SS chain length.

[bychosis]

I have a SS MTB with vertical dropouts and currently with a tensioner. The chain very nearly fit without the tensioner, but not quite. Would it be a really bad idea to run a chain that is a bit worn (stretched) but that allows me to not use a tensioner. I'm thinking that it wouldn't need much stretch. The chainring is in good condition (ex 9spd) and the cog is a SS cog. I have a 9spd chain just removed from my geared MTB due to wear that might do it.

Thoughts?

[singlespeedscott]

Have you thought of using a SS specific chainring with 1 tooth larger than what you currently run. A SS ring has a taller tooth profile which will also reduce the chances that your chain will de-rail under tension. Something which will be highly probable with a worn, slack chain on a ring designed for shifting gears.

Another option is to buy a new chain and a half link. The half link maybe just enough for perfect drive train tension.

[bychosis]

Those options are there, but I wondered what might happen if I experiment.

[singlespeedscott]

I dare say a derailment one day whilst out if the saddle, honking on the bars, pushing hard up a hill.

Trust me, I've "been there done that".

[MoeJoe]

Here are a few thoughts...........

Give the worn chain a try, but you know it is already worn which doesn't inspire my confidence.

Make sure you have plenty of chain wrap around the rear cog to help avoid slippage.

I don't trust those half links and have read a few horror stories. If you think about it, the 'S' shape of the half link will naturally try to bend back and straighten out. This seems to be the most common way that they end up stretching and failing.

I have a vertical dropout MTB frame that has been converted to an SS using a rear dropout tensioner. I've had slippage right at high torque moments at the top of hills etc. The drivetrain is new and finding the cause of the slippage took a bit of time. It has drove me crazy for a while because it only appears at that 1% of the time.

* If you have a magic gear that doesn't need a tensioner then count yourself lucky.
* If you do need a tensioner then make sure it pushes upwards and creates some chain wrap on the rear cog so it doesn't slip.
* If you do buy a tensioner, then I think the Yess ETR/B that tensions the front sprocket is the way to go. it has good reviews but isn't cheap.
http://labs.yesspro.com/products/etr-b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; It looks much neater in my eyes than a rear dropout tensioner.
* Or shell out for an ENO hub and be done with it. Makes your cheap SS bike kind of pricey at the end though.
* The poor mans ENO is to hack away half of your axle to provide a bit of adjustment.
Surprisingly good results have been reported, but it just doesn't sound like a good idea

Removing gears on a vertical dropout frame can be more of a headache than it seems

[PANZR]

Remember that if you run a worn chain for too long, it could cause premature wear on the teeth of the cog and chain ring

As a high mileage courier I broke zero normal chains but, I have broken two half-link chains and both occasions resulted in an accident in traffic and blood...but, the important thing is, my bike was okay

[optiumcarbon]

you should be fine running a worn chain for a bit but then it will just stretch a bit more and will become slacker and slacker and may start falling off/