Single speed, I just don't get it?

[Mr Footlong]

Hi folks

Pretty well as the title says, I can't get my head around the benefits of making all these single speed mountain bikes other that weight really. If I wanted single speed again I would just get a BMX :? . I couldn't cope without my gears as I like to be able to go up pretty well everything as fast as possible.

What I especially don't understand is all the expensive bikes/builds where they are running SS.

Could you fine chaps please enlighten me?

Cheers,

Nick .

 

[Jones]

Use the search and you'll find 50,000,000 posts all asking the same question ** might be a very slight exageration**

 

[IDB1]

I've yet to ride singlespeed but the appeal for me is. . .

1. I been wanting a BMX for a few years. At 6' tall and 43 years old (and 200lb), I reckon it'd be a bit of a daft idea. An SS MTB for me would satisfy my BMX lust.

2. I don't get on with gears, never have.

3. Less maintenance. Not renowned for my attention to routine maintenance, SS is less to have to fiddle with.

 

[markoc]

I'm starting afresh on the SS route, largely as it is a different challenge.

I could get all girly and start talking about stripping cycling back to its bare essentials without technology, extra weight etc but ultimately it is novelty value and a bit of a change.

I have a geared XC modern bike, and a DH toy arriving soon - so I won't use it everyday, but around here it is so unbelievably flat it makes sense. I guess it is just something different to pull out of the garage and have a Sunday morning pootle on.

 

[hamster]

It's made me fitter and stronger. My technique has improved. I am more determined and resist pain better.

Apart from that it's a waste of time.

I don't know, it's one of those "don't knock it until you've tried it" ones. It's definitely not for everyone, and depends hugely on where you live and what you ride.

I hate the smug git side of it, but it is fun outclimbing someone on a tricked out 27 speed full sus machine...

..but it is horses for courses! A long fast 27mph-ish downhill will leave a singlespeed for dead as you just can't pedal fast enough.

 

[MikeD]

it is so unbelievably flat it makes sense

Prepare for the possibility of mild disappointment - SS makes little sense if it's completely flat unless you run a huge gear. It makes little sense if it's really steep, unless you run a tiny gear. But pretty much everywhere in between, game on ;-)

 

[velomaniac]

Dont ask for an explanation, build one or borrow one and just go ride, you'll either find a positive or negative answer, the marmite question applied to bikes

 

[Pickle]

They are bonkers fun.

They make you fit.

They climb well.

They weigh nowt.

They handle great.

They make you smile.

They are the ones that always get chosen to ride even when you have a shed full of bikes.

They make sense.


I was a late convert.

I am now on my 3rd.

 

[phill77]

They make all your old familiar rides seem new again, you have to try really hard on the hills, but can't help but take it easy, recover and admire the scenary on the fast flat and downhill bits.

With no chain tensioner, mine is so silent.

Wouldn't spend a fortune on one though...

 

[djoptix]

All the above. Fixed is significantly smugger than SS too. Give it a go