BenGraham

This would work for me actually as I have iscg 05 tabs. But where can I find such a thing? No one seems to offer them as DH rigs don't seem to use them anymore. Or its just that I'm not looking in the right places. Any thoughts?

Thanks everyone for the entertainment and the advice. I'll continue my search. Might even get into some DIY.

Thanks I'll definitely have a look at this. I see half links don't work with NW chainrings so I'll need to see if I can track down a non NW chainring. But still an interesting option to have a look at.

So yes I have vertical dropouts on my mtb and I like single speed. My friends have questioned my sanity on numerous occasions. I have one foot in each camp I know. I've got a rapide tensioner - its this one https://www.rapide.co.za/product/rapide-tension-r-single-speed-chain-tensioner/ But it leaves some things to be desired. It was a great start but now that I'm somewhat committed to riding single speed I want something that works better. I must say that rapide are a fantastic brand and one of the few local brands that seems committed to single speed so I'm a believer in supporting them whenever I can. Money is such that a new frame with horizontal dropouts is definitely not an option, also I really like my bike. So what options do we have on the market here? I would prefer not to import at this point. Oh and wrt to my issues. Too much chain slap, also the little guard gets lose and rotates back and grinds against the chain. The chain loves to jump off the little jockey wheel. I think that about covers it. Part of the bliss of single speed is not dealing with mechanicals and so any time I have to dismount to deal with my bike I'm annoyed. Been looking but everything I'd be keen to try is only available in the northern hemisphere. I like the idea of a push up style fixed tensioner. I've seen the blackspire iscg mounted one which would probably work well in my case if I could find one. Anyway I appreciate your thoughts.

That's the one.

That looks familiar. Good to see it build up.

I finally have a picture that does my bike justice. Still a work in progress. This thing is begging for a dropper. Then a new fork, then bigger wheels (currently its 26er wheels and fork on a 27.5 frame). But its already an absolute ripper. It descends like its on rails. Love it to bits. One of these days I'll get a chain guide style tensioner for it to clean up the look. Also the chain slap from the spring loaded tensioner bugs me. Anyway. This is my steed.

Looks like I'll be seeing even more rule 5 violations out on the trails now.

My thoughts exactly. Also you know when the marketers use absurd language like unicorn hair they intend to charge equally absurd prices for everything. Unicorn hair, just like unicorn pooh smells like bs to me. I'm not saying it isn't incrementally better but you do have to ask how deep into the land of diminishing returns you want to go.

This looks very nice.

https://problemsolversbike.com/products/drivetrain/zinger_-_k5145 Except I have no idea how you get it here. Maybe someone else here knows.

For what its worth I'm currently running a 30T nw with an 18T cog. I was on a 17 before but I'm a bit out of shape. So yeah I'm slow on flats and boring stuff but no one I ride with can touch me on sweeping single track and downhills where momentum is what matters more than pedaling. Single speed teaches you to use every bit of speed the trail gives you for speed. Learning to stay off the brakes in turns and small dips and such is one of the key skills single speed teaches you. Honestly I don't think 30X18 will be an issue.

This is true and helped by the single speed frame. I have to use a tensioner so I like the extra security of a NW ring and they're so easy to get now. I started riding when NW chainrings were just becoming a thing.

Enjoy it. Single speed is an experience that's hard to describe. You have to experience it to understand what's great about it.

The thing about standard chainrings if they're the two or 3 ring type is that they are designed to allow the chain to slide off. Its inherent in the system. They expect you to use a front derailleur. I mean you can try. If anything single speed for me is about thumbing my nose towards accepted wisdom and conventional ways of doing things but my advice is get a dedicated nw chainring and the single speed experience with be significantly better. Rapide has them for fairly cheap. Spend less on the chain and you can afford it. The beauty of single speed is you can replace you entire drive train for less than the price of a rear derailleur.

I'm afraid your budget is about as old fashioned as your 15 year old Schwinn. You'll struggle to get a mountain bike in that price range. I'd look at Titan as a good value for money brand. Here's the cheapest one I could find but be warned they will have cut some corners - https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/titan-29er/products/titan-rogue-alpine-2020 For cruising along with your son I'd say you don't even need a geared bike but a single speed mountain bike is kind of a custom job that you are unlikely to pick up in a store and single speed road bike like a "simple sam" or a "rook" you've already ruled out. Also be aware all mountain bikes are gateway drugs. You'll never be satisfied with your first one. Prepare to be sucked in. Its not a cheap sport. I told my wife I could be out gambling or buying drugs on street corners. My only vice is mountain biking. We still argue about what the sport costs. She's of the opinion that its a luxury. I keep trying to explain to her that its this or a therapist and the therapist would probably cost a lot more. My current bike's frame (and its a hardtail) cost R6500 on sale on its own (no wheels, no fork, no drivetrain, not even bearings in the headset or bottom bracket). I carry parts over between bikes so I don't have to buy everything at once. If you choose wisely you can carry things forward, still its complicated because of the shifting sands of varying standards so certainly not a beginner pursuit. Anyway I'm rambling but those are my thoughts. I'm sure others here have more informed opinions but you'll probably find the sensible minds are all sleeping right now. I'll be up for a couple of hours still I'm sure.

I did not know this existed. Must remember for one day when I have money again.

Stick that in you'll full sus carbon frame and smoke it.

Actually I've found the most appropriate rule for this situation. Rule 20 : There are only three remedies for pain.These are: If your quads start to burn, shift forward to use your hamstrings and calves, or If your calves or hamstrings start to burn, shift back to use your quads, or If you feel wimpy and weak, meditate on Rule #5 and train more!

"Tan lines should be kept razer sharp" Are you perhaps thinking of "rule 5 : harden the **** up." I felt it was a little harsh for a new rider.

But seriously. I ride a single speed mtb what the hell do I know. Try to enjoy riding your bike. Its supposed to be fun.

Rule 10 : It never gets easier, you just go faster.

This is great. I had no idea this existed.

That's nothing. I clocked an average of 1208.96 km/h on the 2018 JUMA.

Clearly you've been getting more training in during lockdown than I have. I ride the spruit often but I won't be able to keep up with that pace. Still head out on Saturday you'll make friends easily. The spruit is a friendly place. You might even blast past me.