Pics to show how the bike transitioned...with chain tensioner / 46x18 with chain very taut / 50x19 with sag yet chain doesn't drop even if I lay it on its side. With the 26x1 tires = 24.5" wheel diameter multiplied by 50 t chainring divided by 19 t cog give me 64.47 inches - short of the 70 inch I would like. Anyway, all is good as this is better than with the tensioner.

That is certainly an acceptable amount of chain slack...That's about how much I run

Excellent!!

Certainly looks good...how much chain deflection do you get when you pull up in the middle of the chain? I had over an inch when I tried magic gearing my SS MTB, which is maybe a bit loose for off roadin'. If you get 1/2 to even 3/4 inch, you're probably OK.

But chain tensioners look cool...


Anywho, that is a sweet ride. And if you go to a 17t in the back it should bring you right to 70 gear inches.

I want one.:thumbsup:

I would try to get it to 70 if you can. I'm runnin about 68.5 right now and it's lower than I would like, but on the positive side, I'm getting use to spinning REALLY fast. My cadence seems to be increasing the more I ride. Spinning 100rpm isn't so bad any more, but on the downhills or when I'm going quick with the wind at my back, doing 24-25mph, that's something like 120+rpm which is hard to sustain with the long cranks.

Is that for mountain bike training? It's a unique build.

Is that for mountain bike training? It's a unique build.
It is actually an old rigid mountainbike that time has left behind (1 nch steerer, not suspension compensated fork, grease-guard pressed-in bottom bracket w/ square spindle). Since the advent of suspended mountainbikes, it was relegated to road duty with the 26x1 Specialized Turbos. It finally found its place as a single-speed.

It is actually an old rigid mountainbike that time has left behind (1 nch steerer, not suspension compensated fork, grease-guard pressed-in bottom bracket w/ square spindle). Since the advent of suspended mountainbikes, it was relegated to road duty with the 26x1 Specialized Turbos. It finally found its place as a single-speed.
Yeah, mountain bike technology gets outdated pretty quick and there's not much of a market for vintage mountain bike stuff. I recently had trouble selling rim brake only 26" wheels.

It certainly is slick looking. Not bad to have a Merlin lying around, eh?