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Possible replacements for the
New Singleator Chain Tensioner
New Singleator Chain Tensioner
---- Archived Product Data ----
SurlyNew Singleator Chain Tensioner
4.5
We're sorry, this product has been discontinued.
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Midwest single-speed legend Pete Geigle developed the 1x1 Singleator so you single-speed virgins could taste the pure mountain biking experience without spending too much cash. Installing horizontal dropouts on your frame can be difficult and/or expensive, particularly if your steed is of the aluminum variety. The Singleator mounts right up to your derailleur hanger and provides a simple, effective, and adjustable means of tensioning the excess chain slack found in vertical dropout single-speed drivetrains. The Singleator features a triple-sealed spring, large cog capacity, chain guides, fully-adjustable chain line, floating pulley, and a stainless steel pivot bushing. The main body is forged, so it's strong. We''ve gone with an 11-tooth pulley for smooth, quiet operation. And, it now works with both 1/8" (BMX) and 3/32" (geared bikes) chains. Beware impostors; the Singleator is the granddaddy and outperforms all others.
- Fully-adjustable chain line
- Stainless steel pivot bushing
- Triple-sealed spring, large cog capacity and chain guides
- Do not use with a coaster brake, fixed gear, multi-cog or multi ring drivetrains
Customer Questions
Q.
asked by: a guest
Hey. Nerdy question, what's the distance between the mounting bolt and the centre of the jockey wheel? Cheers man.
Hey. Nerdy question, what's the distance between the mounting bolt and the centre of the jockey wheel? Cheers man.
A.
anwered by: theofarnum
The product dimensions according to the manufacturer are:
19.69 x 12.7 x 6.99 cm;
length in inches: 7.75
The product dimensions according to the manufacturer are:
19.69 x 12.7 x 6.99 cm;
length in inches: 7.75
Q.
asked by: djj...@....com
What is a cone wrench and is it required?
What is a cone wrench and is it required?
A.
anwered by: brooksl
The cone wrench used for the Surly Singleator is an 18mm, used to tension the chain. It is required.
The cone wrench used for the Surly Singleator is an 18mm, used to tension the chain. It is required.
Q.
asked by: a guest
Does this come with a cone wrench?
Does this come with a cone wrench?
A.
anwered by: canteau
A cone wrench is not included with the Surly Singleator Chain Tensioner.
A cone wrench is not included with the Surly Singleator Chain Tensioner.
Q.
asked by: a guest
what is the use of a spring?
what is the use of a spring?
A.
anwered by: mlewis
The spring keeps the tension on the chain.
The spring keeps the tension on the chain.
Q.
asked by: a guest
To convert a full-sus frame to ss, would this take up enough chain slack?
To convert a full-sus frame to ss, would this take up enough chain slack?
A.
anwered by: a guest
If you're talking about going from a geared system to SS, without shortening the chain, then the answer would be "no". A chain tensioner like this one, takes up slack in the same way an eccentric bottom bracket or sliding dropout would. (Just a bit, to facilitate removing the wheel, for example.)
As to wether it'll work properly with a suspended rear end...I think that would depend on the path the wheel takes through its travel.
If you're talking about going from a geared system to SS, without shortening the chain, then the answer would be "no". A chain tensioner like this one, takes up slack in the same way an eccentric bottom bracket or sliding dropout would. (Just a bit, to facilitate removing the wheel, for example.)
As to wether it'll work properly with a suspended rear end...I think that would depend on the path the wheel takes through its travel.
Q.
asked by: a guest
can this work without replacing all of my gears/cogs/rings with a single gear and spacers?
can this work without replacing all of my gears/cogs/rings with a single gear and spacers?
A.
anwered by: canteau
Multi speed cassettes or freewheels have ramps on them so that the chain can move from one gear to another, single speed cogs have the same size teeth all the way around the cog which is going to reduce the risk of the chain coming off or skipping.
You may also find it difficult to get the chainline perfectly straight with the use of a multi speed gear set.
Multi speed cassettes or freewheels have ramps on them so that the chain can move from one gear to another, single speed cogs have the same size teeth all the way around the cog which is going to reduce the risk of the chain coming off or skipping.
You may also find it difficult to get the chainline perfectly straight with the use of a multi speed gear set.
Q.
asked by: a guest
Does this come with the push-up spring as well?
Does this come with the push-up spring as well?
A.
anwered by: smulder
Yup! This comes with both springs one for up and one for down.
Yup! This comes with both springs one for up and one for down.
Customer Reviews
3
April 23, 2012
reviewed by: fil...@gm...l.com
The Singelator is a much cheaper alternative to pricey eccentric hubs and bottom brackets.
What you give up is clean looks and some reliability. Setup is a little finnicky, although not horrible if you have cone wrenches and follow the directions. There's a fine line between too much and not enough tension, and you have to ensure the spring is installed correctly for your installation method (push vs pull).
It didn't work very well on my bike. Give the size cogs and amount of chain slack, I would have needed a half-link to get a chain short enough to use in push mode, where it wraps the chain further around the rear cog. Using pull-mode with that much slack resulted in skipping and needed frequent adjustment.
I assume that most people won't have this exact amount of chain slack, so it'll probably work better for them. Also, I could have changed the rear cog by a tooth and gotten it to wrap, if I didn't mind the gearing difference. As it was, I discovered that the 32:18 I was running was actually a "magic ratio" on my bike, and I have perfect chain tension without any device.
vote
vote5
July 01, 2010
reviewed by: killerrich
I needed to convert my Bianchi Osprey to a single-speed winter commuter, and this was exactly what I needed.
5
April 01, 2012
reviewed by: A Guest
It is what it is...works great and well built. You don't need the surly wrench, a park cone wrench works just fine to set the tension.
5
April 12, 2021
reviewed by: mat...@gm...l.com
The Singleator is a HUGE upgrade from the previous "house branded" chain tensioner from a now-closed big bike retailer. After 4 years I now have the quiet SS and super chain wrap I was always hoping for but never got no matter how many times I tweaked the alignment on the old tensioner.
Drivetrain: Shimano Zee crank, Singleator tensioner, Surly SS cog, GearClamp Single-speed conversion clamps instead of spacers. Generic 8s SRAM chain.
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