 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
OK, so I'm thinking about converting to 1x10. At present I have a direct mount front mech and press fit bottom bracket. I have a few questions:
1) what is the standard motivation for converting to a single chain ring? I have a single speed and I like the simplicity of that set up, hence my motivation to try it on my 29er to some extent. Is this the reason people want to do it?
2) I understand I need a chain guide to stop my chain coming off the chainring. Should I be looking for a direct mount guide of bb guide? What are the merits of each? If I need a direct mount could I use my existing front mech in some way, particularly considering the ridiculous price of the guides?
3) what's the point of a bash guard?
Any advice would be welcome, as would recommendations for appropriate parts.
1. You got it, plus weight saving for racers
2. If you've got a press fit BB, I don't think you can use a bb mount, which fits between the bb and the external bearing cup (or cartridge in the old days). You could use your front mech as a guide by adjusting the limit screw to the right spot.
3. Stop you bashing you chainring on rocks and stuff. On a single, it has the added benefit that you can't drop the chain off the outside.
as above bash stops you bashing the chainring (+keeps chain in place) have a look at the hope integrated one.
Motivation varies but normally stems from not using the other 2 rings.
Does your bike have any iscg tabs? more do come with them especially those with the stupid PF BB's
[url= http://www.widgit.com.au/products/heavy-duty-bash-guard-1 ]This any good for you?[/url]
[img] 
?11[/img]
Get a short cage clutch mech and wait for the XX1-style chainrings to hit the market (should be very soon) and you might get by without using a chainguide.
Quite happy not using a bash here and an E13 XCX-ST. I don't bash into rocks and would rather have access to the chainring for cleaning purposes...
You could use this:
Paired with a clutch style rear derailleur this would work quite well for 1x10. I use 1x10, when I rode a 2x10 I couldn't work out which gear to be in, the small chain ring too easy, big chain ring a bit hard.... 1x just seems more right, for me anyway. I don't use a bash either, 32t chain ring on a tracer 2.
Chris
Epicyclo: I think that's exactly what I'm after. However, would it be compatible with my existing bottom bracket which had a hollow tech 2 crankset running through it?
Leave front mech on to start until our sure 1x9 is what you want. Working here fine like that. Going to change to a as specific ring at some point as well.
by the time you end up buying bash rings and expensive chain guides I wonder how much cheaper and lighter it is than a 2 or 3 ring set up.
The above Octalink set up can be removed from the cranks and fitted to any shimano 3 ring crank I imagine. But it doesn't fully replace what a chainguide does.
cobbdu1 - Member
Epicyclo: I think that's exactly what I'm after. However, would it be compatible with my existing bottom bracket which had a hollow tech 2 crankset running through it?
I'm pretty sure it would - I saw quite a few of them on bikes when I was in Oz and it basically looks like it's just a chainring with integrated protection.
Here's the [url= http://www.widgit.com.au/pages/technical ]WIdgit instructions[/url]
[img] 
?585[/img]