Even more singlespeed questions. Help please

[PacMan]

So I've got almost all the parts I need to build up my SS. Now I have a question:

I have a frame with verticle drop-outs and I was going to buy a chain tensioner to just run it that way. I'm not to jazzed about the frame (Access frame, Performance brand) but I got it for $20 and it's in great shape.

I just saw the Zion 660 EBB frames on Jenson for $249. I have a vague idea about what the EBB is.

My question is: is it worth shelling out $250 for an EBB frame (I can afford the $250 so money really isn't an issue there) or should I just save my money, buy a tensioner and use the frame I have?

Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated.

[bjammin]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So I've got almost all the parts I need to build up my SS. Now I have a question:

I have a frame with verticle drop-outs and I was going to buy a chain tensioner to just run it that way. I'm not to jazzed about the frame (Access frame, Performance brand) but I got it for $20 and it's in great shape.

I just saw the Zion 660 EBB frames on Jenson for $249. I have a vague idea about what the EBB is.

My question is: is it worth shelling out $250 for an EBB frame (I can afford the $250 so money really isn't an issue there) or should I just save my money, buy a tensioner and use the frame I have?

Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated.

Hey Doug, I have the Zion 660 EBB frame and it is the best cycling related $250 I have ever spent.
While similar in weight to the Access frame, The ride of a double=butted cro-mo h-tail is butter.
The only issue I have with the frame is SUPER narrow chainstays(I'm running a Wtb -epicwolf w/ cut down side knobs 2.1)
You can take it for a ride before you make a decision.
Ben

[Chopper]

Are you getting any squeaks or creaking noise from your EBB? I'm thinking about going that route with my next frame but one of the things I like about SSing is the lack of noise from the bike. I have heard that EBB's tend to creak.

Just found this on MTBR

Why is the EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket) on my frame creaking?

Because it is a moving part in a very dirty, wet and generally mistreated area of the bike, Eccentric Bottom Brackets (EBBs) can develop creaks. Most are solved quite simply by removing the eccentric, cleaning it thoroughly and reinstalling it with a liberal amount of the proper grease for your frame material.

I wonder how often this has to be done?

[Abui]

Originally Posted by PacMan

So I've got almost all the parts I need to build up my SS. Now I have a question:

I have a frame with verticle drop-outs and I was going to buy a chain tensioner to just run it that way. I'm not to jazzed about the frame (Access frame, Performance brand) but I got it for $20 and it's in great shape.

I just saw the Zion 660 EBB frames on Jenson for $249. I have a vague idea about what the EBB is.

My question is: is it worth shelling out $250 for an EBB frame (I can afford the $250 so money really isn't an issue there) or should I just save my money, buy a tensioner and use the frame I have?

Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated.

The EBB is worth it, without a tensioner the bike just feels so much smoother. A tensioner adds drag, try spinning the cranks backward with and without a tensioner.

Originally Posted by bjammin

Hey Doug, I have the Zion 660 EBB frame and it is the best cycling related $250 I have ever spent.
While similar in weight to the Access frame, The ride of a double=butted cro-mo h-tail is butter.
The only issue I have with the frame is SUPER narrow chainstays(I'm running a Wtb -epicwolf w/ cut down side knobs 2.1)
You can take it for a ride before you make a decision.
Ben

Didn't know about the 660 stays. Here's my Zion 29er on EMPTYBEER.

Originally Posted by Chopper

Are you getting any squeaks or creaking noise from your EBB? I'm thinking about going that route with my next frame but one of the things I like about SSing is the lack of noise from the bike. I have heard that EBB's tend to creak.

EBB's don't tend to creak, but can if poorly set up as can any part. A tensioner tends to add noise. A dry chain even more so.

[Pho'dUp]

Chopper what kind of drops do you have now? Horizontal or Paragon sliding drops? Curious why you'd want to go to EBB? I'm looking at a new SS frames and have been leary of the EBB because you move the crank position when you tension the chain and I don't want to change my saddle/handlebar setup to account for the cranks.

I'm thinking of getting a White ENO hub/rear wheel so I can use any frame I want.

Originally Posted by Chopper

Are you getting any squeaks or creaking noise from your EBB? I'm thinking about going that route with my next frame but one of the things I like about SSing is the lack of noise from the bike. I have heard that EBB's tend to creak.

Just found this on MTBR

Why is the EBB (Eccentric Bottom Bracket) on my frame creaking?

Because it is a moving part in a very dirty, wet and generally mistreated area of the bike, Eccentric Bottom Brackets (EBBs) can develop creaks. Most are solved quite simply by removing the eccentric, cleaning it thoroughly and reinstalling it with a liberal amount of the proper grease for your frame material.

I wonder how often this has to be done?

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Chopper what kind of drops do you have now? Horizontal or Paragon sliding drops? Curious why you'd want to go to EBB? I'm looking at a new SS frames and have been leary of the EBB because you move the crank position when you tension the chain and I don't want to change my saddle/handlebar setup to account for the cranks.

I'm thinking of getting a White ENO hub/rear wheel so I can use any frame I want.

But you're stuck with using freewheels, limited choice, a fixed chainline, and their problems of removal. I use a freehub (even a standard cassette hub) and can slap on any cog and adjust the chainline with spacers when necessary.

Then there's the brake problem with the ENO, rim brakes have to be adjusted as the wheel position changes. Disc brakes? ENO was going to produce something but I didn't track it.

edit- With an EBB you can choose one of two positions that works, you can choose to ride higher or lower (rock garden or fireroad?)

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Chopper what kind of drops do you have now? Horizontal or Paragon sliding drops? Curious why you'd want to go to EBB? I'm looking at a new SS frames and have been leary of the EBB because you move the crank position when you tension the chain and I don't want to change my saddle/handlebar setup to account for the cranks.

I'm thinking of getting a White ENO hub/rear wheel so I can use any frame I want.

Right now I have a Kona Unit with the sliders on the dropouts. I am thinking of going to a 29" wheel and comparing frames. I like the Niner One Nine but, again, leary of the EBB. Since I've been pretty happy with my last two Kona Units, I may just opt for the Kona 2-9 frame. Steel is Real.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Chopper

Right now I have a Kona Unit with the sliders on the dropouts. I am thinking of going to a 29" wheel and comparing frames. I like the Niner One Nine but, again, leary of the EBB. Since I've been pretty happy with my last two Kona Units, I may just opt for the Kona 2-9 frame. Steel is Real.

My other bike is a Niner SIR.
Yes, Steel Is Real, so is aluminum but it doesn't rhyme.*



* borrowed quote

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by trekker

My other bike is a Niner SIR.
Yes, Steel Is Real, so is aluminum but it doesn't rhyme.*



* borrowed quote

Scandium is Dandium?

[dstepper]

I have owned sliding dropouts (Kona Unit) and current have EBB on my Niner One-9. They both work well but my nod does to the EBB. I had to rework (bigger bolts and locking washers) on the Unit dropouts to keep them from slipping. I have the EBB on my niner wrapped in telfon tape and it is dead quite. My weight of 220 was to much for a steel frame and it bounced when I spunout. Me I like the stiffness of the Scandium Frame. The different position of the cranks on EBB when you adjust chain tension is not noticable to me. My bottom bracket is low and a run 180mm cranks on the Niner so I keep the adjustment up high.

Dean

[Chopper]

Originally Posted by dstepper

I have owned sliding dropouts (Kona Unit) and current have EBB on my Niner One-9. They both work well but my nod does to the EBB. I had to rework (bigger bolts and locking washers) on the Unit dropouts to keep them from slipping. I have the EBB on my niner wrapped in telfon tape and it is dead quite. My weight of 220 was to much for a steel frame and it bounced when I spunout. Me I like the stiffness of the Scandium Frame. The different position of the cranks on EBB when you adjust chain tension is not noticable to me. My bottom bracket is low and a run 180mm cranks on the Niner so I keep the adjustment up high.

Dean

I am about two weeks away from ordering my new bike. Once I have made a final decision, I may want to ask you about that teflon tape thing. Did they do that for you at The Path? They will be building the bike so I can talk to them about it too.

PacMan - sorry about hijacking your thread.

[Pho'dUp]

Pacman, you know you can run without a tensioner too. With the right combo of gears or maybe using a BMX half link you don't need the tensioner. I've been running this way for years now. Other guys will use a dremel to modify they're dropouts to get a couple millimeters adjust the chain. Might not be a bad idea since the frame cost you only $20.

Without a tensioner, I guess I have to change change chains when they eventually get super stretched but that takes awhile and 8speed/BMX chains are pretty cheap.

Originally Posted by PacMan

So I've got almost all the parts I need to build up my SS. Now I have a question:

I have a frame with verticle drop-outs and I was going to buy a chain tensioner to just run it that way. I'm not to jazzed about the frame (Access frame, Performance brand) but I got it for $20 and it's in great shape.

I just saw the Zion 660 EBB frames on Jenson for $249. I have a vague idea about what the EBB is.

My question is: is it worth shelling out $250 for an EBB frame (I can afford the $250 so money really isn't an issue there) or should I just save my money, buy a tensioner and use the frame I have?

Any help/opinions are greatly appreciated.

[SAR_boats]

I know that it probably isn't worth it but Spicer cycles will retrofit an eccentric bottom bracket onto your steel or aluminum frame for $160. Just so you know.

Spicer is the only one that will do Aluminum and steel frames

[dstepper]

Did it myself. The first year I had no problems. On my Niner as time went on the set screw presure starts to deform the shell, causing a larger gap between the EBB and the shell. That started letting in dirt, especially when crossing streams causing creaks. Grease works but teflon tape worked better.

If I was to get another dedicated Single Speed frame I would look for one with a split shell EBB. Most likely meaning a custom built frame. Besides I have never owned a ti frame. Please don't let this sway you away from Niner it is a great bike.

Dean

Originally Posted by Chopper

I am about two weeks away from ordering my new bike. Once I have made a final decision, I may want to ask you about that teflon tape thing. Did they do that for you at The Path? They will be building the bike so I can talk to them about it too.

PacMan - sorry about hijacking your thread.

[tkblazer]

ouch, thats no bueno

[OMR]

Originally Posted by Chopper

I have heard that EBB's tend to creak.

I've had narry a whipper out of mine & I've been riding it for 6 months now. Really easy to adjust when you change out cogs or chain rings.

OMR.

[J_Sims]

Pacman... Is this going to be rigid or are you putting a shock on the ft??

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Pacman... Is this going to be rigid or are you putting a shock on the ft??

No rigids for me

I've got an '05 Marz MX Pro 105mm w/ ETA in great shape ready to go.

[J_Sims]

Very nice....