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Single Speed DH

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phutphutend

phutphutend

Chimp
Nov 13, 2008
20
0
I've now been running single speed on my DH bike for over a year. I've ridden in Spain, France, England and Wales on all types of track and dirt. I never want to go back to gears.

I run a modifed E13 chain device that takes up the slack and chain growth in the chain. I swap the rear cog to suit the track, but i've found 36/16 or 16/14 works in most situations from flat out French Alpine tracks to muddy rooty technical Welsh hillsides.

No gears means less to think about and allows me to pin the DH tracks more. Think of that perfect run, usually it's when you've had total concentration the whole way down. Single speed helps with this.

I've only managed one race in this time, and i did pretty ****, but mainly due to me falling off. I don't think the lack of gears had any detrimental effect on my times.

Mostly i get strange looks for Singlespeed DH but i think it's only fear of the unknown. Tell me what you think.....?

 
E

EastCoaster

Monkey
Mar 30, 2002
403
0
Southeastern PA
I seem to remember seeing an old, THICK Bikes full susp. singlespeed downhill frame photo on here somewhere once. The rider was doing a nice big drop on it! Bombproof!

When does the fixed gear full suspension downhill forum start? Just kidding!:thumb:
 
skatetokil

skatetokil

Turbo Monkey
Jan 2, 2005
2,383
-1
DC/Bluemont VA
I had nothing but drivetrain issues last year and it was really annoying. Tweaked hangers, blown up shifters, stretching cables, gummed up derailures, everything. Even managed to bend a cassete somehow.

In other words, this is very tempting.

What do you find to be the biggest drawback? Are you planning on racing it more?
 
phutphutend

phutphutend

Chimp
Nov 13, 2008
20
0
Only drawbck i've had so far is pedalling between riding spots. But as long as you're fit and strong it's not too much of a problem. Little weedy types may struggle a little with the high gear needed for DH.

As long as the terrain is pointing down, you can pick up speed pretty quick. Even coming out of slow corners isn't any slower, you have so much more confidence just to stomp on the pedals, knowing nothing is going to slip. If you've ridden XC single speed, you'll know that instant pickup feeling, in my opinion this is even better for DH.

Plaaning on racing more but i've just had a little baby....so it might not be that easy!
 
P

PhilipW

Monkey
Mar 13, 2007
311
0
Leominster, MA
Is there any way that you could get a closeup of your modded guide? I just wanted to see how you made it work. I don't think I've ever seen it actually done before.

Cheers,
philip @ e*thirteen
 
phutphutend

phutphutend

Chimp
Nov 13, 2008
20
0
Hope this photo shows what going on. Basically half an XT cage swinging from the same bolt as the roller. Then the other bolt is used to keep the whole thing stiff. A bungee cord is wrapped around the end of the mech and to the BB to provide the tension. Simple!

A small roller is also required to keep the chain on at the cog end, 'a la' MX bikes or the Honda RN01.

Feel free to pm me if you want any more information. Perhaps i could take some better photos. I've actually modified it a little since these photos were taken. A few pounds wouldn't go amiss if E13 intend to put it into production..he...he! (Does a forum post count as a patent). Although I haven't tried it yet i suspect this could be used with a geared bike to increase chain tension, reduce chain slap, keep the mech out the way etc.

 
A

aanon

Chimp
Nov 21, 2008
29
0
south oz
Nice one, i have seriously thought about ss ing my dh rig over the years.The simplicity and clean lines, not to mention weight savings are a good reason to try it. During most of my race runs i only change gears maybe 3 times and on most weekend rides my shifter may remain untouched all day.Also the chain on my Racelink remains the same length due to pivot location so i would not even need a tensioner, sweet.
Your set up on the orange is neat mate, the way the tensioner is at the front makes sense,good thinking.
 
Uruk-hai

Uruk-hai

Monkey
Oct 13, 2004
144
0
The 'Quah
I switched to ss on my Stab Supreme last summer out of necessity. A crash damaged my shifter while spending a weekend at a lift-accessed resort. I took the shifter off and adjusted my derailleur to be a chain tensioner and then I went riding.

Honestly, I couldn't tell much difference. I did notice the lack of top end gears on wide open sections but in singletrack it didn't hold me back at all. In fact, I think it helped me as it showed me the importance of flow, keeping up my momentum, and staying off the brakes.

I may keep it this way this year too, or at least it in a race or two.
 
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An0maly

Chimp
Apr 6, 2009
10
0
Yeh, single speed DH pwns

I did it to my bike after relising I never changed gears while riding and it makes it so much quieter
 

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An0maly

Chimp
Apr 6, 2009
10
0
phutphutend said:
Bike looks good! But what do 'pwns' and 'relising' mean?
Click to expand...
Because sarcasm is hard to detect on the internet I don't know whether you are pointing out my spelling or asking the question seriously? If you are in fact asking seriously then 'pwns' means owns, as in it owns. Slang

'relising' was me spelling realising wrong (and in NZ we spell it with a 's')
 
S

Smartiboo

Chimp
Apr 29, 2010
3
0
London UK
Hey Phut, I think you are awesome, dude. I've been around a few forums trying to find somone like you who actually has some experience with building and riding a top-end SS MTB, and I have only ever been met by rudeness and closed doors.

I'm wanting to build up a little street-toy for myself, and am going to have a top end full-sus MTB 26" frame, with perhaps 24" wheels for that added manoervrbility, so I can fling it around like a BMX.

What's an E13 chain device? Is that the company name? I must google it....
 
phutphutend

phutphutend

Chimp
Nov 13, 2008
20
0
Lollapalooza,

No experience of that Yes tensioner but not sure if it would work at the same time as a normal chainguide. On a DH bike you still need a chainguide to run SS.

I've changed my setup a bit recently. I bought a Turner DHR and the old device didn't fit. So I bought a Rohloff tensioner. Yup, this still sitas in the same place as a regular mech but it's way stronger, shorted and stiffer. It's had a few hits and still works fine. Also, it doesn't rattle around like a normal mech so my bike is really quiet.

About 2 years now SS, and can't think pf any reason to go back.
 
L

Lollapalooza

Monkey
Jan 22, 2007
527
0
Haha sorry I should have clarified: I'd be using it in place of a lower roller with the bashguard and upper part of the guide I have on it now. The Rohloff one does look pretty tight and tucked away though. Any idea as to how it compares to the Yess one? It would be interesting to see a list of how much chain growth/tug common dh bikes have to see how much 'travel' the chain tensioner would need to have.
 
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phutphutend

phutphutend

Chimp
Nov 13, 2008
20
0
Only have experience of the Rohloff I afraid.

Try Linkage the suspension analysis software. This will tell you the chain growth for nearly all frames.
 
L

Lollapalooza

Monkey
Jan 22, 2007
527
0
It's not too accurate but i used Iron horse sunday specs image by CK_123 on Photobucket to do a little mock up in cad and it the chain grows by about 1.5". I think I might just try the bottom bracket mounted one paired with 2/3rds of a chainguide and cycle through the suspension and see if it still works.

Edit: Eh nevermind I don't think it would really work. Oh well I'm heading into the garage to see if I can come up with something
 
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D

d.tate

Judge Dread
May 22, 2007
77
0
SS on a DH bike is definately different and fun. I set up my old Sinister R9 as a SS with a yess chain tensioner and because there was very little chain growth it worked great.

Very smooth and quiet and great for non-race riding. I raced SS at Massanutten and it was a disaster for me. I just couldn't carry enough speed on the pedal sections and was way off the pace. I did take out a photographer in the first barrell turn in practice though. He was not looking and turned his back to me to walk up the hill just as I was entering the turn, the bike was so quiet he didn't hear me coming and I rode right over him.

I love riding SS dh but just not for racing. However, Ninja Bob has been racing SS at Snowshoe the last two seasons and absolutely kills it... but then again he is a ninja!!!
 
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skg6

Chimp
May 28, 2008
5
0
Hi all...reading all this thread inspires me to build a SS DH rig. After converting my old and dusty SC Blur to a SS SC BLur...it was fun. swapping it with narrow 27inch to 29inch bars sure helps me ride long xc and bombing DH sections. Then it occurs to me to convert my DH rig to SS aswell. So i did it with a SS tensioner (don't know what brand it was) with 18T cog at the back...It was the best decision i've ever made....the SS Norco A-Line Park Edition is the only DH bike in my country and i think i'm the only mad enough to do this. Alot of eyes are watching me when i push up the trails and all sorts of questions i get but i just don't care...its fun, i can have a peace of mind when im pedalling. surely the climbing part is a minus but still i can pedal up there.

Now im convinced....no need all those 9 or 10 speed at the rear...just 1 would do....thanks guys for all your comments and i really enjoy reading it and you guys inspired me....
 
IH8Rice

IH8Rice

I'm Mr. Negative! I Fail!
Aug 2, 2008
24,524
494
Im over here now
lukaszkrolak said:
buddy tried running single speed V10 with hammershmidt. any seen other attempts with this setup?
Click to expand...
my buddy has this setup on his Session 88
he has 4 gears from a cassette on the back but is only using one of them. the others are there to help find the ideal gear in the back
 
cecil

cecil

Turbo Monkey
Jun 3, 2008
2,064
2,345
with the voices in my head
i destroy at least one derailer every dh season, i'm thinking ss after i break one this season.
everytime i go to rays i rent ($10.00 why even chance damaging my bike) and they have all ss bikes, i notice i break less and carry more speed after riding there, thanks bro
 
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