Single speed? I don't get it! What's the point?
- Thread starter Kitmech
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MikeD
Senior Retro Guru
World Cup racers don't use singlespeeds. Ergo not faster 
I've often found them quite effective for endurance racing on the right course, mainly because of not having a big gear -- given gears I tend to blow myself to bits pushing the big ring on descents, take them away and it's cruise and recover. And then recover some more pushing up the climbs
I've often found them quite effective for endurance racing on the right course, mainly because of not having a big gear -- given gears I tend to blow myself to bits pushing the big ring on descents, take them away and it's cruise and recover. And then recover some more pushing up the climbs
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MikeD":2k3j3bjb said:Proper MTB rides don't usually involve much in the way of accelerating away from traffic lights
True, but then again there's not much offroading to be done here (apart from all the roadworks going on).
Still, acceleration from a standstill is the same on and off the road (apart from the grip level perhaps), so the basic principle still stands.
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
Tuh...
You need hills to appreciate SS. Flatland doesn't cut it. You can take all the advice, fit 32:16 and pedal around getting nowhere fast.
SS is for going up, fast, or going down, preferably down something steep. Flat land is the least enjoyable part of SS- a bit like cycling in general.
You need hills to appreciate SS. Flatland doesn't cut it. You can take all the advice, fit 32:16 and pedal around getting nowhere fast.
SS is for going up, fast, or going down, preferably down something steep. Flat land is the least enjoyable part of SS- a bit like cycling in general.
MikeD
Senior Retro Guru
Personally I try to keep moving off-road
SS is very agreeable on the right sort of trails. Woodsy singletrack's good because you'd use a middling gear anyway. They're pretty good on UK trail centre stuff too -- the climbs tend to be reasonably mellow to stop them washing away.
You're right, though, it's always going to be a compromise. Or, to put it another way, you're nearly always in the wrong gear
SS is very agreeable on the right sort of trails. Woodsy singletrack's good because you'd use a middling gear anyway. They're pretty good on UK trail centre stuff too -- the climbs tend to be reasonably mellow to stop them washing away.
You're right, though, it's always going to be a compromise. Or, to put it another way, you're nearly always in the wrong gear
suburbanreuben
Old School Grand Master
Yeah, but it isn't a gear you've just selected!MikeD":3ewfs425 said:Personally I try to keep moving off-road
You're right, though, it's always going to be a compromise. Or, to put it another way, you're nearly always in the wrong gear
I find I can clear technical climbs, SS, that I never could geared, possibly 'cos I'm thinking about the line, rather than what gear to be in.
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The thing I love about SS'ing is taking on climbs where you have no choice but to go for it. 100% commitment or fail, no other choices. It's all about getting your mind sorted and using body english to shift your weight around to keep the rear wheel gripping so you don't spin out or stall. The sceptics should try it, they may learn a thing or two.
I haven't got a clue why single speeds are popular but 2 people in my local bike group have gone single speed so on Friday I joined them and bought the ss alpinestars from on here.
First impressions are that I like the idea and the bars look simple but I haven't actually ridden it yet :roll:
First impressions are that I like the idea and the bars look simple but I haven't actually ridden it yet :roll:
