Mattwalt

I have used a few half link chains. They stretch like crazy - removed 4 half links in 3 months - thats 50mm of stretch (must have strong legs). Totally decimated my chainring and cog. Personally I’m not a fan. My go-to is KMC’s Z610 HX - its a heavy duty SS chain in 3/32.

Your LBS should be able to hook you up with a double pully type (About R700) I use a Surly Singulator - off eBay - and got a push up spring. Rapide ’s tensioner only really works push-down - which is a pity. Apparently they did look into push-up springs but felt wheel removal was too fiddly. DMR Tensionseeker is also nice. For me the Singular is the best - but can be a little fussy with chain length and chainring/cog choice and frame (dropout mainly) design. But its usually possible to get that sorted. When I put power down - any push down setups has my chain jumping off the rear cog.

Ben G - try get a setup that pushed the chain rather than down - the better the chain wraps around the rear cog he better :-) Nice bike

GT Avalanche Xt cranks - Oval chainring (32x18) Surely Singulator Funn Pedals Thomson Stem Rapide wide bars and seat post Tioga Spider Saddle clone (may ditch soon) Rockshox J3 forks - looking to replace with rigid fork Wheels - to be upgraded when possible Actually keen to try fit a 650b or even a 29er in the front

Urg... wish I had. Realised I left one out I built for a friend - old steel Spesh’ Rockhopper. The 29er On-One Inbred is in Portugal in a box - thats my ‘baby’ - sweet build. The first GT was awesome - carbon White Bros forks. The Wheeler was also amazing (died - cracked frame)... and the Bokor (stolen)... and the Giant 870... can Post the current GT and the ‘Guana when I get her back from the local. Will have a look see about some of the builds. May find some pics...

Used to regularly loose alloy bolts (lost 3 in one ride once) - steel is the way to go...

The SS Builds 2002 Giant Yukon 26 2003 Giant ATX 870 (98) 26 On-One Inbred 26 Sliders 2004 Giant Yukon 26 reboot Wheeler 5800 26 2009 Diamond Back Apex 26 2011 Giant XTC (06) 26 GT Avalanche Disc 26 (06) 2013 Voodoo Bokor USA 26 (06) Giant XTC (06) 26 Reboot 2014 50’s Vintage Road Saracen Tufftrax 26 2016 One-One 29er SS edition (Current) 2018 GT Avalanche 26 (Current) 2019 Giant Iguana 650 (96) (Current)