[Sandwich]

I've got a line on an old inbred SS frame, and I've got a large parts bin to draw from in order to build it up. I could use a bike to ride to the gym (a couple miles away) or to go to the bar, and also to work (6 miles away, not very hilly). I've never done the singlespeed thing, and am usually one of the guys who has to have the newest dumbest **** on his bike, but I'm wondering whether singlespeeding is actually fun, or if it's just something people do when they're bored. I already have a nice "mountain" bike, and a nice road bike, and a dirt jumper. I don't like the idea of locking up my high end bikes at the bar, and the dirt jumper is going to be mental to ride any longer than 10 ft.

ps, I know there's a forum, but post #3 is from like 2012.

 

[jimmydean]

I love my SS.

My gym is only 2 miles away and there is a skate park and bmx track across the street.

 

[JohnE]

I love mine, climbs like a goat and descends like a scalded cat. They are stiffer overall due to teh narrow rear end, simple to ride and easy to maintain. Easy, easy, easy...

 

[jonKranked]

single speeds are tons of fun, and make great commuter/bar bikes. just make sure you gear it right.

 

[jonKranked]

I've got a line on an old inbred SS frame, and I've got a large parts bin to draw from in order to build it up. I could use a bike to ride to the gym (a couple miles away) or to go to the bar, and also to work (6 miles away, not very hilly). I've never done the singlespeed thing, and am usually one of the guys who has to have the newest dumbest **** on his bike, but I'm wondering whether singlespeeding is actually fun, or if it's just something people do when they're bored. I already have a nice "mountain" bike, and a nice road bike, and a dirt jumper. I don't like the idea of locking up my high end bikes at the bar, and the dirt jumper is going to be mental to ride any longer than 10 ft.

ps, I know there's a forum, but post #3 is from like 2012.

except for the run of a dozen sh*tty used DH bikes you went through

 

[Sandwich]

except for the run of a dozen sh*tty used DH bikes you went through

the difference between some of the old beaters I had and the new fancy stuff was a few patents and a half a degree. I've got a goofy lefty, 650b, brand new xt hydros on my trail bike...road is a ti frame with carbonz wheels.

 

[Jim Mac]

SS riding is fun. I ride my BMX cruiser all over & love the simplicity. Just remember to stand up, dood.

 

[4130biker]

It's super fun- flowy trails with short climbs and descents seemed the most fun to me. Makes you look at riding differently. I miss mine; it was canabalized for a different build that has since been sold

 

[Colonel Angus]

I love my singlespeed. So much that I haven't ridden my FS Turner for over a year. So much that I had one custom built for my 50th birthday.

I think they are more fun than geared bikes, somehow more "Zen". You're like a kid again, just riding, not thinking about what gear you should be in.

 

[jonKranked]

the difference between some of the old beaters I had and the new fancy stuff was a few patents and a half a degree. I've got a goofy lefty, 650b, brand new xt hydros on my trail bike...road is a ti frame with carbonz wheels.

i was pointing out the irony of the gap between what he says and what he does. and he's also the first to call the waaahhhhhmbulance every time there's a new "standard"

 

[Sandwich]

i was pointing out the irony of the gap between what he says and what he does. and he's also the first to call the waaahhhhhmbulance every time there's a new "standard"

15mm t/a good, 29" bad, got it

 

[jonKranked]

15mm t/a good, 29" bad, got it

hows that yakuza working out for you?

 

[eaterofdog]

I ride the hell out of mine and never have any problems at all.

 

[OGRipper]

You've got the parts needed to fill what seems like a gaping hole in your quiver - a practical beater you don't have to worry about when you lock it up. You are a huge bike nerd yet you've never ridden a singlespeed, so for the rest of your life you won't be able to speak from experience when the subject comes up.

Do it, ride it, and if you don't like one gear, you can pick up a cheap internally-geared wheel down the road. Honestly, this is a no brainer.

 

[Sandwich]

hows that yakuza working out for you?

aside from the turdburglar friend of a friend who sold it to me, it would have been fine. Long TT, low BB, slack HA, linear rate high pivot suspension. It's just a shame it was made in the worst factory in all of mainland china. No bondo on it though, slight upgrade from the sunday I had.

I ride the hell out of mine and never have any problems at all.

what fork is that? That's pretty much what I would strive for, my parts bin would fill out everything but a fork and cranks, it's looking like.

 

[SkaredShtles]

<snip> not thinking about what gear you should be in.

Is this a problem for most people with gears?

 

[blindboxx2334]

SS on my DJ and i ride everything from mellow single track, to places like rockville (herra rocks).. i also ride a fair amount of street, and some park when im feeling up to it. when i get reallllly bored, ill just go out and ride it a couple of miles in one direction.

the added simplicity is nice.. once you find a gear you like, you'll be good to go.

edit:
before i forget, i always use 1/8" drive train stuff as well, more or less for added piece of mind. i always see people using 10 spd chains, rings, and cogs (old friend still has 10 spd SS stuff on his dj and its always popping off). never understood why..

 

[kazlx]

They are fun. Ridden some SS mountain bikes that buddies have. Had a SS commuter for a while. You can get away with a lot taller gearing on the street with narrow road tires, especially with limited climbing. As far as the mtb goes, get used to standing. It takes a little getting used to either pedaling or walking. There's nothing in between. It also makes you flow trails a bit better at speed since once you get going at a good pace, you can't really pedal fast enough to accelerate.

 

[jackalope]

Let me save you some time, just buy this -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K2-Proflex-4000-Single-Speed-Bicycle-Bike-20-Frame-RETAIL-2100-00-15-/251346700772?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item3a856e49e4

All the simplicity and "challenge" of a single speed, combined with the comfort and reliability of a single pivot. A single speed single pivot (SSSP) if you will. Plus, it probably has less frame cracks than your Yakuza and certainly less chain growth issues.

 

[Sandwich]

http://providence.craigslist.org/bik/4101381880.html

too bad it has the integrated stem...

 

[eaterofdog]

what fork is that? That's pretty much what I would strive for, my parts bin would fill out everything but a fork and cranks, it's looking like.

It's a 26" trials fork. This model is out of production but there are plenty more http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/26_inch_forks/c40.html

 

[Jim Mac]

Somebody rep Jackalope for me, plz!!!

 

[jimmydean]

Let me save you some time, just buy this -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K2-Proflex-4000-Single-Speed-Bicycle-Bike-20-Frame-RETAIL-2100-00-15-/251346700772?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item3a856e49e4

All the simplicity and "challenge" of a single speed, combined with the comfort and reliability of a single pivot. A single speed single pivot (SSSP) if you will. Plus, it probably has less frame cracks than your Yakuza and certainly less chain growth issues.

Damn... RM once again comes full circle.

 

[bean]

Is this a problem for most people with gears?

It doesn't take many brain cycles, but I noticed a difference when I rode single speed.

 

[6thElement]

It's just a different style of riding. If you're going to ride it just on the road you'll want higher gearing than if you're going to ride it on singletrack. I raced a bunch of dirt 100 milers this year on my SS hardtail, gearing 32/20. My SS commuter is 50/17 I think.

 

[TreeSaw]

Seems like a no-brainer to me. SS is fun and easy to maintain plus it would be a perfect townie ride.

 

[SkaredShtles]

It doesn't take many brain cycles, but I noticed a difference when I rode single speed.

Did you ever find yourself on one of our famous FR climbs saying to yourself, "I sure am glad I don't have any lower gears" as you pushed your bike up the hill?

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Sandwich = MMcG?

 

[Austin Bike]

My single speed is a commuter but I love doing laps around the lake on it. There is a zen like quality to just getting on a bike and riding. I can typically get my hour lap done with 1 or 2 stops, occasionally I get the light right and can do the 12 miles non stop. 42x16.

 

[HardtailHack]

Gear it high and ride straight past the gym to the hills and do some upper body on the bike, gyms are for homos in festival singlets.

 

[mandown]

this gimp rides a single to the gym. i get passed by girls and guys in girl pants. gear it right.