Having a go at singlespeeding

[bryan555]

A friend who rides for Singular Cycles (http://www.singularcycles.com) asked me if I wanted to join a team of 3 with him and another singular rider for the Muc Off 8 enduro (http://www.mucoff8.com). The deal was that Singular would provide a bike and I would ride it as fast as I could.

Of course I jumped at the chance, but my worries were that

1. I wouldn't be very good at riding a new fangled bike, having stuck with my Pace for the last 16 years
2. I wouldn't be able to get up the hills on a singlespeed
3. I would be embarrassingly slow
4. I would want a new fangled bike after riding one

Well, we were the fastest 3 man team, coming 10th overall! I've never been on a podium before and that muc-off will really come in handy, and I got a block of plastic with the Muc Off 8 logo laser etched inside it in 3D! Dead chuffed.

But now I have a little problem: worry no. 4 has come true! I want one! :?

But what now! Do I start trying out modern bikes to see what really suits me or just go for a beautiful singular swift (http://www.singularcycles.com/swift.html), which I know I love, and has a retro feel and not too many new fangled bits like suspension or gears? Or stick to my trusty Pace?

What do you think?

 

[hamster]

More bikes is always good

I find I ride my (tarted up 1999 Cindercone) rigid singlespeed most. It's light, fast and just plain fun.

 

[Jamiedyer]

SS

Go for the singular as you already know you like it. Maybe they will sell you one at a special price seen as how you 'podiumed' for them.
Well doen

Jamie

 

[Andy R]

Was Grant Taylor one of the other riders?

Go for the Swift I reckon - if it's half as nice as my Hummingbird it'll be excellent.

Gratuitous Singular photo from my ride yesterday

 

[ferrit]

mmmm Singular, so classy!

I love my Swift to bits but should get my backside in gear and get her finished. In my opinion they are the closest thing to a modern retrobike even with disc brakes and in the Swift's case clown wheels. Beautifully designed, constructed and finished I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with one.


Gratuitous Swift shot

Ohh just posted a link on the Ebay section for a medium for sale on fleabay

 

[bryan555]

Was Grant Taylor one of the other riders?

Go for the Swift I reckon - if it's half as nice as my Hummingbird it'll be excellent.

Gratuitous Singular photo from my ride yesterday

Yes, it was Grant Taylor, do you know him? Great guy, he stopped to help someone who had broken their ankle on one of his laps! He was riding his beautiful titanium Hummingbird.

 

[bryan555]

mmmm Singular, so classy!

I love my Swift to bits but should get my backside in gear and get her finished. In my opinion they are the closest thing to a modern retrobike even with disc brakes and in the Swift's case clown wheels. Beautifully designed, constructed and finished I don’t think anyone would be disappointed with one.


Gratuitous Swift shot

Ohh just posted a link on the Ebay section for a medium for sale on fleabay

Lovely swift you have there, get it finished!
The one on Ebay has far too many gears for me, I think I'm pretty sold on the whole singlespeed thing, and I don't think I need the bouncy bits on the front ether

 

[velomaniac]

Forgive me if I'm talking rubbish but dont Pace's have removeable dropouts and couldn't you get once trackend dropouts for Pace's. Cheapest option maybe and theres folk on here who could probably make a set if they cant be sourced.

 

[bryan555]

Forgive me if I'm talking rubbish but dont Pace's have removeable dropouts and couldn't you get once trackend dropouts for Pace's. Cheapest option maybe and theres folk on here who could probably make a set if they cant be sourced.

Very true, but as much as I love my Pace, it still scares the living daylights out of me when I really push it. I have also had it set up close to how it is now for 16 years, and would be sad to change it...

 

[Average Mark]

Just buy the Swift. 2 people have tried mine and both have been seriously tempted to buy one. After a couple of months have mine pretty dialled in now. Must get some updated pics of it.