Mountain Biking - What's all this SS noise about

I always thought single speed was just for BMX and kid's bikes. I could definitely see switching to 1x9, but I use like 4 gears just on the relatively flat 1/2 mile between home and work and 7 of them on the trail (I never shift the front). However, I've read more than enough about people's SS bikes to make me wonder. Is it really that good even on a fair mix of up and down? I noticed even the TransAM comes in SS flavor. Do you folks with SS bikes ever ride all mountain?

I tried out single-speed for a while - - was building up a hardtail from spare parts and didn't have money for gears yet. I thought it was interesting but a pain in the ass.

I ♥ moar gearz.
And moar shimz.
and more cowbell.

gears are for sissy's! I am heading home for thanksgiving today and will go out and ride Walnut Creek which is like my home turf you could say and has a lot of climbing. Ill let you know how it goes...most of the stuff around here is really flat like 50 feet elevation change total so it's not much of a challenge. I rode fixed gear before building my mtb though so i guess i was used to it a little bit.

the only time i really shift is going up a hill. i would go 1x9 first to tell if it makes a difference.

i haven't really tried SS. i do not think it is for me. i am sure it would cause too much stress on my knees and lower back. i have found i do much better with a higher cadence. i cannot imagine doing some hills without my gears. i guess i have a sense of entitlement. i am entitled to gears.

however, it is a great excuse to build up another bike! so i am sure i will do one in a year or two since i now have a justifiable reason for another bike.

maybe i will really enjoy it and not get joint pains. who knows. probably something i would have to ease into though.

I thought about doing a SS but after finding new trails with a lot more climbing I have found that a 1x8 (current bike has an 8 spd cassette) would be a lot better. I never shift out of my middle COG so losing the other two chain rings wont bother me. Just need to find a bash and chain guide and get it done.

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't

SS hurt my knees.

I'm still recovering.

Now that you mention it, I remember you talking about that. Hope you get better soon.

Anybody ever try a SS, fixed rear hub, brakeless MTB ?

You wouldn't want to do that. Your only brake would be rear and you'd be skidding all over the trails. Thats bad, m'kay?

My one SS experience showed me that I was typically pushing too low a gear on my regular bike. After that, I didn't like it. I like my gears.

I have liked options since my 2 speed Stingray in 1964. I have thought that 24 "choices" was overkill years ago. Now, up to 33, it has to stop somewhere. But a single speed. Maybe for a Donut run and putting a basket on the handle bars. Granny Gear and I spend a lot of time together.

I rode SS all summer, about 1000 miles. I've ridden it on everything from easy trails to stuff at 8000 ft of elevation to a 2 mile sufferfest @ 8% and up to 30 miles with 4000 ft of climbing. It's fun. It's a lot of fun.

Here's why I like it:

* I started riding it in April. I rode less this year than in years past. I dropped about 15 lbs and built a bunch of muscle in both upper and lower body. Now if I ride my geared bike, I'm SO much faster than I ever thought I could be.
* Now I know what true pain feels like on the bike. And that I can keep pushing through it.
* The simplicity is super fun, and the feel of the bike/ride is much different. Going downhill with no chainslap is awesome.
* The "holy crap you're riding a single speed out here?!?!" comments are awesome.

It's as hard or as easy as you want it to be. If you think you have a ton of climbing, run a bigger rear cog, if it's mostly flat, run a smaller one. You can find the best cog for your riding conditions and style. I've been happy with the 32x19 on my 29er, but thinking of trying out a 17t pretty soon.

Riding a SS is kinda like drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.. was unique, became hip and trendy.. but the simple fact is.. it tastes like crap and always did.

the trails around me are super buff single track that go up and then go down. Lots of climbing outside of the valley. My trail bike is a 3x9 and i can typically do all the climbing in the middle ring. When i commute to work, i ride a single speed. I like having a couple of bikes, and durring the winter a simple drivetrain is highly appreciated.

Well one summer day I busted a couple of spokes on my trail bike but i still wanted to go out riding. So i took my SS to the trail! I had a pretty good time actually. Most of the riding i did was out of the saddle high caddence type stuff. I found myself carrying much more momentum than i normally would on my geared bike. After fininishing a long not too steep climb, i took a break waiting for my riding partner to catch up. While she was catching her breat, i likened riding the SS on the trail to running. You can't really ever slow down on the thing, it's a much more an aerobic workout at speed and you can never fall back on an easier gear. I know neither of thsoe two things really have anything to do with running, but i just felt like i was running when riding my SS on the trail. Maybe its because the constant spinng to stay at speed. Who knows? On a SS, you pretty much know what your in for and how hard you can mash and how fast you can spin. When we started doing some other mildly steeper climbs, i had to walk the bike a few times.

That being said, i had to overhaul the hubs on my SS and rode my trail bike to work for three days htis fall. My 1/2 mile commute was about 2 minutes faster on the geared bike.

I much prefer geared bikes, but SSs can be super fun on the right trail network. Also, it's hard not to argue the beauty in simplicity.

Riding a SS is kinda like drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.. was unique, became hip and trendy.. but the simple fact is.. it tastes like crap and always did.:roflmao2:

I rode SS all summer, about 1000 miles. I've ridden it on everything from easy trails to stuff at 8000 ft of elevation to a 2 mile sufferfest @ 8% and up to 30 miles with 4000 ft of climbing. It's fun. It's a lot of fun.

Here's why I like it:

* I started riding it in April. I rode less this year than in years past. I dropped about 15 lbs and built a bunch of muscle in both upper and lower body. Now if I ride my geared bike, I'm SO much faster than I ever thought I could be.
* Now I know what true pain feels like on the bike. And that I can keep pushing through it.
* The simplicity is super fun, and the feel of the bike/ride is much different. Going downhill with no chainslap is awesome.
* The "holy crap you're riding a single speed out here?!?!" comments are awesome.

It's as hard or as easy as you want it to be. If you think you have a ton of climbing, run a bigger rear cog, if it's mostly flat, run a smaller one. You can find the best cog for your riding conditions and style. I've been happy with the 32x19 on my 29er, but thinking of trying out a 17t pretty soon.

Plus, all the money we save on shifty bits we get to spend on sideburn grooming, which is nice.

I just sold my SS bike to help fund a new geared bike, and so far for me the jury is out on what I prefer. I'm still new enough to mountain biking that it doesn't matter which bike I'm on, the skills are missing regardless.

The SS was fun, though, and if funds/space allow I may build up another one down the road.

You wouldn't want to do that. Your only brake would be rear and you'd be skidding all over the trails. Thats bad, m'kay?

The hipster messenger crowd do it................

The hipster messenger crowd do it................

on the street is one thing. On the trails is another.

Go fixed with a front brake in the woods.

SS biekz rox d00d.

on the street is one thing. On the trails is another.

Go fixed with a front brake in the woods.

So that makes me wonder, when MTB'ers talk about SS, are they fixies or not ?

So that makes me wonder, when MTB'ers talk about SS, are they fixies or not ?
No.

I have a SS playbike. It's fun for the novelty value, but I wouldn't want to make it my main ride. I take it on flat trails when I feel like it, but sometimes find myself wishing I had a geared bike anyway. Mainly I use it for DJ and stuff, where I don't need the gears and know I'm going to fall a bunch and don't want to mess up a rear derailleur.

sold my geared full xt s-works and bought a ss 29er.
don't miss the gears one bit.
as a matter of fact, a guy i rode with today was having shifting problems because of the mud getting caught in the rear derailleur.
me and my buddy running ss just kept on sailin'.

Riding a SS is kinda like drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.. was unique, became hip and trendy.. but the simple fact is.. it tastes like crap and always did.

lol http://www.turbocheese.net/hosted/gay.gif

I always thought single speed was just for BMX and kid's bikes. I could definitely see switching to 1x9, but I use like 4 gears just on the relatively flat 1/2 mile between home and work and 7 of them on the trail (I never shift the front). However, I've read more than enough about people's SS bikes to make me wonder. Is it really that good even on a fair mix of up and down? I noticed even the TransAM comes in SS flavor. Do you folks with SS bikes ever ride all mountain?

It's just another bike in the garage, horse in the stable etc... There's no way I'd own a single-speed as my only bike, but it's a great thing to have to stay in shape and keep your skills sharp. The closest trail to me is about 12 miles long and has a mere 900 feet of climbing. Once you reach a certain level of fitness and skill, a trail like this isn't any fun on a bike with 6" of travel and 27 gears. On an SS, I can go ride after work and get a great workout, but there's not much of a chance I'd go riding in the N. Ga mountains with it.

What I really want to know is why people still buy sailboats when powerboats are widely available? It seems like a lot of trouble to re-configure the sails every time the wind changes when you can just push a throttle forward. Is the easiest way always the best way? :)

Good point Svr. Maybe years from now, I'll have multiple bikes and one of them will be SS, but for now, I'm coming from a one-bike "stable" perspective. 'One bike to rule them all'. :)

I always thought single speed was just for BMX and kid's bikes. I could definitely see switching to 1x9, but I use like 4 gears just on the relatively flat 1/2 mile between home and work and 7 of them on the trail (I never shift the front). However, I've read more than enough about people's SS bikes to make me wonder. Is it really that good even on a fair mix of up and down? I noticed even the TransAM comes in SS flavor. Do you folks with SS bikes ever ride all mountain?

I don't even own a geared bike anymore. SS is where it's at.

I ride everything from fireroads to weekend trips to the mountains on mine.

It's just another bike in the garage, horse in the stable etc... There's no way I'd own a single-speed as my only bike, but it's a great thing to have to stay in shape and keep your skills sharp. The closest trail to me is about 12 miles long and has a mere 900 feet of climbing. Once you reach a certain level of fitness and skill, a trail like this isn't any fun on a bike with 6" of travel and 27 gears. On an SS, I can go ride after work and get a great workout, but there's not much of a chance I'd go riding in the N. Ga mountains with it.

What I really want to know is why people still buy sailboats when powerboats are widely available? It seems like a lot of trouble to re-configure the sails every time the wind changes when you can just push a throttle forward. Is the easiest way always the best way? :)

+1 ...........Riding SS forces you to take your fitness and skills up a notch or two.

Bought it used AGES ago. http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3006/sidev2ku3.jpg Once the shifters fell apart off came the gears.
Spacers and SS cogs on the cassette http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/172/backwheeldetailrh2.jpg

Awesome fun but not geared for crazy climbing. This winter it gets a stiff front end and drop bars, long travel V brake road levers.
Bought my Schwalbe CX PRO 26inch tires today.... MONSTER CROSS!!!

+1 ...........Riding SS forces you to take your fitness and skills up a notch or two.

Wow! it's amazing how people are trying to make this SS bike thing sounds like an amazing skill and fitness builder. Cmon people get real! in case you guys didn't notice idea behind the gears is to able to choose the gear while you are riding. I am pretty sure my 27 speed bike has the same or very similar gear ratio you picked for your SS. No body forcing you to use your granny gear while you are climbing! you don't like the granny? well then put in second gear, you don't like your second? well then put it in third. Still to easy for your taste? ok then put it in...I am sure you got the point.
Now if you tell me you ride an SS bike because of less moving parts and the ease of servicing I totally understand but please don't tell me you ride it because it builds fitness and skill because I am sure I build the same fitness and the skill levels while I am riding on a trail next to you with my 27 gear in 9,10, or 11th gear.

total bs.
not having gears forces you to pick better lines that keep momentum and uses your muscles more when climbing....you're using your body to make the climbs- not a derailleur.
it's not for everyone....but why do you think roadies use ss and fixed during the off season to stay in shape.
ride a ss for a month and then hop on your geared bike and tell me the ss doesn't make you stronger.

total bs.
not having gears forces you to pick better lines that keep momentum and uses your muscles more when climbing....you're using your body to make the climbs- not a derailleur.
it's not for everyone....but why do you think roadies use ss and fixed during the off season to stay in shape.
ride a ss for a month and then hop on your geared bike and tell me the ss doesn't make you stronger.

Stop kidding yourself and read before you post.
No body told you to shift gears on your bike.
Like I said before, I am sure ratio you picked for your SS does exist in the 27 speed bike or what you have is very close to one of the 27 speeds of that bike . So again pick a gear keep it there and you have yourself an SS. In fact tell you what next time you get on a geared bike put it in 27th gear and try to climb a hill or two and tell me how it was for you, I am pretty sure it'll get you in shape in no time

This is where one challenges, the other to an e- race. I can't wait for the finish! U rah!!!!!!!!!

http://bearnakedjoe.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cowbell.jpg ..

I need more cow bell!

Bought it used AGES ago. http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3006/sidev2ku3.jpg Once the shifters fell apart off came the gears.
Spacers and SS cogs on the cassette http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/172/backwheeldetailrh2.jpg

Awesome fun but not geared for crazy climbing. This winter it gets a stiff front end and drop bars, long travel V brake road levers.
Bought my Schwalbe CX PRO 26inch tires today.... MONSTER CROSS!!!

I like what you're doing with this bike. It's sort of what I'm planning for my current mountain bike. As it breaks, simplify. How's that old fork holding up?

<img src=http://www.crackunit.com/wp-content/image_well/pissing.jpg>

Figured I'd chime in. I've been riding SS for years now and my geared MTB wound up collecting cobwebs, so I sold it.

I'll probably get the hipster garbage, but I ride a fixed gear to work daily. It's definitely not a 'cool' bike with all my nerd gear (lights, rack, fenders, etc.), but it gets me around. My SS mtb is a Salsa Juan Solo with a carbon fiber fork. Fully rigid, SS, and faster than hell.

It's a matter of preference and fun. I don't have to mess with derailleurs in maintenance anymore and I don't have to deal with gears on the trail. I just ride and that's all that matters. Fitness, lines, d*** wagging... none of that makes any difference. Ride and enjoy yourself.

SS is fun for some, others prefer their options or gear ratios on the fly.

I find it funny that folks have sooo much trouble with shifting gears on a bike.

How's that old fork holding up?

Considering the age and how little TLC the fork has received it's incredible. It still functions, but it's time for it to go, you know when something just starts feeling off? I don't think I'd want to trust it doing a cross course with lots of off camber roots and such. As it now I hesitate to really throw down hard into a corner on the street. I image I'll be tossing a decent amount of weight as well.

Always funny to read SS haters that never rode SS MTB once in their life, but they're "pretty sure". My sons and I ride SS all the time, they ditched their gears because they got fed up with all the hassles of a modern 9 speed deralliuer set-up. They started concentrating on riding and their skills zoomed. I ride my Alfine in 5th when I ride with them, it will make you a better MTB rider and up your fitness. We get a kick out of the full squish riders and all the goofy pads and spandex, they lookn like Wisconsin Cheese Brats. If your knees hurt it's because you ran too high a gear, it's about spinning not mashing....

this thread turned out exactly how I knew it would from the first post.

classic BF

Have ridden SS a lot. It isn't any better/harder/easier, it's just different. Have ridden rides out west with lots of climbing, and lots of rides out east with short and steep ups.
Riding out west and out east, with the same groups I ride geared bikes with, and never had any trouble still staying with the group. Some of them sometimes ride SS as well.
IMO, it can improve your riding, if you let it - to keep momentum up, you are forced into picking cleaner lines - at least that's what it did for my riding. I like my geared rides. I like my SS and fixed rides.

And fixed on trail does not mean skidding all over the place to stop. It's pretty easy to modulate your speed without skidding all over. Just because you see idiots skidding all over on pavement doesn't mean you have to ride it that way offroad.

Like the whole wheel size thing, I'm not sure why some people choose to dwell on/get pissy about what bike others choose to ride. What the hell does it matter to you? They are getting their kicks how it works for them.

Always funny to read SS haters that never rode SS MTB once in their life, but they're "pretty sure". My sons and I ride SS all the time, they ditched their gears because they got fed up with all the hassles of a modern 9 speed deralliuer set-up. They started concentrating on riding and their skills zoomed. I ride my Alfine in 5th when I ride with them, it will make you a better MTB rider and up your fitness. We get a kick out of the full squish riders and all the goofy pads and spandex, they lookn like Wisconsin Cheese Brats. If your knees hurt it's because you ran too high a gear, it's about spinning not mashing....
First I don't hate SS second you made the exact same points that I've been trying to make which was you ride the SS because less moving parts and no hassle of tune ups. And also you can keep your multi geared bike in one gear and have the same experience that you would have on an SS bike( in your case it is the 5th gear) and I am sure by keeping your bike in the fifth gear you are able do whatever that you would do an SS bike to keep your lines and stuff to improve you skills and fitness.

First I don't hate SS second you made the exact same points that I've been trying to make which was you ride the SS because less moving parts and no hassle of tune ups. And also you can keep your multi geared bike in one gear and have the same experience that you would have on an SS bike( in your case it is the 5th gear) and I am sure by keeping your bike in the fifth gear you are able do whatever that you would do an SS bike to keep your lines and stuff to improve you skills and fitness.

Riding a geared bike in the same gear all day does not at all duplicate the feel of riding a single speed bike. It's a completely different experience.

Riding a geared bike in the same gear all day does not at all duplicate the feel of riding a single speed bike. It's a completely different experience.

Other than the elevated level of smug self-righteousness that comes with a SS, what exactly is the difference? When I trailride on my 1x9 slalom bike (which is 90% of the time these days), I end up climbing in the biggest cog most of the time. No pansyasss bailouts possible, granny ring or otherwise. 38-23 gearing. The pain is slightly less than typical SS gearing, but it's the still the same pain.

Then when the trail tips over I use the shifter and the other 8 cogs to go FASTER without spinning out. win win

getting better all the time

Other than the elevated level of smug self-righteousness that comes with a SS, what exactly is the difference?

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ddaayyyuummmmm