Bike Check - Matt Jones' Marin Alcatraz

 Haha. This is clever and funny!

 I feel like I missed something???

 Considered the birthplace of mountain biking, Marin county is the place you’re most likely to get arrested for riding on the trails. I think. @stefanfresh:

 @Triber66: aha... that sucks, big time

 good one, comment of the day

 @employee7 , if your oval is centered properly, the slack and tight spots are not much different to those of round rings on SS setup . Also Absoluteblack rings have great N/W teeth design , that keeps the chain on at all times

 @samsquamsh: I guess if half the circumference was the same at all points of rotation it would work.

 yeah...this made my brain hurt

 @ccolagio: very interesting! You can see a video on the absolute black website that shows cranks spinning and chain tension remaining constant! Mind melting!

 Erm no not really. It’s a nice theoretical exercise. I have the Absolute Black 34t and I damaged a hanger mid ride on my ht. So had to shorten the chain and go singlespeed. Difference in tension is noticeable. You may possibly find a good middle ground but the oval on SS idea still cries for the answer to the question: WHY?!

 If you really need your chain length to remain constant you may want an additional fixed pulley to keep the top and lower half of the chain parallel. But if this works for him, why not. Just make sure you just enough slack and the narrow wide chainring will probably keep it on.

I've got an oval chainring too from Blackspire, 32t. But my steel hanger is not replaceable (so probably a bit tougher) and I don't run a clutch rear mech. Not sure if that matters much but I don't think I've damaged anything.

 @WAKIdesigns: I agree, on a typical SS maybe, but on a jump bike... just WHY!?

 @SonofBovril: to even out power delivery to the back wheel when pedalling?

 @WAKIdesigns: Sorry, I misinterpreted your post. No I haven't ridden it single speed (without tensioner). Still, if it works for Matt then great. I'm only going to ask WHY?! once someone mounts one of these to a gearbox bike. That's the far end of my tolerance to "ehrm, yeah, innovation and performance gains".

 32 teeth are 32 teeth, why would the chain length change if the ring is slightly ovalised?

 @b45her: If set up properly, the chain doesn't completely wrap the chain ring. Because of the symmetric shape, the chain still covers 16t if it covers half the chain ring. However, on a single speed setup the rear sprocket is often smaller hence the chain covers slightly more than those 16t. So depending on whether it has to cover two high spots of the ring or only one varies to amount of chain it needs. I didn't expect this to matter but according to WAKI it does.

Heck, if this wasn't clear already we really need a graphical interface here in the comment section or just refrain from anything remotely technical. There is only so much I can discuss with words only.

On a related note, in other discussions it seems like the comment section also needs a way to exchange physical violence. I frequently put my head between my laptop and slam it shut to completely experience the vibe going on, but it still isn't quite the same.

 b@45her - that would be true if rear cog would be as big as the chainring, but since he has 16t back his chain wrap around let’s say 16 abd 17 teeth of a 32t chainring depending on it’s location. Just put a chain on smallest sprocket on a cassette/ derailleur equipped bike and you’ll see the cage moving a little bit back and forth. The effect disappears when on largest sprocket. Difference is little but it exists and you just give yourself a bit of additional pain in the arse when setting up your SS, which I personally hate on bikes with non integrated tugs

 @vinay: actual lolz

 @employee7: if the circumference is the same at all points of rotation then it’s not oval :p

 @TheLongMan: if The Creator exists, he just got a seizure

 The chain should have the same tension with the oval in a vertical position as it will in its horizontal position.

 @TheLongMan: You're getting circumference and radius confused. You could have an identical circumference on both an oval and a circle, but the oval will have varying radii at a given point while the circle won't.

 @WAKIdesigns: He doesn't so he didn't.

 @bvd453: you talk like a preacher who is as certain that he exists as you are that he doesn’t... makes me think you both look at the problem in a wrong way...

 @WAKIdesigns: I'm not certain that a creator doesn't exist, but I'm certain there's no evidence one does. That's a major distinction.

 @bvd453: good. Existential angst is a fantastic thing

 Oval on single speed.....?

 @nojzilla: is it a single speed with an oval? I think more of a 1.5 speed.

 I don’t know how is it with you guys but I’m waiting for oval SS cogs. And then Oval cassettes...

 @WAKIdesigns: Still waiting for oval wheels to sort the wheel size debate once and for all.

 @vinay: yes that would be better than modern short travel bikes squeezing juices out of your local trails, since it would make them more bumpy...

 Did everyone missed the point that he decided to run this because he is used to it on his other rigs? It sounds to me that he just wants to get the same feeling, maybe it's even only psychological

 @vinay: 26" horizontally, 29" vertically, 25.7 somewhere in the middle to please everyone.

 @davidrobinsonphoto: with a 28.99 ratio?

 I mean it's still a bike. Subtleties in bb height, stay length, stack height, etc. I agree though, it probably took him a couple hours on his couch and three or four emails with the engineers.

 I’m running tubeless on my dirt jumper. Works like a dream, however I have stans wheels so.

 Harry Main is a muppet. He goes on about how he's too busy to clean his bikes properly but he finds time to paint his hardtail twice and make it look shit!

 @gavlaa: I knew that would annoy people. Nothing wrong with being a muppet as long as you're harmless. I'm not that au fait with him to decide either way. Just prefer alien puke fluo green to these graphics.

 I hope Harry starts doing some MTB comps soon.

 @cains08: I'm not sure he'll get very far right now.

 Do it and then race it at a laid back XC race... that's always a good time. Check the pinkbike buy/sell. I've had good luck finding things there and I never can justify buying a new DJ bike since I'll just trash it haha. Considering you are supposedly in Utah I'm sure you could find something for a reasonable price.

 Yeah I picked up a trek ticket frame for 250 in the classifieds. Do it!

 Get a bmx if you can't afford a DJ. It's more fun overall and you won't feel bad bashing it about

 Yeah if you're in Utah just scan KSL, I got a complete DJ for $125 on there!

 @taquitos: I have, but I’ve got to earn enough money first. But thanks! And I’ve been checking KSL.

 Probably doesn't want to spend money on dental surgery, teeth are XTR.