Converting my Hardtail Mountain Bike to a Single Speed

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2025

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  • @davidperry7266
    @davidperry7266 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

    I've been riding a single speed trail bike for the last three years and I love it. It's really funny seeing the looks of horror on some peoples faces when they see the set up.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Haha it’s definitely a conversation starter! 😜

    • @kbd13-n9c
      @kbd13-n9c 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      It’s even more fun when you pass people with gears on climbs 😂

  • @karlkrause6679
    @karlkrause6679 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Single speed hardtails with flat pedals are like Fender Jazzmasters: absolutely fun, definitely its own vibe, not at all mainstream, usually not the only guitar/bike in your arsenal, but for the people who get it, it's just fantastic.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Fun fact: this is my only bike 😅😜

    • @karlkrause6679
      @karlkrause6679 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife I said "usually" 😜

  • @jmmk7609
    @jmmk7609 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Love this! Tried SS this last fall on my Nukeproof Scout with a tensioner, and I am hooked. Currently running 32 oval by 21, here in Louisville, KY area. Seems about perfect for our trails. SS has been a revelation for me and is such a zen experience with the bike.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Nice! I'm still on my first gear ratio, which I admit feels pretty great most of the time. I'm not sure if I can try something a tiny bit taller (like a round 30t chainring), but time will tell!

  • @Alex-gk5py
    @Alex-gk5py 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I have been dabbling in single speed for a while now and just finished building up a single speed rigid and boy is it fun.
    My full sus and 12sp hardtail are just collecting dust👍

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agreed - and having fun is basically the whole reason why I haven't tried full sus yet - I'm too busy having fun on my hardtail! 😜

  • @warrenhansen2143
    @warrenhansen2143 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Glad you’re giving SS a try Steve and for 6 months too! I built a SS a couple of years ago and the uptake was slow (rode it once a month). I realized that the bike was a XC frame and didn’t like riding it downhill on our trails (even with gears). I switch to the Honzo and mulleted it with 2.8”, and it has been my 2x week go to! Looking forward to our next HT ride and maybe SS’s will outnumber gears? 11:59 😂 Dare to dream, dare to dream…

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yeah, Warren! You are one of the reasons why I'm single speed curious! I was laughing about the fact that I know 5 single speed hardtail mountain bikers, which is probably a significant portion of them on the BC coast! 😂

  • @nicks2716
    @nicks2716 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Well this is an interesting experiment Steve. I’m really looking forward to your honest assessments both along the way and at the end of 6 months. Good luck!

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks! If you have questions or aspects you'd want me to touch on, please feel free to let me know! 🙏

    • @nicks2716
      @nicks2716 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife well, the obvious one for me is “how much does the single gear limit your riding?” For example, there will be times when the single gear on the ups will be too big; and there will be times on the downs where it’s too small to engage. Does the simplicity outweigh these drawbacks? For all but a few with the right mindset, I’d suspect not. But again, really looking forward to learning about your own experience as you progress with the setup.

    • @outsider1733
      @outsider1733 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife I'm interested to see how singlespeeding is on really long epic rides.

  • @christopherbrahan1794
    @christopherbrahan1794 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Single speed is amazing. You will start to learn so much more about technique, pedal placement, and conservation of momentum. I am currently 10 months in on a singlespeed and it took me 5 months to truly understand what makes singlespeed so great. As a bikepacker I have found singlespeed bikes to be the most reliable bikes ever and can get through any terrain a geared bike can go through. I currently run a dinglespeed currently and its a great compromise for the variable conditions of spring trails in Maine. Snow, ice and mud? run a 30-26. Smooth gravel and pavement 34-22. Also max the tire clearance on your bike. Plus tires and singlespeed go together like pb and j.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for your insights! I was thinking about switching the 28 oval chainring to a round 30 soon.

  • @JustJake77
    @JustJake77 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    Single speed on a Hardtail... This is the way.... I approve of this.

  • @falllinemaniac
    @falllinemaniac 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    When I started it was a 32x20 on my Nimble9. I have a DVO Sapphire that I doubt I'll ever trade for a rigid fork
    I found there are three actual speeds, seated pedaling, standing pedaling and pushing.
    If you can stick it out through the pain it becomes more bearable but you can discover torque you didn't know is possible. Tapping into this beyond redline effort will develop strength such that you drop the groups on long climbs without even realizing it with 12 speeds

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That’s awesome, thanks for the inspo!

  • @Xgecko66
    @Xgecko66 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I switched to single speed on my hardtail last summer. I’ve been chasing gearing as much because I’ve been improving my fitness as I am trying to insure my knees and ankles aren’t abused. It’s a balance between spinning out on the flats and blowing up your knees trying to climb or make a technical section while having a cadence that you can maintain trail speed and flow. My current choice is 30/18 and I spin out at about 18mph which is enough for me. The biggest advantage is weight loss, it’s easier to pump the trail and use all its features to maintain trail speed when you don’t have 2 lbs of unnecessary drivetrain weighing down the rear wheel. I spend very little time actually in the saddle, more like hovering, which means I haven’t worn a chamois in months….my core and my quads,are suddenly more part of my rides. I’ve been running a Surly tensioner because allows me to adjust for a lot of different chain lengths but the MRP Q5 is on my list once I settle on one gear

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I’m finding that I’m spending a lot less time in the saddle too! I’ve only just started, but the 28/22 is pretty close (unless I get stronger) to what I need in the trails I climb and ride. It sucks in the city though 😅

    • @Xgecko66
      @Xgecko66 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife not sure what your cranks are but I found shifting from 170mm to 165mm cranks required my to drop from 30/19 to 30/18.

  • @christianharriot1578
    @christianharriot1578 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Completely agree with all that was said. I have loved my GT Peace sines the day I got it. I dust most of my riding buddies on climbs. With only one gear, I fly up hill to keep my cadence optimal. I find traction where others spin out in too low of a gear.
    Overall, I love the feel of not having squish and slop in my bike. I feel the trail and my body reacts accordingly. Not quite zen, but on that vibe.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Nice! Andrew tells me that, often as the lone single speeder, I can't be last on either the climb or the descent. 😂

  • @anthonyharris483
    @anthonyharris483 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Converted my steel Voodoo Bizango to a drop bar single speed. I love it with drop bars for the different hand positions and the Reynolds 853 steel is comfy

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Drop bars! That’s something I haven’t ridden in a long while! Do you ride in the trails with that setup?

  • @AbrahamBarberi
    @AbrahamBarberi 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great video! I started riding a single-speed last year, and I love it. I have noticed that I can climb much better and have gotten faster than my buddies. The reason I am faster is that you have to get momentum in order to make the climbs.
    You are going to love it. Got a new follower. Keep up the excellent work.
    By the way, after watching your video and seeing how you converted your bike without adjustable dropouts or tensioners, I'm going to convert my FS to a single speed.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That's awesome, thank you! I'm looking forward to working at it and potentially getting faster as you've suggested!

    • @warrenhansen2143
      @warrenhansen2143 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I was going to try converting my FS to a single speed but needed factor chain growth along the axle path. I know that the MRP Steve is using is fixed so doesn't allow for compensation for chain growth so beware that you may snap your chain on a hard landing. Depending on your linkage, a tensioner (ie old derailleur) may be a better solution.

  • @tinycmo
    @tinycmo 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Been 90% ss. Love it. No maintenance. I park my vehicle in sketchy area and have my bike locked on back. Airborne hardball with decent rocks hocks and about 150$ in it. Never been stolen, and always ready to party. Every ride is a workout, and for a busy dad with small windows of time..perfect.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Just flying under the radar there! Nice to hear another fellow dad making it work with kid schedules. 🤘

  • @sethchapman8001
    @sethchapman8001 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As a lifetime single speed rider, BMX to road/commute, I fully support this experiment. I have owned and ridden multi speed, i even know how to maintain and adjust derailleurs. But when riding them I find myself not shifting as much would be optimum. Almost more than anything I love the look of single speed. Even better the look of steel frame track bike with no brakes, but I like using brakes too much to go without.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Haha good call on the brakes! 😜

  • @ronarmstrong835
    @ronarmstrong835 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My interest in this was looking into setting up a winter bike.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Sure, a single speed hardtail is a good winter bike, but it also happens to be a great all-the-time bike too 😜

  • @madtownangler
    @madtownangler 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    My first single speed that I bought it that way was also a Redline Monocog

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I’ve never even heard of them prior to this… they sound like a gateway drug 😂

  • @lesraconteurs6969
    @lesraconteurs6969 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’ve been riding a single speed Trek District (Carbon Drive) on the road and rail trails for 10+ years. I wore out the BB, freehub and now the pedal bearings…
    I only get dropped if there is a flat and people decide to blast at 25mph…. That’s when I’m spun out.
    Thinking about converting an old Zaskar X beater I have :)

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If the only place you're get dropped is the flats, then you're doing pretty good 🙌

  • @roryennis96943
    @roryennis96943 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Single speed needs to be tried, it’s so freeing and amazing. So pure

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Agreed, 100%

  • @josiahmontgomery4860
    @josiahmontgomery4860 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    As soon as i saw the Bianchi SASS, I put one on layaway. So good but I turned it into a rigid mullet eventually. Nowadays I only have 2 Gary Fisher RIGs which need some parts, and a Spec Crave SL, my go to

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I had to Google each one of those bikes to get a visual 😜

  • @charliebrookes86
    @charliebrookes86 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My tyaughton ss has a 130mm fork on it. And I love it so much with a shorter travel fork. I would recommend it on your bike

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I’d be down to try it! What are the benefits that you’re finding over something like a 150mm?

  • @clipless03
    @clipless03 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I’ve been reading Andrew’s stuff for years (my favorite bike scribe!)….. this not what I imagined him sounding like. I’ll have to update my internal voice when reading his articles.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Haha I've been telling him that we need author narrated articles for ages 😂

  • @threeohm
    @threeohm 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice work Steve. Looking forward to hear what you think about life on The Path of The One True Gear.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Haha, stay tuned!

  • @charliebrookes86
    @charliebrookes86 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My tyaughton ss I went with a 28 oval 18t in the back. And it’s the unicorn gear. No chain tension device needed.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That’s awesome! But that ratio won’t work for me here, sadly. I hope the next Tyaughton has sliding dropouts! 🤞

  • @danwebber9494
    @danwebber9494 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I just sold my front suspension aluminum single speed so I can build up my new Stooge fully rigid steel single speed. I’ve had a SS in my quiver for 25 years now.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Just curious: where does it go after rigid single speed? 🤔😜

    • @danwebber9494
      @danwebber9494 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife fixed gear mountain! I’ve done it, but I don’t recommend it.

  • @augmented2nd666
    @augmented2nd666 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    For alot of the trails near me I cant imagine riding a single speed, too much steep climbing where it literally wont work unless you throw a 50 tooth rear cog on there if that even exists. And I'm a pretty strong pedaler, I come from riding skatepark BMX for a couple decades and the commute to the Parksville skatepark from North Qualicum was well over an hour each direction with plenty of very steep hills, and I refused to running a light gearing for my BMX because in the skatepark I prefer the 66.6 gear ratio that a 30 tooth sprocket with a 9 tooth driver gives me, just more top speed in the park, unfortunately where I moved to in Nanaimo has so much steep hills I just drive to the park now as it turned into mostly walking the hills here, which is what somewhat drove me to riding Mountainbikes in general, as I discovered I needed gears to climb around here, but I didnt want to lose having a hard gear for having torque when I need it at higher speeds without spinning the pedals on a downhill, half crank acceleration is important to me when riding faster. Cheers for covering single speed, I do have single speed on my P3 obviously for the dirt jumps, although its bairly getting any love these days as I just never gelled with dirt jumps even on BMX, just always loved ramps and ledges/rails.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      One of the things Andrew said to me right off the bat, is that single speeding isn't for everyone or for every situation. I'm only a couple weeks in, but I'm finding that I have to lean into the compromises instead of fighting them. Luckily for me, the trails here on the North Shore are totally climbable (or walkable) with the 28/22 that I have on right now. On the descents, if the speeds exceed what I can pedal, I just focus on trying to maintain as much speed as I can. 😊

    • @augmented2nd666
      @augmented2nd666 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife Heck yeah, I bet single speed is pretty fun at a bike park or if you have buddies to shuttle you and whatnot too. I just find for where I'm at (Westwood Lake, Mt. Benson, Nanaimo) theres far too much brutal climbing to use single speed in the mountains, I mean I could maybe drop the P3 to a 15t rear instead of the 13 I put on it and climb a little, but then i'd be pedaling air on descents which isnt really for me, I like pedal pressure like when riding brakeless with a cassette on BMX. Cheers, hope to ride North Shore at some point if soon, gotta secure some affordable accommodations that let the bike inside too, I'd like to bring the BMX to the indoor park too, looks super fun.

    • @warrenhansen2143
      @warrenhansen2143 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I ride the Doumont Trails with my Honzo on 30x22 gearing and it’s perfect. I even raced SS in the Island Cup there too and it was pretty fun! Benson trails with a SS might be less fun. What a SS ride without a little type 2 fun?

    • @augmented2nd666
      @augmented2nd666 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@warrenhansen2143 Doumont has a pretty nice access road to the top where you can mostly just gravity ride down with the odd mini climb depending which trails you pick. Pretty fun trails up there except it get super busy on summer weekends, I tend to just hide out behind Westwood lake in the unlisted trails where theres far less people. Oh I imagine the Cinnabar trails would be pretty decent on single speed, I really enjoy "Up and Over" which is full of little rolls and drops like a mountain bike skatepark. Although if I remember correctly, "Voodoo" is pretty steep in spots, might have too much of a grade for that gear ratio, luckily there are access roads just beside it that get you out there anyways a little easier then you can enjoy the rest of the things.

  • @madtownangler
    @madtownangler 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I have Singulators? On all my single speeds. It helps to keep the chain tight on the bikes that are not quite perfect for being a single speed

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I just learned something new today! I did know about using an old derailleur as a solution, but I was trying my best to stay away from something I can hit while riding through gnarly, tight areas.

  • @MTB_Corbin
    @MTB_Corbin 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Hardtail ✅
    Steel ✅
    Single Speed ✅
    STEVE IS A LEGEND

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You can be one too! 😜

  • @peterhaworth6859
    @peterhaworth6859 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Brilliant video with really informative viewpoints, good luck Steve.. and when are you going to be riding a chromag? You know you want to😜😂

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      If you look at the geometry numbers, I’m basically riding one already 😜

  • @lightningshredder5605
    @lightningshredder5605 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My first modern mtb was the kona unit rigid single speed. Now it has a 120mm yari fork and its perfect.
    I also have a steel enduro fs bike I also run single speed.
    I dont know if I want a rigid bike again I enjoy that you can go that much faster with suspension. But it is also of course about skill. I have seen another youtuber ride the shit out if his rigid single speed 29er klunkinbike!

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Andrew Major (the one who inspired and helped with my single speed conversion) is also one of those who rides the shit out of his rigid single speed. It's truly inspirational. For now, I'd like to keep my suspension fork. 😜

  • @kris8165
    @kris8165 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    All my bikes (2) are single speed! For road I use aluminum fixed gear frame (but I ride it single speed,not fixed gear) and for the off road,I use either 34/14 or 36/16 gear ratios! My 29er is a budget built,and the chainstays are 135x10mm with a vertical dropout!
    Despite that, I managed to build me a true and true single speed bike, with a NARROW WIDE chainrings 😅
    Yep,no chain tensioner 😎
    I don't use gears for years now... I also never owned a car,like never even though I'm not exactly young anymore 😅
    Greetings from the everyday bicycle abuser from Croatia, called Kris 😎

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      No chain tensioner? That's awesome! We'd like to ride in Croatia one day!

    • @kris8165
      @kris8165 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife No chain tensioner!
      I gut lucky I guess! 😁
      You are welcome to come over to Croatia 😎

  • @madtownangler
    @madtownangler 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I don't ride very many hills so most of my bikes except for a fat bike and one regular bike are single speeds. I can't go as fast with them but I mostly just ride to work and back anyways all year even in the winter

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I imagine clean up and maintenance just to be that much simpler! 🙌

  • @shawnpritchard366
    @shawnpritchard366 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Izumi jet black and silver track chains are indestructible.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks for the tip!

  • @Rabago12627
    @Rabago12627 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’m inspired! I have a rigid Surly Krampus I’d like to make a SS. Is Andrew running a dropper post on his rigid SS?

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That’s awesome! And yes, Andrew runs a dropper.

  • @mountaincruiser817
    @mountaincruiser817 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have a question, does Andrew use a dropperpost on his rig?

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yes he does, and it sounds like it’s key.

  • @pluskitos
    @pluskitos 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You dont need this filter it just takes aways from the brightness

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Noted - thanks for sharing!

  • @KatherineCrosbie
    @KatherineCrosbie 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thinking about what bike to buy to ride in the Lower Mainland after riding hard tail on single track in Mexico. Will probably ride more in the Fraser Valley than the north shore. No plans to do jumps but would like to be able to ride fairly steep rocky trails and drops. So hard tail or full squish? Not thinking single speed yet!

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hardtail. (Do you know which channel you’re on? 😜)

  • @CookingwithCorrado
    @CookingwithCorrado 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Simplicity with some modern tech that dosent take away from that old school riding experience is rad.I don't agree with a full sus bike being more efficient compared to a hardtail or full rig bike, especially when putting power to the ground.

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There must be a reason why all pros ride full sus, but for the rest of us, I believe single-speed hardtails are the most fun 😜

  • @ulysses-101-
    @ulysses-101- 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    So sick

  • @oreocarlton3343
    @oreocarlton3343 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    SS will make you a better rider, youll see how it will train you to keep the speed in the corners, it trains against overbreaking

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      So true: conserving momentum is key because I can’t add speed by pedalling anymore! 😜

  • @deanhargett
    @deanhargett 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I’m left questioning my life choices. Simplify! Go Steve! Can’t wait to hear how it goes

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Haha thanks, I think? 😁 I will report back in a few months!

  • @grabslide
    @grabslide 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Difference is that you walk with your bike uphill

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There’s been some walking for sure!

    • @jojonoel289
      @jojonoel289 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😄😉👍🏽 exactly

  • @Matt-i5u
    @Matt-i5u 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    IF IT'S HARD TO CLIMB JUST WALK 👍👍

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Always an option ✌️

  • @teenoltae
    @teenoltae 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Eccentric bottom bracket is the best ..

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I asked Andrew about it and there’s some opinions on that. Maybe I should dive into that a bit more 🤔

  • @thetechrealist
    @thetechrealist 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This is like eating glue & saying it tastes great...

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That's certainly one opinion! 😜

  • @adventure_scapes5039
    @adventure_scapes5039 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I might be crazy but I would've gone 3x1 48-38-28 18t

    • @HardtailLife
      @HardtailLife  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes, but can it be done with a clean rear end?

    • @adventure_scapes5039
      @adventure_scapes5039 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@HardtailLife not sure what you mean but I'm guessing clean without a chain tensioner? no, I don't think so..