SDW on a single speed!

[Olliepen]

I cycled past the South Downs Way - Winchester to Eastbourne BHF cycle ride on Saturday. I take my hat of to these guys as it is a hardcore event, especially on a hot day like Saturday.

But I was even more impressed when I saw one of the guys at the front of the pack running a fully rigid single speed! - HARDCORE!!!!

There must be something in this and I feel that I have to have a go - can any of you single speed gurus recomend a good gear ratio and a simple conversion kit for a bike with vertical drop outs?

 

[ededwards]

'Standard' ss gearing is 2:1, typically 32/16, but this varies with how strong you are, terrain etc. and can be limited by what freewheels are readily/cheaply available. However if you are using a cassette hub with a tensioner then freewheel availability is not an issue.

I'd suggest starting with 2:1, see how you get on and then vary from there.

 

[LongboardSi]

there's loads of conversion kits out there - get something adjustable which allows you to get the chainline right, and if you want to play around with ratios then a sprung tensioner seems like a good idea.

Most people suggest starting with a 2:1 ratio (like 32t chainring with a 16t sprocket), but if you are going for endurance stuff I'd go a fair bit lower. Apparently the guy who just the SDW both ways in under 24hr used 32:21.

I've used 30:17 for Strathpuffer 24hr, and that was about right for me (but I wasn't ashamed to walk a few bits, especially through the 6" deep mud)

If you want to do the endurance stuff I really like singelspeed 'cause you need to pace yourself and picking a low gear stops you going out too hard early on.

Si F

 

[toby_g]

My single speed Giant is currntly set up at 42:15. This is because I am using it for tootling around town (with slicks). Off road there is no way I could turn the cranks on any sort of incline, so have to drop to a 2:1 ratio if I want to head off road (I use 34:17). Going downhill is all about freewheeling, no way you can pedal fast enough with a 2:1 ratio. Heck even on the 2.8:1 road setup I can't pedal fast enough on the downs.

 

[Russell]

I started my inbred with 32/16 but its really too big for the hills round here and as a result, the bike doesn't get ridden much. I'll be dropping it soon to get more use out of the bike.

Like others have said, experiment a bit and see what suits your terrain/riding style.

 

[LongboardSi]

my next incarnation will run 32:18, with a 19t in reserve.

the 30:17 combo works quite well in real hills (like round sheffield) but is still a touch high on a couple of occasions. 32:18 is very nearly the same gear (tiny faction lower) but will be on a proper SS chainring etc.

To start with you may be able to butcher a cassette for cogs, but be careful running these, or cheap pressed steel cogs on a posh hub with an alloy freehub body. the good cogs have a wider base so they don't bite into the splines as much.

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/ is probably a good starting point for conversion stuff and general advice and pointers.

Si F

 

[toby_g]

I have bought a few pieces from Charlie the Bikemonger. Nice fast delivery and got a sticker and pack of Haribo in my last order

 

[Andy R]

I started out running 32:16 on my '88 Explosif but soon came to the conclusion that round here 32:18 worked better. I hardly have to do any road work in a typical 3 or 4 hour ride so the "spinniness" isn't really an issue for me.

I also ride a '94 (I think?) Explosif singlespeed and have run it 32:18 for the last month, however I fitted a 19T sprocket today which (praise the Lord !!) gives perfect chain tension with NO tensioner. Ideal :!: - so that's what I'll be running on that bike from now on.
I was going to try 32:20 anyway - the difference isn't worth worrying about.
I'm using a Surly Sprocket and a Wheels Manufacturing spacer set (both from Charlie the Bikemonger) and a DMR 32T Chainring (£4.00 ebay bargain). Chain is a KMC Z610HX (3/32" - don't bother using 1/8th chain, it's no stronger and it's heavier).
The Surly Singleator tensioner is a nice bit of kit and can be configured to push up or down (and it's quiet too).
Until you know what gearing suits you you can use your existing middle ring (if it's in decent condition) and just buy the spacer set and cheap sprockets like the Gusset ones (4 or 5 quid).

I can't recommend singlespeeding enough - I hardly ever ride my geared bike now (RM Blizzard) and I think the only place that I'm appreciably slower is on tarmac (and I don't care about that, cos I don't like riding there anyway....). On lots of of-road climbs I find I'm actually faster because, instead of just changing down and spinning up you have no alternative but to dig in and try and maintain momentum.
OK - there'll always be sections that are just unridable on a SS but you'll be surprised how few and far between they are on a typical ride. And no - I don't live somewhere like Norfolk, we do have hills here

And the silence and lighter weight is lovely too

Just go for it !!- I can guarantee that you'll enjoy it more than you thought possible

Apologies to those who have seen it before - I lurve this bike so much Here it is 32:19 and no tensioner. Yes !!!

 

[Olliepen]

I'M Converted - thats it!!!

I'm off to the powder coaters now, and I'm single speed all the way.

Andy - that is a sick looking bike!

 

[velomaniac]

As I type this I am about to start a weekend tour of Scottish borders on my Specialized Stumpjumper single speed. Best gear ratio for this and most SS applications is 2:1 and i find a more attacking riding position also helps. Wide bars for hauling on and long cranks are also useful such as 175-180mm to give good leverage.

I'm thinking that soon I may reduce my fleet to one SS and one geared as SS covers so many areas.

Have fun