single speed mountain biking for off season training?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MD
Posts: 773
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
single speed mountain biking for off season training?
While looking for something new to do this off season, I came across this article by Chris Carmichael recommending the use of a ss mtb for resistance training.
https://www.roadcycling.com/cgi-bin/a...view.cgi/4/915
Have any of you good folks tried this? I can borrow my buddy's conversion, and it sounds like a nice way to stay out of a gym.
I'm thinking my 42x17 fixed gear and ss mtb as my primary off season load...
Thx.
https://www.roadcycling.com/cgi-bin/a...view.cgi/4/915
Have any of you good folks tried this? I can borrow my buddy's conversion, and it sounds like a nice way to stay out of a gym.
I'm thinking my 42x17 fixed gear and ss mtb as my primary off season load...
Thx.
#2
Mitcholo
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Oost Vlaanderen in mind, Cleveland in body
Posts: 8,850
Bikes: 2010 Mitcholo w/ Sram Force/Red
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's awesome exercise. In Cleveland, we've got an indoor MTB park, and Saturday was the opening day. I borrowed my friends 15" Giant STP SS, and it's great for that. The only problem is that the gear ratio you think might work is going to be too steep. a 26x16 was too tall for me on everything except for down"hills", I couldn't even climb the smallest "hills" with it.
Then again, the bike is a DJ bike, and it's more like a BMX bike than an XC. What kind of bike will you be using and where?
Then again, the bike is a DJ bike, and it's more like a BMX bike than an XC. What kind of bike will you be using and where?
#3
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i havent read the article but ive been training and racing on a single speed (42x18) cross bike for like 6 weeks now and I have already noticed some improvements in my pedal stroke, power and overall fitness.
#4
Super Biker
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 1,183
Bikes: 2014 Curtlo, 2006 Serotta Coeur d’Acier, 2005 Independent Fabrication Steel Delux, 2003 Surly 1x1, 2003 Surly Cross Check, 1986 Schwin Worldsport SS commuter, 1980's Mongoose Supergoose
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
SSing is my plan for this winter. There's nothing like a single speed to build strength, power, and core muscles. The only drawback for me is the toll it takes on my poor knees.
#5
Cat3.*....Cat2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 2,171
Bikes: A lot.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought a single speed 29er a few months ago for my first mountain bike. Its kinda cheap, but heavy as hell (28lbs10oz) Right now I am running 33x16, which is a 60inch gear for the 29er wheels, which is good for the climbs if you have a little goat in ya, but it kinda sucks on the downhills. Its a fun and good way to keep your endurance up.
#6
Making a kilometer blurry
I converted my main MTB to SS because it's so fun. It's not much slower than geared, and you'll surprise the hell out of some people out on the trails.
#7
Mr. Dopolina
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
I used to do fixed gear training every winter for all the reasons described above. I had an old Merckx frame I converted. it was beautiful.
we have a new velodrome in the city I live so I plan to get back on the track in the next few weeks. Wee Haaaw!
we have a new velodrome in the city I live so I plan to get back on the track in the next few weeks. Wee Haaaw!
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MD
Posts: 773
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It'll be an old Specialized something or another (don't know too much about these bikes) with an ENO hub. I guess I'll be tooling around the mountain bike trails we have around Boston. Gearing is 33 x 18. We have the Fells, Blue Hills, and Lynn Woods just a short hop from the city.
#9
Making a kilometer blurry
I love my ENO eccentric hubs (one road and one MTB). Very cool looking, and I can turn any bike in to a single speed
#10
Cat3.*....Cat2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Livonia, MI
Posts: 2,171
Bikes: A lot.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've raced mine in a normal geared class for my first MTB race ever, and finished 5th in sport class. Thing climbs just fine. In one of my races which had a decent size climb as the finish, I passed 3 geared bikes on the climb that passed me on the slightly downhill section right before the finish..
#11
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i pass tons of geared bikes when im on my single. i think part of the reason is you dont have much choice in what speed you are going to go so you end up just riding faster. I think I end up doing better in some races because I dont have any bail out gears.
#12
Making a kilometer blurry
Yeah, and it tempers your judgement on steep sections. Rather than considering dumping to the small ring, risking a chain drop, then failing anyway, you just get off at high speed CX style, run up the hill, and remount. You can run up a steep climb much faster than you can ride.
There's also the efficiency. I think that a geared drivetrain averages around 5% power loss, and SS/fixed is 1% to 2%.
There's also the efficiency. I think that a geared drivetrain averages around 5% power loss, and SS/fixed is 1% to 2%.
#14
Making a kilometer blurry
No such animals here in Austin though. I can beat all my geared friends up the longest local climb: The Hill of Life (1/2 mile at 14%, technical/rocky ledges, 3-5 dabs). On the flats, I can peak at 205 rpm, and cruise at over 130 rpm, so I'm ok, but a little slower than the geared guys. I'm working a 32-18 most of the time.
#15
Oh The Huge Manatee
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: mabra
Posts: 4,528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i ride a 42x18 and i recently was in a race with lots of long steep fireroads and it was just too much. It looked painful watching the geared guys ride up but just walking up killed my calves so i dont know what hurt more.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 7,481
Bikes: Too many to list!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Outside is soooooooooooooo much more fun than inside. Go for it - you will not regret it for a second.
... Brad
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Philthy, PA
Posts: 129
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I commute fixed (39x18 - get those legs spinning) and ride SSMTB all winter. My MTB rides are so short that I don't get good endurance training but it does wonders for pure leg strength.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Me too. Haven't touched my road bike for 3 weeks. Don't really plan to for at least another month. Just been riding my SSCX (knobbies and freewheel on the weekend, slicks and fixed cog for commuting). Loving it.
#20
Resident Alien
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Location, location.
Posts: 13,089
Mentioned: 158 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 349 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
6 Posts
A regular MTB bike, provided the terrain is challenging, will give you plenty of resistance. And riding a fixed on the road will do the same thing.
BTW, if you're going to go zombie thread, make sure the OP link works or start a new thread.
BTW, if you're going to go zombie thread, make sure the OP link works or start a new thread.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 419
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i don't have MTB, but I do plan on hitting the trails on my CX bike when it's too cold out to ride on the road which hopefully won't be too often