Shortening chain to singlespeed

If you destroy your rear derailleur or hanger in a crash, one way of getting home under your own steam is to convert your bike to an impromptu singlespeed. This is much simpler on a hardtail than it is on a full suspension bike, as the chain length on most suspension bikes changes throughout the shock stroke. If you have to shorten the chain on a full suspension bike, then make sure you take account of the chain growth by compressing the shock as much as you can and watching to see whether or not the chain length you’ve chosen is long enough to accommodate it.

The first task is choosing a suitable gear. This is dependent on chainline as well as your fitness, and the best chance for success lies in choosing the middle chainring and the middle cassette sprocket (usually the third or fourth). Choose a random place in the chain and use the chain tool to separate the chain, as shown on page 32. Remember to leave the rivet sticking out of the back of the chain if you’re going to be using it to rejoin the chain. Unthread the chain from the rear derailleur and re-route it to pass through the front derailleur, around the chainring of choice and then around the cassette sprocket of choice, bypassing the broken rear derailleur altogether if it’s still on the frame. Match up the ends…

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Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques (Digital) - 1 Issue, Bike Maintenance Tips, Tricks & Techniques 3rd Edition

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