Did your SS have as good a winter as mine?

[minkhiller]

This was my first winter on the SS, it was a pleasure.

[skippy]

Pardon my ignorance... I know what a SS is, but I don't really know why it is. What is it about having only 1 gear that makes riding more enjoyable? I can see people who like a challange loving it, or those who like simplicity, but it seems like it would be a bit of an inconvience (your legs are always turning right?). Are they better for the winter because there are few moving parts to freeze?

[minkhiller]

Mine is a SS with freewheel, not fixed so no, my legs are not always turning. Making things simple I found important this winter, less things to freeze up, no shifting components and in this case no suspension to worry about maintaining.

The other thing is the feeling you get when you are forced to climb that hill or give up. You find yourself climbing things in a 33x18 gearing when you used to go to the little ring on front.

It's hard to explain Jake, you should try it someday. It's the feeling you get after the ride...hey I did some **** today that I never thought I could do...that type of feeling. I think on the whole that a SS will make you a stronger rider when it comes to leg strength, a rigid SS adds the ability to read the trail better as you seach for the most forgiving line.

I have not ridden my SS enough since the snow has left and there is no reason for it. There are some riding areas where the singlespeeds are king, not a lot of ascending or real flat terrain. The singlespeed is always good for areas with quick ups and downs or moderate hills. I am usually ok with hills of 15% or less incline and can push up over shorter steeps with it but the more I ride it the better I will get. The only problem with my gearing is that I can only pedal up to 10mph or so.

There are those whom have switched to SS riding only. To those people I tip my hat.

[gnurider1080]

i love my ss. its hard to explain why but i just do. sure i pay for it when i ride tough places with alot of climbing, but it will just make me a better rider in the long run. although i am looking forward to getting another bike so i can have a bike with gears as another option.

[ssnoobie]

I began single speeding (freewheel) recently, and it has become my favorite bike. It is a full rigid solo-one.


For me there are three things that make the experience enjoyable:

1.weight: My single speed is around 22 pounds, and it is mostly stock. Not easy to do with a geared bike for less than $500. this is 10 pounds less than my geared bike.
2.speed: I am a much faster rider on my single speed. For every trail I have tried this season, I am much faster on the single speed. Most of the time is gained going up. You have no choice, but to go. I am a pretty lazy rider on a geared bike, and I will shift when possible. The single speed forces me to ride faster. This was a very pleasant surprise when I switched to single speed.
3.Mechanical: The single speed is simple, easier to maintain, easier to clean, and you do not have to worry about the dangly bits when riding a stick strewn trail in the early season.

I am sure it is not for everyone, but I like it. It has changed the way I ride my other bikes too, including my road bike.

[bdee]

I've been riding SS for roughly 2 years now. I rode SS a lot for the better part of 1 year. I loved it, but this season I've been riding it sparingly. Why?

1. I noticed far less "snap" when I needed/wanted it.
2. I found myself always standing and powering when climbing on my geared bikes.
3. I lost what spinning ability I had on the road. I rode everything in bigger gears.

Basically I got a lot stronger and felt more powerful but not as smooth in a lot of applications. This year I've built up slowly after taking a month off over the winter ( this was a good winter to do other stuff). I've put in more easy rides on the road and I feel like I can spin much better and use energy a little more wisely. Recovery time has been better as well. The SS is still lots of fun, I think it's actually become more fun because I'm not riding it all the time. That said, if I only could have one MTB it'd be a SS. It might not be rigid but it'd be a SS.

[ArmOnFire]

Jake,
What type of pedals do you use?
If you use Eggbeaters, you can try my converted Trek SS (http://www.nemba.org/yabbse/index.php?board=33;action=display;threadid=5127)
It's fun, brings you back to just ridng a trail, not having to worry about gears and such.

-Dan

[skippy]

I use SPD clipless pedals... The Eggbeaters work with those right? Are those the pedals in the pics? (They look really big...)

[skippy]

Glenn, sorry about taking over your topic... It seems to have moved away from the winter SS topic.

But hey, at least it's educational!

[minkhiller]

No problem, all information helps and maybe you will get the chance to sample a SS.