theRussian

I guess I can do away with the tensioner, but I do change between a 16 and 17 teeth at the back and with the tensioner there is no need to adjust the chain length. Eventually the chain will also stretch and the tensioner will take care of that as well. I know the look is not as clean as I would have preferred, but it does make my life easier while I am still trying out gear ratios.

Very nice SS! I wish you lots of shift-free miles!

Thanks Beesrib. I enjoyed building it. It is a nice 9.8 Kg's, so a good ride as well.

I managed to finish my first SS build. Most of it were sourced from fellow hubbers. I got the frame, seatpost and seat from Muviman. The brakes are from kvdp. The leather grips are from BBN. Half link chain, chain tensioner, fork, cogs and spacers from Kiwi's shop, Rapide. Handelbar, stem and pedals from Bicicletta. Wheels from Family cycles in Centurion. Crankset from Torx in Centurion. LOTS of help received from rouxie and jcmeyerSS. I already did about 150 km of nice dirt with it. Had some chain slip for the first 50km, but it settled after that and from there it was just one huge pleasure. We did lots of mud and it was a liberation not to worry about gearshifts and huge maintenance afterwards.

In my quest to find the Oracle of chain breakers to work on my half link, I managed to break a park tool CT-5 http://rideons.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/chainbreakershutterstock_727616141.jpg I broke a Giant Chain breaker / splitter http://img.td-imgs.com/images/51/83/95183_709531_HUI-95183.jpg I I bent the pin of a X-zakt and I still do not have a chain breaker that can easily break and repair my chain (YBN MK918H): My problem is that the head of the pin on the chain is not flat, it is somewhat rounded. The tools are designed to push flush against the outer side of the chain, and then push the pin out. The half link is not flat at the pressure point and with the tool being slightly too small, the tool's pin slips off the chain's pin and does not push it out. The Giant tool had a hollow screw that you screw from the outer side to fit snugly around the pin and hold the chain in position. This is a brilliant design. Just a pity that the build is so terrible. The tool's pin pushed back during the 2nd time I used it! I guess it is time to check out the motorbike chain tools or order a workshop park tool. I will post here once I have a solution. Thanks for all the help from everybody so far.

There was a night race at Modders a month or so ago. Two of my friends, that are relatively new riders, got lost that evening. I went back looking for them. I cycled around for about an hour before a guy in a car found them. I must say, that was one awesome experience - cycling all on your own at around 23h00 in the rain through a beautiful place in the heart of Gauteng. Loved it. - Now it is a thread about somebody getting lost at Modderfontein.

Hi Big H, I am new to the whole SS thing. Really no expert on this. I read a few threads on the Hub and some other comments all over the show and decided to go the half link chain route. Not too expensive and looks a bit different. Only time will tell if it was a mistake. So did you combine a normal chain with one or 2 half links?

In my mind it gives you smaller adjustment segments to find the magic gear. If you use a "normal" chain, then you have to remove or add a longer piece every time you want to change it from let us say 16 teeth to 17 teeth at the back.

Thanks all. Test done successfully with the "flip up the outer plate" method and a small parktool chainbreaker. The last 0.5 mm kept slipping, so a hammer, screwdriver and small socket did the trick. See attached for result. Now to do it on the real chain... This is one of the last pieces for the completed 1x1. Will load pics of completed project soon (I hope )

Any idea if this item is stocked by any Centurion LBS's? Or is online shop the answer? (I found it at a few online shops in RS of A)

Thanks. I did not get time last night to try. I will try either today or tomorrow. I am sure I will win because of your valuable inputs.

What is the brand name of this chain breaker? is it "X-rakt"? Where can I get one. I can only find park tools, which I know are the best, but a bit higher than my budget.

Excellent! Thanks a mil for the advice. I do not have a workshop chain breaker yet, so will try your "flip-up" technique tonight while hunting down a proper workshop chain breaker that will not break the bank. Thanks again for the replies. I really do appreciate all the assistance.

Thanks Guys! I can see a huge learning opportunity coming my way.

Will do just that! Thanks. If I still struggle, I will give mr meyer a shout!

Thanks rouxie. I have already pushed the damn pin out. I tried the 3/4 way, but my chain breaker was too small, so I thought the replacement pin is the only way to go, well, it was not. :-( I will go and hunt down a proper workshop chainbreaker and try again. Thanks for the reply!

Hi, I am busy with my first SS build. I am experiencing a few challenges, but loving it. One of my challenges: I decided to get a half link chain, YBN MK918H SINGLE SPEED CHAIN. I am in the process of shortening this, but my little chain breaker only managed to break the chain and then bent/broke the replacement pin that came with it. The replacement pin is too long to fit into my chain breaker to push it back. I do not have a vice, otherwise I would have tried that. Hammer and nail did not do the trick. Where can I find a chain breaker that will be able to handle this replacement pin (as in the pic?) http://www.rushcycles.co.uk/smsimg/247/4051-10415-full-half_link_chain_pin-247.gif Any other advice on getting the chain fixed? Thanks!

Probeer Family cycling Shop in Centurion - Oom Jan het my al baie gehelp met baie goed, nuut en oud. Kontak hom gerus op 012 663 3839.

Yahh! 1 run!

Got a banjo fitting from Hatfield cycles. Johan is the guy in the workshop and he has helped me out a few times. Thanks Johan!

Thanks Johan! I will try to find some today, otherwise I will PM you.

Hi, I have a set of Avid XX brakes, but need to replace one hose. I have a bit of an issue at the caliper end. There is a Banjo fitting that seems like it is factory attached (or with a fancy tool) to the hose. I do have a long enough hose to use. I guess I will be able to fit the Lever side easy enough, BUT, what do I do at the caliper side? Do you get similar banjo fittings that you can attach to a hose yourself? (Please see the attached pic for the fitting) If so, any idea where I can get it in the Centurion area or online? There is one complete replacement set for sale at Wantitall, but for almost R1000!!! Not willing to go that route. Importing such a set is also an option, but with delivery and taxes it will be more than R700. Also not an option. Any help/advice will be appreciated!

I was part of a race at this venue a few years ago. Remeber the GiK race? At that stage we scouted the whole park and I must agree, there are some brilliant tracks with tough technical climbs as well as smooth and fast single tracks in there. I still enjoy a ride there every now and then. Loads of fun. Will go there soon to check out the "New routes".

Thanks, I got some egg beaters locally. Not a bad price, thanks shamus.

How much is shipping to SA? I want to bring in a few egg beaters only. Is it worthwhile?