Simple Poll, Do you Own a Single Speed MTB

[JamesM]

Lots of people say SS wrecks your knees. Would I be right in thinking these are the people that stay sat in the saddle when the going gets tough? I've seen alot of SS riders who stay seated until they simply can't pedal anymore. Same on geared bike too if I think about it. I've always been a out of the saddle climber but even more so since riding SS.

 

[beavis]

I have one and love it, although it isnt retro. I don't really class it as a mountain bike either, more of an off-road recreational toy

 

[velomaniac]

Shouldn't wreck your knees if you get out the saddle as by that point your effectively walking which is what all folk can do without incident. You do need to haul on the bars though so weaklings like me find the upper body strength bit a challenge. When i started SS in about 96 there was still loads of debate about how best to do it and most SS bikes were home bodge specials. I've done everything wrong in both building and riding SS but I still do it its grrrrrrrreat as Tony the Tiger would say.
Does anyone remember an early internet site by Team Sheep, effectively a couple of blokes from the Channel Islands who went on about how great SS was and how to convert your bike, taught me useful build lessons that site such as using plastic plumbing pipe as spacers on the freehub
I keep thinking its time to stop this nonsense and return exclusively to gears but then I have a great ride on an SS or go to yet another great event like SSEC11 in Belgium and I get the bug again.
I'm doomed and my initials are SS as well

 

[JamesM]

and my initials are SS as well

Steve Smith?

 

[MikeD]

Every time I've had knee issues from riding it's been from winching big, heavy long-travel FS bikes up long climbs sat down (because you really don't want to stand up on one of those). Never from SS.

 

[andrewl]

Lots of people say SS wrecks your knees. Would I be right in thinking these are the people that stay sat in the saddle when the going gets tough? I've seen alot of SS riders who stay seated until they simply can't pedal anymore. Same on geared bike too if I think about it. I've always been a out of the saddle climber but even more so since riding SS.

Any rider with buggered knees from mountain biking almost always has an extremely poor pedalling action (or accident damage). Single speeding is no harder on the knees than any o0ther form of riding and some say there is actually a case for saying its better on the knees as it promotes a smooth spinning action when seated and a natural movement when standing.

 

[andrewl]

Short answer no. don't get it.

Simplicity in design, yes, great. But, surely by definition an all terrain bicyle was a bike that was designed to go as far as possible , both up and down hills,over mixed terrain before the rider would have to get off and push.

If a rider has to stop because mud and other trail debris clogs up gears then by the above definition its also not an all terrain bike either.

I can't comment of your trails, but single speeds under the right rider are capable of some seriously steep and technical climbs.

 

[Fudd]

Your description of an mtb almost seems to rule out most stuff we call retro. Are you sure your on the right site

I was under the impression single speed mtb's were a fairly new genre? I'm sure there were always a few people doing it over the years but its only in the last five or so years that certain manufacturers have taken notice and offered sliding dropout options on their frames.

Maybe this thread should be moved to the 97> section......

 

[andrewl]

I was under the impression single speed mtb's were a fairly new genre?

Purpose built single speed mountain frames (as we know them) have been available from a number of manufacturers since at least the mid 90s.

So it fits here

 

[fredgassit]

I started single speeding in the late 90's - raced in the Sports cat even winning a local race once. Ran most frames with a tensioner but eventually got a Dekerf.

Not been fit enough for a few years but will probably get an SS rear wheel for my Alfined Genesis.