Essence of singlespeed...

[orange71]

Found this review while looking at reviews of singlespeed Surly frame. Reminded me of the 'Choose Life' speech from Trainspotting. Really captures something for me:

"Buy this frame and fork. Put parts on it. I don't care which ones you choose. Go out and ride it on the same trails your friends ride their Trek Fuel 90s and Santa Cruz Bullits. Pass them. Huck it off a rock. Land on the rubber side. Roll away. Watch as your friends replace derailleurs and shock bushings. Enjoy the relaxed seat tube angle and fat tires. Jump off of stuff when you feel like it. Climb a hill. Ride down. Get a drink. Get another drink. Ride in the mud. Ride over a bridge in the woods. Have too much fun. Create a relationship with your local bicycle shop. They know where the good trails are. Ride a singlespeed where others won't ride their $3000 Ti garage art. Mostly, have fun."

 

[letmetalktomark]

ACE!

 

[Sithlord]

Sums it all up ..

 

[alpinestar222]

Singlespeed

So true!
I'm building another one as soon as my latest geared project is finished.
After riding siglespeed all winter my leg strenth improved loads.
Managed to dip just under 6 hours in the Cheshire Cat sportive a few weeks ago, well chuffed!

 

[al]

Yep!

Wouldnt be without mine!

Al

 

[tommid]

I have a Surly 1x1 and that is so true.. Love it better than most the bikes i have had that I paid 5 or 6 times more for.

 

[beepbeep]

Wheelies and skids!!!

 

[mullett]

how do you manage up steep technical climbs if grips poor so you cant stand up, guess its a push job after a while unless you can get up with momentum or strength alone?

Im finally getting another bike this summer, probably a shiny new orange p7 or cove stiffee, but am gonna single speed my pace rc200. Trouble is most of the riding round here is steep and hilly and either very muddy peat or rocky paths/stream beds with poor grip on the climbs so i guess will be tough on a s/s. Im used to riding fixed on the road and have done for 20 plus years, but it'll be an adventure using just 1 gear off road. Kinda looking forward to giving it a try though, bike'll be light as a feather for once and is a 17" frame with me being 6 foot plus should be able to throw it round a bit

 

[clockwork davo]

single speed

AMEN

 

[guybe]

For the last few weeks, I was 50/50 doing a singlespeed bike for myself on reasonable budget but seeing your photo's and this topic got me thinking again! I guess the wallet will take some battering if I go ahead lol