Square taper single speed 32t crank

[Rouxenator]

I have a basic 3x9 setup and lately I find I never use any front chainring but my middle 32t one. At the back I have a 12-36t cassette that handles everything.

 

Without over complicating anything I want to try the single blade thing. Where can I get a crank that I can simply replace my 3sp Acera with?

[RocknRolla]

Why not just remove the unwanted blades, get single chainring bolts from Rapide ( or LBS) and bob's married to your aunt.

 

Try spend some bucks on a narrow wide chainring, to keep the chain on the single blade, else you may have to run a chainguide.

[SimpleDom]

Single blade on the middle of a 3x crank works well. Narrow wide Chainring for R450 from rapide or kitted and you're sorted.

[Rouxenator]

Cool, just ordered a narrow wide 32t chainring from kitted. Will have it fitted on my Acera M391 crank and then I'll see how it goes. I am just so tired of front derailleurs, they never work without some flaw or the other, well for me at least that is the case. 

 

I am a bit worried about some really steep climbs although I guess it should be possible to get one of those 40t extender cogs and drop one of the cogs on my 12t-36t. My other concern is doing my 4th Transkaroo this year using this setup. All previous ones were done on 3x8 (11t-32t). 

 

Guess plan B would be to try 2x10, but on a cheap bike like mine that would not make much sense. 

[johanpre44]

I'm running a 1x8 setup on my one bike. Lots of fun, but struggled with a couple of hills here in Jhb (like Northcliff). But I can at least say the problem is down to me not standing and pedaling and also the 34t at the front and 32t at the back. Think your 32t front and 36t back will be great.

 

My front ring is a regular DH ring (not a narrow wide), had some issues with chain drops but got a chain retaining device like the Blackspire Stinger which sorted out the problem.