Mountain Biking - singlespeed

do any of you guys have a single speed Mt bike? or have ever used one?

Im thinking about building a singlespeed mt bike, is there anything I should know, other than semi-horizontel drop-outs? :D

I don't have one and don't really have an interest in one EXCEPT possibly for a djers or urban bike.

Semi-horizontal dropouts?...huh. If you really want info there is a singlespeed forum here to discuss that kind of thing.

I have a Cannondale 1fg with the rigid frame, and I absolutely love it. It has really made me a better rider by teaching me how to spin and power over things that I didn't think that I would normally be able to ride over.

You might find it addictive once you give it a try. I did.

The simplicty and challenge are what attracted me to it. The
fun I had is why I keep doing it.

i ride a SS converted specialized hard rock from the early 90s. it has short semi-horiz drops. i also converted it to a threadless headset.

SS's arent for everyone. just check ebay theres buttloads of SS mtbs people probably bought on a whim, tried taking them offroad, and couldnt do it, so they list them on ebay to try to recoup their losses. bunch of sissies.

its not easy, but once you get good theres no better feeling after a ride and thinking to yourself that you just conquered all those killer climbs on ONE FREAKING SPEED!!! oh ya and passing multi-geared riders feels even better.

PLUS the most expensive multispeed drivetrain out there doesnt feel as solid and smooth as a SS drivetrain does. (discluding the rohloff, i have no experience with it)

if you cant tell, im all about singlespeeds!

PS-the best way to train for riding a SS is on a fixed gear, so get them both :) youll be happier in the long run after you throw those derailluers in the trash

I had a bunch of parts laying around, so I bought one of those steel frames from Nashbar. They were down to $35.00 and I figured I couldn't loose. I love my SS! I hammer the climbs, I fly down the descents. You never have to worry if you're in the right gear, because you are! The ONLY gear!

I am fortunate enough where I found (and by shear coincindence) have a 2:1 ratio and a tight chain, so I don't have to use a chain tensioner. There is a website somewhere that if you measure the center-to-center of your chainstay, you can get the size chainring and cog so you don't need to run one.

L8R

I have a singlespeed, and it's a converted Manitou HardTail with vertical dropouts. Since I couldn't come up with a cog/ring ratio I liked that would cinch the chain snug, I use a Surly Singleator to tension the chain. The Singleator mounts on the derailleur hanger and adjusts to any chainline width.

If you are just getting ready to build one up, so maybe going the "spare parts" route, etc... I recommend you consider mounting wider bars than you used to run.

I recommend you consider mounting wider bars than you used to run.

Excellent advice. It's suprising how much more upper body you use when you
can't sit and spin up a climb.

i agree the wider bars give much appreciated leverage. i used to ride singlespeed a lot but recently i find myself on my geared bike more due to some of the new trails i have ventured on where i wouldn't feel quite as comfortable with a SS. but SSing sure is fun.

SS's are cool.....i just took a cram-load of links out of my chain and picked a good grear. YOu dojnt have to worry about EVER breaking a derailleur :p ....but im back to gears...i find it opens up alot more fields of fun