Rejuvenator
04-29-09, 07:04 AM
Thinking about picking up a SS cross bike. Am I a little nuts?
Cyclocross - So--how many of you race cross single-speed?
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Cynikal
04-29-09, 09:32 AM
I will race SS next season if there is enough time between SS class and Masters 35. SS CX is a bunch of fun. I use mine on local trails often.
flargle
04-29-09, 12:31 PM
Of all cycling disciplines you give up the least to gearies in cyclocross. It also saves you a lot of mechanical hassle. The sloppier it gets, the better it is to have a singlespeed.
I started racing cross on a singlespeed, but now run geared. But I race singlespeed mtb.
The key to being competitive is:
1) have a strong engine
2) choose the right gear (some guys choose their gear based on pre-riding the course)
3) be a good runner
If you haven't read Tarik's article, he's pretty much spot-on:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlecross.html
I started racing cross on a singlespeed, but now run geared. But I race singlespeed mtb.
The key to being competitive is:
1) have a strong engine
2) choose the right gear (some guys choose their gear based on pre-riding the course)
3) be a good runner
If you haven't read Tarik's article, he's pretty much spot-on:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlecross.html
TimJ
04-29-09, 12:40 PM
I raced cx last season for the first time and it was SS.
It's great. If I race geared at all this season I'll definitely go with a snigle ring up front. There seems to be little advantage a wide gear range would give you for the races I did. There were a few spots where a higher gear would have been helpful and a few spots where a lower gear would be, but overall I wasn't missing out. It's kind of moot anyway since I was racing in the ss class.
There's nothing nuts about it at all, it makes a lot of sense and is fun.
It's great. If I race geared at all this season I'll definitely go with a snigle ring up front. There seems to be little advantage a wide gear range would give you for the races I did. There were a few spots where a higher gear would have been helpful and a few spots where a lower gear would be, but overall I wasn't missing out. It's kind of moot anyway since I was racing in the ss class.
There's nothing nuts about it at all, it makes a lot of sense and is fun.
axcxnj
04-29-09, 01:08 PM
38:16 here, i did my first season of cx this past year and got hooked, i went from DFL to mid pack by the end of the season and had an awesome time...next years goal is to get top 10
funurdiesel
04-29-09, 01:24 PM
I do.
ZeroG
04-30-09, 01:54 AM
Interesting thread. I have lurking for some time and am seriously thinking to dive in the SSCX. Are there any other links or sites you guys with a little more experience might be able to recommend? Or mind describing your SSCX rides or providing pics?
Many thanks in advance.
Many thanks in advance.
Andy_K
04-30-09, 03:37 PM
http://pdxcross.com/2008/11/10/sscxwc08-saturday-photo-slideshow/
http://pdxcross.com/2008/11/11/sscxwc08-sunday-photo-slideshow/
http://pdxcross.com/2008/11/11/sscxwc08-sunday-photo-slideshow/
Psydotek
05-01-09, 05:27 PM
I'm planning on doing the CX season singlespeed. It'll also be my first season ev4r. I had the bike built for last season but i got sick at the beginning and scheduling conflicts got in the way for the end...
I think my bike has a 39-18 setup which i'll probably end up tweaking with a larger cog, probably a 20t.
I think my bike has a 39-18 setup which i'll probably end up tweaking with a larger cog, probably a 20t.
ShogunMSB
05-03-09, 10:38 PM
I'm in the same boat, looking to get a ss cross bike to try it out...it seems fun and simple...
So to clear things up, there's usually a ss class and geared class at most events? I'm new to the cross scene...
So to clear things up, there's usually a ss class and geared class at most events? I'm new to the cross scene...
ZeroG
05-04-09, 01:38 AM
Nice link Andy_K. Thxs.
axcxnj
05-04-09, 08:22 AM
I'm in the same boat, looking to get a ss cross bike to try it out...it seems fun and simple...
So to clear things up, there's usually a ss class and geared class at most events? I'm new to the cross scene...
for my races, there was no separate SS class, IMO SS is a bike choice, not a handicap or advantage, and shouldnt be treated as so
So to clear things up, there's usually a ss class and geared class at most events? I'm new to the cross scene...
for my races, there was no separate SS class, IMO SS is a bike choice, not a handicap or advantage, and shouldnt be treated as so
Andy_K
05-04-09, 10:20 PM
So to clear things up, there's usually a ss class and geared class at most events? I'm new to the cross scene...
There is a separate singlespeed class around here, though they race with the B's. I was in a race with (and was lapped by) a singlespeed in a beginner's race last year.
There is a separate singlespeed class around here, though they race with the B's. I was in a race with (and was lapped by) a singlespeed in a beginner's race last year.