chain tensioners

[mattb]

I'm about to begin the process of turning my old hardtail into a SS without trying to drop too much cash. They're vertical dropouts, and I will be using it off road. What SS parts will I need to buy and what is ok to use that's already there? Unramped front chainring? Chain tensioner? Rear cassette/cog/spacers/etc.? I don't necessarily want to use the old deraileur as a tensioner since one of the main reasons for this little project is that I'm tired of blowing up my deraileur and/or hanger all the time. So the less I have hanging off the rear of the bike the better. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[bdee]

You most likely don't need a rampless ring - I ran ramped rings for a long time w/no issues. As long as the chainline is straight you're all set. Pillage some spacers and cogs from an old cassette - or cut some very straight PVC of the correct diameter. I'd use the old derailluer if you want to keep it cheap. If it's a shortcage you'll never really have to worry - even a longer rear der. gets stretched enough to where you don't worry about it. If not get a Surly Singleator or a Rollenlager (sp?) neither of which is super cheap though. You might want a bashguard as well.

The big $$ option is to get a White eccentric hub, ENO FW, ENO cranks and a new BB. Honestly you wouldn't really notice a big difference riding - the biggest diff would be how much freer a FW spins as opposed to a freehub.

Good luck and have fun with the build / rides.