“I never want to do that!” Ironically, I have uttered these words about multiple facets of mountain biking and somehow always end up “wanting to do that” over time. I used to think that singlespeeders were complete psychos, and to some extent, I still think that… like the guys who do endurance races on one gear, WTF?! However, when I had an extra hardtail frame laying around from last year, I was chomping at the bit to build it up into a SS. My frame isn’t a SS frame, but Surly makes a singlespeed kit. Another funny thing that I thought I would never want to do – 100 mile races, and now 50-100 miles is my specialty! :) Never say never.
I eventually would like to try an XC distance SS race, but that won’t happen anytime soon. So you are probably thinking, “why would someone want to ride a bike with just one gear when all this technology has been developed to give us 20 gears on a bike?” Admittedly, I like gears better, for now. However, singlespeeds are simple and a GREAT training tool.
-For one, they are much lighter because you don’t have a derailleur, cables, housing, or shifters on your bike. My friend was telling me the other day that his SS is 17 lbs and is lighter than his road bike (granted he has a heavy road bike!)
-You tend to have less issues with one gear as well – there are less things to get messed up, the elements don’t effect your drivetrain as much, you can’t bend your derailleur, your shifting won’t mess up unless you don’t have your chain tensioned properly. There is less to think about although I still find my thumbs ghost shifting where my shifters used to be.
-They are one hell of a full body workout. To get leverage, you have to stand and use your core and upper body and I’m looking forward to gaining that extra strength over time! However, it sucks when you’re tired, or when it’s loose!
-Singlespeeders DO walk, but the really good ones don’t walk quite so much!
-There is something badass about one speed
-I think SS is slower on the downhill because you can’t rage in the big ring. Either that, or you just just become one hell of a descender and don’t brake!
-SS = paying attention to momentum. It will make you a better, smoother, stronger rider
-It seems that rigid(no front fork suspension or rear for that matter) and 29 inch wheels (rigid SS 29er in bike lingo) is the craze. Why rigid? It is very efficient – most of your power goes into the bike and isn’t lost in the pivots or suspension. Why 29er? The big wheels keep your momentum going and can almost act as suspension. I have only ridden a 29er once, so I don’t know a whole lot about it. Is a rigid bumpy? Uhhh… yeah!!!
I’m far from being an expert on SS, these are just my initial impressions. Some people switch to singlespeed and get rid of their geared bike. It definitely has its own culture.
Tomorrow I’m racing the Bailey Hundo, and planning to use all 20 of my gears. :)
