brockelju

I am brand new to the one-sp gear stuff. I was in the shop yesterday and they suggested that I get a one speed setup going. Right now, I have a 3sp hub, but the teeth are chewed the crap out of and needs replaced. What are the benefits and downsides of a one speed compared to a three speed? HELP!

paul emick

I think they want you to make an inexpensive swap to single speed, rather than a time consuming or more costly repair to the 3 spd. setup. Just a guess.

brockelju

Yeah. That's what I thought at first too. But i told him that I had money to do a 3sp hub replacement but he said that I should at least try this and if i didn't like it within the month to come and pay an extra $250 to get the swap. Do you ride with a single or... just curious. I was wondering if it is more fun/better than what i've got.

EivlEvo

I've never ridden 3 speed. Single through trails isn't fun unless ur on the right trail.

Obviously... the biggest diff is that you'd have 3 speeds instead of 1. Ur gonna have to make sure you get ur gearing set spot on for ur fav trail and then deal with the difficulties of riding it with less than stellar gearing on ur other trails.

brockelju

Awesome. Never riden a three speed? Wow. I bet you have some muscle to ya self. Is there some kind of website that would tell good sizes for popular trails? Or is it the process of buy it and find out yourself type thing?

EivlEvo

Well... I mean, you can try and figure out what cadence you pedal at mostly and then look to see what speed ur doing and try and work that out using sheldon browns gear calculator here... https://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

Or... you could consider what the tooth counts on your current setup are and try and find something that will produce the same ratios in a single category.

I don't race on my single speed so if Im offroad and single speeding I use a chain tensioner so that if I get a flat I don't have to worry about really getting the chain tension just right... I can just bolt it on and go again.

I never used slime or any of that in my race setups but on single I would consider it in the rear just due to the PITA of changing the tire without a quick release.

biknbrian

In the woods I ride a converted SS Cannondlae F600, an hope to never have to go back to a geared bike. I watch people clanking and clacking trying to find the right gear with their but glued to the seat. Me, I'll be cruising along thinking about the trial, just pedaling and having fun. Yes, occasionally I might come across a hill that I may have made on a geared bike but don't quite make now, but it gives me someting to work towards. To me it has made riding significantly more fun.

I say give it a try, especially if you already ride a three speed.

zoeglassjd

Brian where in da burgh do you ride an nat? What is your SS set up (chainring size and cog). Thanks.

Good luck with the trial.

brockelju

Hey, thanks biknbrian and Eivlevo. I go to the shop tomorrow with the intention of getting those. It is hard to type because I just barely got done painting the bottom half of my fork and I have paint all over my hands. I bought a RockShox fork used from a friend for $70 -- Best buy I ever made. Gave it 3 primes, 2 white coat and a sealant. Can't wait to pick up my bike up from the shop tomorrow and throw that baby on.