02-21-2018, 07:05 PM
I'm going to the bike show on sunday! I'll be at the randonneurs ontario booth trying to promote our kind of long distance cycling.
A lot of bikes at the 8 speed level have riveted rings that aren't replaceable so I'd check on that before looking into buying a chainring as you might need a whole new crank. 1x started off big with MTBs which bounce around a lot more and hence the chain is more prone to slide off the sides. Clutch derailleurs also help with that problem, but if the bike isn't bouncing off logs and potholes all the time I think one can get away using a normal ring. It's also possible to buy regular rings that don't have ramps and pins (the shifting aids) but they aren't 1x specific. I think Black Arrow Cycles sells the surly brand stainless steel rings but they might be only for fixed gears that run 1/8" (wide) chain. Most derailleur chain is 3/32" or narrower with 10 speeds and above.
A lot of bikes at the 8 speed level have riveted rings that aren't replaceable so I'd check on that before looking into buying a chainring as you might need a whole new crank. 1x started off big with MTBs which bounce around a lot more and hence the chain is more prone to slide off the sides. Clutch derailleurs also help with that problem, but if the bike isn't bouncing off logs and potholes all the time I think one can get away using a normal ring. It's also possible to buy regular rings that don't have ramps and pins (the shifting aids) but they aren't 1x specific. I think Black Arrow Cycles sells the surly brand stainless steel rings but they might be only for fixed gears that run 1/8" (wide) chain. Most derailleur chain is 3/32" or narrower with 10 speeds and above.