Single Speed.... convince me please

[Grannygrinder]

One is best

I have both sorts.I love single speed but it takes a while to perfect the gearing to suit your strength,cadence and stamina. Once perfected you can ride anything! Give it a go but keep all the bits just in case!!

 

[Wold Ranger]

SS

I went for a 15 mile spin on my developing SS last night, on reflection a few surpising thoughts! First reaction Boredom! After 40 years of fiddling with gears to suit the terrain, it seemed werd just riding along and not being able to up the Tempo or effort other than on the hills and freewheeling down or tweak the gears! I'm running 36:16 which is high for an MTB and will change prob to a 36:17. The light weight means instant response and ability to power up hills. The Silence! But that can add a bit to the boredom! On the whole I enjoyed the experience and had it not been a total deluge tonight, another foray would have been on the cards! Should add that the fact its a Zaskar LE does add to the enjoyment!

 

[ridevintagemtb]

My $.02 FWIW: Singlespeeds are an excuse to go slow and be different.




That being said, I own a ss and like to go slow sometimes.



Sometimes

 

[Harryburgundy]

Re: Ratio

Thanks for the reply bro, its just I'm setting up my own SS and having a fairly flat rides option locally(or mega hills if I choose ) I wondered what ratio U were running. I found 2:1 a bit low so am currently running 36:16 but thats maybe a bit high so may split it with 36:17. I've SS'd a Zaskar LE Team Edition so could be in big trouble now!

WR, if your rides are fairly flat I'm not surprised you got bored with those ratios. Most of my rides are fairly flat..moderate hills. I ride 38/16 which just about suits me fine. My much fitter mate gets up some very steep stuff on the same ratio.
Happy riding, HB

 

[letmetalktomark]

I’ve ridden single speed for a couple of years now on the road (48 x 16).

I recently set up my Kili as a singlespeed for off road with a 32 x 16 arrangement and then a 32 x 15 arrangement.

Unfortunately this only lasted a couple of weeks as the majority of my rides require riding to.

The 32 x 15 arrangement was too low for any distance on road and to be honest I found that riding off road the gearing was still to low and my knees burnt! ( Mrs LMTTM is a physio so that’s not a problem)

Waffle over I now have reverted back to gears for off road.

 

[Wold Ranger]

Ratios

I would agree to a point for any distance off road, its only really useful on flattish fire roads. I'm running 36x17 at the mo and its ok for hacking about the country lanes on, but even on flat but rough/grass tracks its a bit high.I think something like a 12:23 road Cassette with a short cage mech on a single 36 front would save a fair bit of weight and simplify things , but still give a reasonable ratio. My current thoughts are to run some slicks and keep the SS as a Winter hack to keep the fitness up?

 

[utahdog2003]

My 32-16 is perfect for the tight twisty singletrack of my local trail, but for pure speed you'd surely want something else...

 

[mullett]

so for steep hilly muddy rocky highland tracks it'll be a waste of time then i guess

Looks like the pace might be staying with gears ....

 

[Wold Ranger]

Gears?

Nah just run it 24 up front and 34 out back, U'll get up anything and take all day about it?

 

[mullett]

Nah just run it 24 up front and 34 out back, U'll get up anything and take all day about it? Very Happy Wink Wink

problem solved, cheers matey