The biking thread

NINE_HUNDRED
Has anybody converted from a 3x to a 1x chainring on a mtb? I've been looking at a few videos, guides etc. and it seems fairly straight forward, just trying to understand all the things that may need to be replaced, costs and if it's worth it. I currently only ever use the middle ring up front which is what got me looking into it, plus it looks much nicer :)
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I did one a few years back as a project, pics probably somewhere in this thread.

Apart from having to buy the specialist tool to pull the crank off it was pretty straight forward. Old one off, new one on. I didn't replace any bearings but if you're going to do that then be sure you know which type to replace, bottom bracket bearings can cause major headaches because there are so many varieties.
 
W3HS
I did one a few years back as a project, pics probably somewhere in this thread.

Apart from having to buy the specialist tool to pull the crank off it was pretty straight forward. Old one off, new one on. I didn't replace any bearings but if you're going to do that then be sure you know which type to replace, bottom bracket bearings can cause major headaches because there are so many varieties.
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What would be the reason to change the bearings? Just general wear? I hadn't planned to change them. The bike is only a year old and I've not gone mad on it.

Appreciate the input though, will check out the crank tool 👍
 
NINE_HUNDRED
What would be the reason to change the bearings? Just general wear? I hadn't planned to change them. The bike is only a year old and I've not gone mad on it.

Appreciate the input though, will check out the crank tool 👍
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Yeah, bb bearings start to wear over time. Creaks and squeaks will indicate if they do need swapping but a year old bike won't need it.

The tool cost me about a fiver if I remember correctly and got the job done well, even if it has no other function.
 
I've done four conversions - two for myself and two for my mother. I'd recommend a narrow-wide type chainring and a friction clutch rear derailleur to make sure the chain won't jump off the chainring but you can do without them if on a budget build.

Pictures in spoilers as they're a bit large.

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Greycap
I've done four conversions - two for myself and two for my mother. I'd recommend a narrow-wide type chainring and a friction clutch rear derailleur to make sure the chain won't jump off the chainring but you can do without them if on a budget build.
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Sorry, another question..

My bike is 3x8 and from what I've seen narrow-wide chainrings start at x9. Would they work with an 8sp cassette if I bought a 9sp chain as well? I've read that a 9sp chain on the 8sp cassette should be fine, but would the chainring be ok too?

The other alternative is to replace everything which would cost towards £100, not something I'd want to do with this bike.
 
NINE_HUNDRED
Would they work with an 8sp cassette if I bought a 9sp chain as well? I've read that a 9sp chain on the 8sp cassette should be fine, but would the chainring be ok too?
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9spd chain will be perfectly fine with a 8spd cassette, other way round would be an issue as the wider chain may rub between the closer cogs of a 9spd cassette.

You should be perfectly fine with the chain rings also. The tooth profile hasn't changed over the years only chain widths (not link lengths) to match the closer spacing of higher spd cassettes.
 
I have a very strong feeling that it would be completely fine to even use that 8 speed chain too because for what I know the inner width of the chain is the same 3/32" regardless of if it's an 8, 9, 10 or even an 11 speed chain. The width difference comes from the outer plates which get thinner as the gear count goes up.
 
Greycap
I know the inner width of the chain is the same 3/32" regardless of if it's an 8, 9, 10 or even an 11 speed chain
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Yep 👍
It's as you say the outer dimensions that have changed.

I needed a chain for my runaround bike (9 speed) and all I had lying around was a partially worn 11spd chain. It works better than a 9 spd chain as it's skinnier overall meaning you never get any chain rub even with severe cross chaining.
 
Great, cheers guys.

One thing which may throw this whole idea out the window, my crappy Suntour cranks.. Apparently some are riveted to the chainrings and can't really be changed/upgraded etc.? I took some pictures of mine but not really sure what I'm looking for. It's a 2015 Felt Six80.

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Am beginning to think if this is worth the effort.
 
The last one I upgraded was pretty much the same, it also had "semi-replaceable chainrings" and I thought that the smallest one has been riveted to the crank and won't come off no matter what. I accepted the situation and was prepared to leave it in place but when I screwed the big ring off the middle one also came off as expected - but so did the smallest one, it turned out that it was riveted to the middle ring instead of the crank.

Which leads to another thign I hadn't thought about earlier, it seems that your system is similar in having the big ring and the middle ring held together by simple screws with threads in the middle ring. In that case you'll need a set of chainring bolts, ones that have both an "inner and outer part" as there won't be threads on the narrow-wide chainring.
 
Yep, seems the same. I ended up taking it all off and checking last night, the small and middle ring are joined but not too the crank it self. I've ordered everything now so we'll see how it goes!

Thanks again for everyone's input 👍
 
allent2
take a nasty spill in this one!
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Take it easy next time, dude! :ill:

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.

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For when the wind is out of the south, I've found a route I'm really liking (around 15 miles round trip). Now I just need to get the speed and distance cranked up!
 
Done! (excuse the bad before and after images)

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Not been out on it yet but gave it a few chucks up and down and the chain didn't come off, so that's a good start!
 
Tomorrow is new (old) bike day.

Since my Specialized was stolen I asked my mate to pick me up something from the scrap heap. Bike lottery if you like.

£25 has netted me a yet unseen bike. All I know is what my mate has told me; it's 700c and 8 speed. I'm assuming it's a road bike.

Pics when I collect it. It might be a heap of junk but because it only cost me £25 I've still got loads of cash left for repairs and upgrades.
 
New bike day came and went.

Picked it up from my mates and then had to ride it 10km home with 2 buckled wheels, a saddle that felt like knife blades in my cheeks and about 2% of working brake power on the rear only.

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5 hours of TLC in the workshop and another £25 worth of parts and it is now rideable, comfortable and more importantly safe.

Found an old hydraulic disc for the front and bought a new cable for the rear brake, new saddle and got a bloke to true the rims. Found a hairline crack in the rear rim so it could only be trued to a certain extent but it's better than it was.

Few dollops of grease and some adjustments all round got it feeling alright. Ride to work today, 30 mile round trip, and realised I hadn't adjusted the rear mech (it's a 9 speed single crank ring), that might improve it a bit more.

I must say it's the largest bicycle I've ever owned. £50 total cost (not including a few beers for my mates who help fix it).

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A thoroughbred American cross country racer in a very typical Finnish forest - not the most common combination but I can't complain about how well it works.

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Crazy sprint at the end of stage 1 in the Tour today, Cavendish won ahead of Kittel and Sagan after a big crash about 500m out.
 
@V0RT3X it's hard to tell by the image on my phone but it that a Campy crankset with what very much looks like Shimano shifters?
 
V0RT3X
FSA SLK crankset with all Shimano Ultegra 6700 (10 speed) components.
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Ah ok 👍, best I could make out on my phone had me thinking it was a Campy record crankset.
The next question would have been why are you mixing Campy and Shimano? :lol:
 
Shaun
Ah ok 👍, best I could make out on my phone had me thinking it was a Campy record crankset.
The next question would have been why are you mixing Campy and Shimano? :lol:
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Yeah, haha. At least you're not like my boss, shouting at me for not running any campy stuff. :)
 
Anyone watching today's stage of the Tour? It's a flat one but they have the wind in the back so the peloton keeps breaking up. And they're averaging over 50kph. A lot of riders kissing the tarmac today.
 
Dennisch
Anyone watching today's stage of the Tour? It's a flat one but they have the wind in the back so the peloton keeps breaking up. And they're averaging over 50kph. A lot of riders kissing the tarmac today.
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Saw the first and last of it. Was tired and fell asleep but saw that wind was causing issues all over the place.
 
Dennisch
Anyone watching today's stage of the Tour? It's a flat one but they have the wind in the back so the peloton keeps breaking up. And they're averaging over 50kph. A lot of riders kissing the tarmac today.
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Yeah, wind is going to be worse today apparently. Last I heard they are going to cut the stage short by the last 6km going up Mt Ventoux which is such a shame that the wind has to be up for this stage.

In other news this is starting to get out of hand. :lol:
I was going through all my spare parts a while ago and realised all I needed for another bike was an actual frame. That got me thinking, I don't mind riding in the rain too much but what does annoy me is the couple of hours it can take to get all the mud and crap off the bike afterwards.

So I thought if I had another cheaper bike I wouldn't stress over as much I could just hose it down afterwards and spray certain parts with WD40. Sourced the second hand frame off eBay and put it together yesterday, took it for a quick 30km today and it rides well, now that I'm happy with the handlebar height I can cut the steerer tube to finish it off.
 
Shaun
Yeah, wind is going to be worse today apparently. Last I heard they are going to cut the stage short by the last 6km going up Mt Ventoux which is such a shame that the wind has to be up for this stage
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I saw some footage of people getting blown off their bikes yesterday, being sandblasted in the process.

It's a shame though, because it's a truly awesome mountain to see, no other mountains around at all. And that sandy top just finishes the picture. But it's still a 16km climb.
 

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