfect chain line.
I’m also using the Sette Single Speed Conversion Kit from Pricepoint.com.
Once I get my camera back from the shop, I’ll make sure to post some photos of the Red Rocket. One last hint…click here to find it.
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07/12/2008
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07/13/2008
The Golden Gate Bridge??? A Bay Area bike company?? Nice… another SS coming to life! Can’t wait to see it!!
07/13/2008
Very cool…check out our single speed project here: http://mtobikes.com/first-ride-on-my-fully-rigid-singular-swift-ss/
07/13/2008
That looks exactly like my Rennen tensioner that I had on my trials bike. About half the price too! I couldnt use it though without using a half link, so I sold it.
07/13/2008
No love for the KMC singlespeed chain and halflink?
07/13/2008
That’s too bad Jay. Vince Rodarte (KHS) has a half link chain that he uses on his SS. I wasn’t all that happy with how my white SS KMC chain performed, so I went with a 5/6 speed chain from KMC on this build.
07/13/2008
BK,
Is BMBU as in Black Mountain Bikers USA, black as in James Brown Black?
RL
07/13/2008
No.. I loved it… when I wasn’t laying flat on my back breaking my tail bone. (Seriously) My chain snapped as I was hopping from my rear tire from one set of wooden pallets to another. (Also had a few other mishaps of smashing my knee into the handle bars and neck.
For a regular SS it would most likely be fine, but half links = death for trials bikes!! There is way to much pressure and force on the chain for a half link. (And of course the chain will snap wherever the weakest link is located) I sold it, bought a KMC 810 chain and switched to a modified derailleur. No problems ever since.
BTW…I’m actually working on my own SS road bike project at the moment. : )
07/13/2008
What do you think it is about a half-link that makes it weaker? The Shadow Conspiracy makes a full chain entirely out of half-links (V1 and V2), and it is one of the strongest chains on the market, bar none.
And you guys do realize that there are 1/8″ half-links and less common 3/32″ half-links, and never the twain shall meet — they don’t play together very well. Could this be the source of the “weakness” (putting a 1/8″ half-link in a 3/32″ full chain)?
07/14/2008
Yes, I’m aware of the difference between the different sizes. And no I never tried putting the two different sizes together. I’m not exactly sure why they are so weak, but they do appear to be thinner when comparing it to a regular link.
Ask any trials rider and they will tell you… half links are avoided at all cost. I’ve actually heard a lot of experienced trials riders say that they would never use the Shadow Conspiracy chain either. Apparently, their thinking is that is one half link is bad, then a whole chain of them is worst. I’ve never tried it, so I cant really talk from experience on this one.
07/14/2008
Ok…
I suppose a trials bike puts a lot more strain on the drivetrain than a typical bike, too — and that probably loads the chain with a lot more tension than they like. Hmm…
The Shadow chain is the bomb, though. Each half sideplate is thick and those chains are BEEFY. You could probably use one as a drive chain inside a big rig’s motor.
07/14/2008
The Shadow chain doesn’t use normal half links, it’s super thick, very strong. It’s not light, but it is strong. I would think the trails guys would love the Shadow chain; I know BMX riders use them. I had an Eastern Half-Link chain on my BMX and loved it. (Eastern no longer makes the chain; they got in trouble w/Shadow ’cause they copied the design).
As far as the single speed project; you guys should do a full suspension single speed! I ride a Giant Anthem converted to SS w/the Yess GTR-V tensioner and I LOVE it!
07/14/2008
Dman,
We did do a FS SS. That was my first SS project. Here’s an article from it:
http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2008/01/28/desert-snow/
More info here:
http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/page/2/?s=full+suspension+single+speed
07/14/2008
Pics of my bike: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563295371ySsKlX
07/14/2008
Ummm, they did:
http://www.mtnbikeriders.com/2008/05/28/yess-proetr-v-vertical-chain-tensioner-full-suspension-single-speed-tensioner-review/