Saracen lovers, at question for you...

[unocogero]

Here are some pictures of the build so far...Can't match the dandelions though

I think I'm starting to fall in love with early Saracens. It seems really nicely made and would probably make a really fun singletrack plaything...

Hmmm, another bike in the garage?

 

[Dead Rats]

I'm using a Gusset Batchelor. I suppose it might be geared one day but probably not.

Your build, which looks great, is my intended end product.

I think the frame is butted as it does the ping thing and it is no way near as heavy as the Fire Mountain!

cheers - same tensioner as me then (spooky)!

I've used one before and liked it so when I saw another s/hand one for a fiver on STW I snapped it up sharpish. One thing though, I did have to use 2mm worth of 10mm washers between the main body of the tensioner and the frame (dropout and hanger) to get roller in correct place (unlike with a DMR STS which you can just bend carefully into shape). That's with a 107mm BB. And no matter what combo of rings (middle or outer size) or cog (16 or 18 only to be honest) I have never managed to get a Gusset to work pushing the chain up - even with a half link... hence, mine shown pulling chain down on the Backtrax.

Here's a Gusset on my Marin - this one needed more like 3mm of spacers (I really should treat it to a narrower BB!):

 

[Dead Rats]

nice.. will you be running the ring on outside or middle position?

 

[unocogero]

No, I've always had to push down as well using the Gusset.

So how does the chain line up on the Hardtrax with the 122mm spindle. Is the cog central within the rear cassette area?

I think I'll go 110mm at the moment.

 

[unocogero]

I was thinking middle position, 32t.

 

[Dead Rats]

No, I've always had to push down as well using the Gusset.

So how does the chain line up on the Hardtrax with the 122mm spindle. Is the cog central within the rear cassette area?

I think I'll go 110mm at the moment.

no I used a 107mm cos I was running ring in outer position (the bike's geared 42/18 as it's mainly a pub bike)

 

[unocogero]

So, frantically visualising, 110mm sounds like the best bet... :? :?

 

[Dead Rats]

hmmm, dunno now - will your ring will be mounted in the middle position, if so it'll be 5mm further inboard than mine meaning in theory your BB should be 10mm longer than mine to have cog in same place :? :? :?

also the spacers that come with Gusset's only give you two positions to choose from. I'm lucky enough to have a stack of tired oid cup & cone BBs to try (as well as narrower spacers for more cog position possibilities) before I buy a nice new cartridge one!

 

[Dead Rats]

ps, sometimes, you just can't beat getting the ring in a nice position (with 'correct' BB ie whatever works) then putting a flat metre long bar (like a spirit level) flat onto the ring to show you best cog position. I find if you do things the other way round and base ring position (ie BB length) on your cog position, you have to do chainline calculations.

but then I always make life complicated

 

[Dead Rats]

pps, the probable reason I have to use spacers other than the Gusset ones with my Bachelor is that I've fitted both mine to 7 speed freehubs - the spacers I think are deigned for 8/9 speed width.