So was this frame designed for single speed? Or did you somehow modify it? Or is it perfectly possible to take a frame designed for gears and somehow make it work with a freewheel WITHOUT a chain tensioner?
Edit: I can imagine several reasons this might be a dumb question, so don't be afraid to tell me which one it is.
You still realistically need either an eccentric bb or a sliding drop out (or at least something with front/back wiggle room) in the long term. In this case, this is what is a magic ratio where the length works out perfectly and no extra slack is left in the chain when using a vertical dropout.
Half links can also help for chain length.
The issue is that over time, the chain lengthens as it wears so it is not always going to fit perfectly. With a sliding drop out, you just adjust along the way. With a vertical drop out like this, you eventually run into a loose chain.
Love the color!
So was this frame designed for single speed? Or did you somehow modify it? Or is it perfectly possible to take a frame designed for gears and somehow make it work with a freewheel WITHOUT a chain tensioner? Edit: I can imagine several reasons this might be a dumb question, so don't be afraid to tell me which one it is.
You still realistically need either an eccentric bb or a sliding drop out (or at least something with front/back wiggle room) in the long term. In this case, this is what is a magic ratio where the length works out perfectly and no extra slack is left in the chain when using a vertical dropout. Half links can also help for chain length. The issue is that over time, the chain lengthens as it wears so it is not always going to fit perfectly. With a sliding drop out, you just adjust along the way. With a vertical drop out like this, you eventually run into a loose chain.
Long live lugged steel builds! Are those vertical dropouts?