The Ultimate XC bike ?

[yo-eddy]

I think you can get used to a singlespeed, and enjoy it because it's simple and it doesn't need much maintenance.
As to whether it's all anyone ever needs, that's more debatable.
That doesn't mean everyone needs 27+ gears, of course.

nah, 14 is more than enough

 

[MikeD]

I like the Alfine hub a lot. You don't get the range of a Rohloff, but you get the gears that you need for 90-95% of the time - it's just the really low and really high ones that are missing. It's also much cheaper and you get a trigger shifter, which I prefer.

 

[barry2017]

nah, 14 is more than enough

Absolutely, my favourite bike has four.

 

[silverclaws]

I find, well, for my style of riding, 21 ratios more than enough, in fact I probably only use a fraction of those 21, it might be interesting for me to actually watch what ratios I am using. I am sure everyone has a favourite ratio, a gear selection they are most comfortable with, the terrain gets harder, you change down, but as soon as it gets better, I bet everyone tries to get into their favourite ratio. But, that's my thoughts, as I am happier cycling slower if it is more comfort to me, my favourite ratio. Bombing along, nah, the faster you move, the faster you have to think, and I can't be bothered thinking fast, too much like hard work when I am taking leisure.

Incidently, my ratios are not standard, when building the bike, well, taking the bits off I did'nt want and fitting bits I did want, I mixed the individual cogs of three cassettes, with emphasis on many teeth, for the hills around here. I will see how it goes, one does not know if they do not try.

Oh, there are some Rohloffs on fleabay, what a price tag !!!, hardly viable for most.

 

[Dr S]

I have settled n a 1x9 set up for a while now. 34 up front with a 12/32 on the back. Covers my riding speed and my local terrain perfectly. I like the concept of singlespeed- my work bike is SS, but I find it too much of a compromise in practice. I find myself spinning out constantly and I don't have the power in the steeper bits. A XC bike should be versatile and should be able to cover large areas of differing terrain, SS takes way too much of that versatiity for my liking.

Si

 

[perry]

im perfectly happy with what ive got at the moment for the riding im doing at the moment . if i was going to do many more miles than 30 id want a longer toptube , maybe a longer stem and raise the seat an inch

at the moment my gearing is fine , itl do 0-24.6 mph . i raced a hairdrier from the lights a couple days ago

yep im happy with my overweight rigid one gear . sure suspension and multi gears are ok if your into speed but i do it for the fun

i just thought of this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__PU5CVSegg

 

[nporternz]

if its muddy i prefer a cup of tea and feet up in front of the fire!

 

[MikeD]

I have settled n a 1x9 set up for a while now. 34 up front with a 12/32 on the back. Covers my riding speed and my local terrain perfectly.

The Alfine hub gives you about that. Actually slightly wider range, but fewer gears, so the gaps are quite big. You get used to it, though

 

[silverclaws]

I always thought this was kind of interesting, a downhill bike fitted with alfine

Found on the mtbr.com forums

 

[perry]

downhill bikes will be going with gboxx

i wouldnt mind trying a rigid bike with a gboxx , but of course nobody will be making one