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Post by dgaddis1 on Nov 11, 2007 19:43:33 GMT -5
I use to think riding a single speed mountain bike was a terrible idea...but then the more I thought about it the more I wanted to try it. And I figured if nothing else it'll get me in better shape quicker. So, Fri. night I converted my 27 speed full suspension bike into a single speed full suspension bike. I'm running a 34/18 gear combo. The weight savings is great, I've lost over a pound already and once I get the tool needed to remove the cassette it'll be even better. And the bike is so quiet now, the only sound is the tires on the dirt, and me breathing really hard on the climbs...
Tried it out for the first time today at FATS on Deep Step...I figure if I can ride it on Deep Step everything else in the area should be no problem. Definitely felt the burn!! BUT...I set a new personal record tonight, I took 5 minutes off my previous best time. So, I'm gonna stick with it for a while. If I get tired of it I can always put the gears back on.
What's everyone else's thoughts on single speeds? And of the nay sayers, who's actually tried it out?
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Post by driftwood on Nov 11, 2007 21:09:02 GMT -5
Never tried it, but it sounds like a 'fun' thing to do. I've been brainstorming other weight saving ideas, combining that with being more hard-core, and this is what I've come up with:
Take the tires off and ride on the rims...rubber is way heavy
Take off about 1/3 of the spokes, if you're not too heavy
Brakes...who needs them when you can just stick your shoe on your back tire to slow down? Just extra weight
Seat...with a single speed you'll be standing up a lot putting your weight on those pedals, but don't forget to take the seat post off too...
Handlebars, trim them down to about a foot...you don't need space on them for anything but your hands and light, if you take the brakes and shifter off anyway....
pedals...trim them down to just the horizontal bolts, and just wear thick-soled tennis shoes (which are needed for braking anyway)
Thanks for the inspiration Dustin!
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Post by seenvic on Nov 11, 2007 21:38:54 GMT -5
Steel hardtail single speed is the weapon of choice at FATS. It is perfect for it. All the hills are climbable, some will work ya, but they are climbable.
The SS teaches you to hold your momentum and stay off your brakes.
You are right on about the weight savings. It's huge. Troy's 21ish pound 29er SS is just about the sickest thing around.
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Post by drewjordan on Nov 12, 2007 7:04:02 GMT -5
I couldn't agree with you more. It's more of a spiritual experience  when on a SS. It's just you and the trail. No gears clanking and no suspension making noise. Since you don't hear the bike, you hear the woods a lot more...Branches falling, wind coming through the leaves, widlife rustling around, and gunshots off in the distance ;D. Seriously though, anyone that hasn't tried a SS should give it a go. You can convert an old bike for a few pennies and a new one isn't that expensive either (around $5 hundo on average). I've been playing around with a full rigid SS for a little over a year now. I started with a Redline Monocog 26", just got the Redline Flight 29er a few months back and I'm absolutely loving it! Perfect for FATS! |
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Post by Angela on Nov 12, 2007 21:12:55 GMT -5
For some of us that spiritual experience would be that white light you hear about when some people are near death .....since our hearts would be nearly pounding out of our chest and our lungs would be coming out our throat! Hard to hear those wonderful sounds if your heart is pounding in your ears and all you can hear is your own heavy breathing  Loved Driftwoods bike lightening tips!! I do admire the folks who chose to ride SS!! |
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Post by seenvic on Nov 13, 2007 8:41:39 GMT -5
Funny thing is.....I've never heard someone that has ridden a SS really find it a bad idea in general.
Some locations are not SS friendly for sure. But not here.
I've heard many comments about how nutty SS'g is....but only from people that have never thrown a leg over one.
All that said, it took me longer than most to acquire a flavor for the SS. FATS is what did it for me, I think.
Now I look at the SSers riding in Pisgah and think that is a little over the top. But perhaps I need to take my own advice and try it!
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Post by ted on Nov 13, 2007 10:49:33 GMT -5
There was a "Black Sheep" sighting in Pisgah this weekend. Funny thing though, I had to keep looking behind me to see it.  |
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Post by seenvic on Nov 13, 2007 12:24:09 GMT -5
There was a "Black Sheep" sighting in Pisgah this weekend. Funny thing though, I had to keep looking behind me to see it. Thread derailment..... How was the Swank 65? Did you all finish? Details and war stories are what we want. |
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Post by OopsFellDown on Nov 14, 2007 16:54:57 GMT -5
Now take it to the next level: Single Speed, Fixed Gear! I didnt know there was such a thing until I saw them race at the Georgia Single Speed Championship Race last March at Ft. Yargo (great event if you are into single speeds).
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Post by wooglin on Nov 14, 2007 17:28:25 GMT -5
Now I look at the SSers riding in Pisgah and think that is a little over the top. But perhaps I need to take my own advice and try it! Words to live by.... |
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Post by quiver on Nov 16, 2007 16:39:12 GMT -5
I'm getting a new full suspension bike here pretty soon... and looking to turn my current hardtail into a SS'ed.
What this the best gear to use? Will mostly be riding FATS and Lick Fork with it...
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Post by seenvic on Nov 16, 2007 16:56:36 GMT -5
2-1 gear ratio works good for a 26" wheel bike.
So that would 34-17, or 32-16.
Something around there.
29" wheels would be different.
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Post by ted on Nov 16, 2007 20:22:01 GMT -5
2-1 gear ratio works good for a 26" wheel bike. So that would 34-17, or 32-16. Something around there. 29" wheels would be different. 2:1 is the standard to go by. If you don't mind and have the power to push a big gear uphill, go for this. If you're the "spinner" type you may want to look at 32/18 or 34/19. This will allow you to push up the hills a little easier. What's left are all flats and downhills and this will help enhance your technical skills in order to gain more speed. I like to use the best aspects from both the SS and geared world; "The Dingle Speed". Mine consists of a 32T and 36T chainring with a 18t cog on the back with shifting done up front with a standard front derr. This gives me a little easier gear for the uphills and a little harder gear for the flats and downhills. Just food for thought. I like to give the subculture an opportunity to become even more unique. The "Flavor of the month" cyclist really bores me.  I'm such a non-conformist, I'm not going to conform to your non-conformity. |
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Post by flyingbison on Nov 16, 2007 23:46:09 GMT -5
I think you go to the pre-derailleur set-up...one small cog on each side of the back wheel. You just have to jump off and flip the wheel....  |
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Post by ted on Nov 17, 2007 8:46:49 GMT -5
I think you go to the pre-derailleur set-up...one small cog on each side of the back wheel. You just have to jump off and flip the wheel.... Pre-derr set up? You mean like back in the day. It sure is a hassle to stop and flip your wheel every time. You also need a frame with sliding dropouts, a wheel that has freewheel threads on both sides, and usually have to adjust your brake pads or disc brake caliper. Why not just push a button? Why not just ride a singlespeed and not worry about anything at all except keeping momentum? Just because it has one gear doesn't mean the bike becomes less complicated. Just ask "The Black Moth". Mountain out of a mole hill if I ever saw one.  I may be mis-understanding you. Please help me.  |
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Post by ted on Nov 18, 2007 6:07:24 GMT -5
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Post by proximity on Nov 18, 2007 8:12:57 GMT -5
It is fun reading all of this. Fats was the beginning of a single speed for several of my friends who rode with Vic and some others...they are die hard fans now..With me , in order to keep momentum, you need good handling skills and nerve, I have neither, so I will keep working with gears and brakes till I finally learn how to handle a bike!
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Post by flyingbison on Nov 19, 2007 17:50:58 GMT -5
Just an off-the-wall tongue in cheek comment...
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when on a SS. It's just you and the trail. No gears clanking and no suspension making noise. Since you don't hear the bike, you hear the woods a lot more...Branches falling, wind coming through the leaves, widlife rustling around, and gunshots off in the distance ;D. Seriously though, anyone that hasn't tried a SS should give it a go. You can convert an old bike for a few pennies and a new one isn't that expensive either (around $5 hundo on average). I've been playing around with a full rigid SS for a little over a year now. I started with a Redline Monocog 26", just got the Redline Flight 29er a few months back and I'm absolutely loving it! Perfect for FATS! 
