[JohnStonebarger]

So I built up a single speed using a Surly "Singleator" for chain tension. How big a P.I.A. will that make it to change to a different size cog?

Assuming I break the chain long enough to accomodate the largest cog I expect to use, will it be too loose when I run a cog two or three teeth smaller? What gear range do you need for racing?

Now that it's built I'm wondering... do I need to keep different lengths of chain around?

 

[pretender]

If it's only a tooth or two difference, you can get by with the same chain. If you want a wider gear range, maybe swap both the chainring and the cog?

 

[JohnStonebarger]

Great idea -- I hadn't even thought of that.
Having never raced with fewer than nine cogs I have to wonder -- how much of a range should I expect to need?

 

[wibly wobly]

You could alternatively run a DOS Freewheel from White Industries. I have one and that's what I'm planning on doing this fall. Just pop the chain on whichever cog seems the better choice given the terrain and conditions.

White Industries

 

[pretender]

Great idea -- I hadn't even thought of that.
Having never raced with fewer than nine cogs I have to wonder -- how much of a range should I expect to need?

Here's my take atmo: The appeal of singlespeed is the simplicity, so just find a gear that works over "most" conditions, and stick with it.

I know there are guys that custom-tune the gear to the race, and I suppose there's some merit to that, but there's also the risk of something going wrong because you were messing with it a half hour before your race.

 

[sscx]

I'm able to run a 16t for commuting and for races I switch wheels with a 19t cog. The chain tensioner is able to accomodate 3t range