Hey all, hoping you can give me some tips/info. Thinking about doing two 60-70 mile days over the course of 3 days with a buddy in September and am a little hesitant about doing it single speed. Haven't ruled it out, but am exploring my options.
I ride a Bianchi SASS that is single speed from the factory, but uses the wider rear hub (I think it's the standard 135mm) even though the rear end is a track style drop-out system. Currently running a 34 narrow-wide Wolf Tooth chainring up front, so maybe I don't have to change that component. I have no idea which cassettes are the best or even how many speeds would be optimal. Obviously a new chain will be required along with the cassette.
I'm not especially concerned about the new chain, cassette, and shift lever but I don't seem to have a derailleur hanger because of the track style drop-outs. How can I accommodate the derailleur?
Anyone have a system/kit they recommend? Not trying to break the bank as I'll probably go back to mostly single speed after this, but the versatility of having a geared option is appealing. Would prefer mid-level over super cheap Chinese components.
by chicagoose3
8 Comments
Honestly, if I were you, I would just buy a second bike. The SASS (and all of the **SS bikes) are classics and worth keeping complete.
I can’t remember if that SASS used Paul hubs like the BUSS and others, but I believe it has a single speed only rear hub. Yeah? If so you would not only need to use a bodged derailleur hanger, derailleur, cassette and shifter, but you would also need a new wheel. At that price, you can buy an inexpensive older MTB for your purposes.
Just want to give a shoutout to bikepacking singlespeed. It rules!
best bet imo would be a new rear wheel w an internally geared hub. That would make going back and forth between ss and geared easier than having a derailleur.
https://problemsolversbike.com/products/chain-tensioner-with-hanger
Eyeballing it, this ought to fit the dropout. Stick a cassette on the hub in place of those spacers, proper chain, and run full-length housing to the derailleur. Bingo bango.
Have run similar hanger/tensioners for years on old hardtails back in the early 00s and it was never an issue IME. I think I have a 90s DMR in the frame pile currently that runs a similar setup.
Edit: Are you folks actually even reading OP’s post? The part where they say they’re likely to go back to SS and they want to keep costs down? But yeah, go buy a new wheel or even a whole new bike for that 3 day trip!
Bigger legs or internally geared hub.
[Shlumpf Mountain Drive ](https://www.schlumpf.ch/hp/schlumpf/faq.getriebe.engl.htm).
Not the most practical, but the most awesome
OP- One step at a time. Consider this rear derailleur hanger that works with track dropouts. You could use your existing rear QR to keep it in place and then get a cheap rear derrailleur and at least get a 1×10 or something to give you some range. You’ll need to decide if you want an inside frame or outside frame version and that’ll depend on how much space you have in your frame. Next issue is going to be if you have any cable guides for the rear derailler cable. If you don’t have any- you could opt to add some zip tie versions. Best part about this approach is that it’s all reversible- nothing needs to be pernament.
https://preview.redd.it/ycdcx5kodlcd1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a2d722788b42e0b1a381a0feda47325bba3f936d
[https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803909202058.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.37.3a1a218cj9Zlp1&algo_pvid=663fc281-998f-4b97-9232-4235a7c984a1&algo_exp_id=663fc281-998f-4b97-9232-4235a7c984a1-18&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%215.12%215.12%21%21%215.12%215.12%21%402101c59117210094314994831eded3%2112000028017349936%21sea%21US%21192077268%21&curPageLogUid=tJIclsKLl2Te&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803909202058.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.37.3a1a218cj9Zlp1&algo_pvid=663fc281-998f-4b97-9232-4235a7c984a1&algo_exp_id=663fc281-998f-4b97-9232-4235a7c984a1-18&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%215.12%215.12%21%21%215.12%215.12%21%402101c59117210094314994831eded3%2112000028017349936%21sea%21US%21192077268%21&curPageLogUid=tJIclsKLl2Te&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A)
Id just buy an old rigid MTB and do the basic wear part replacement and grease it up. They’re only a hundred bucks or so in my neck of the woods and most of them are 3x and have plenty of room for frame bags and or racks and panniers.