Taking SS'ing to whole new level

[DR ◣◢]

Funny how that exact book is lying on my desk at work. Havnt had time to read it yet.

[javadude]

There is a local guy in Cape Town that does some really nice work.

 

http://www.flywheelbikes.co.za

Edited August 8, 2012 by javadude

[nathrix]

You're missing nothing if you still don't get it, go buy a bromponie doggone.

[Wyatt Earp]

I get the riding singlespeed thing as a race class.

I really get the beautiful hand built bikes, but they would be just as lovely if they had more gears.

I dont get how singlespeed is superior to or the riders are more gifted/wonderful/exceptional than other cyclists.

Wanting to only ride singlespeed seems like a step backwards. . . .almost like turning oil back into coal. . . . a bit pointless really!

 

Now please explain to me, what am I missing?

 

I will share my single speed fascination form my perspective if you so please.

 

I built myself a single speed a good few years back for some reasons of my own.

I was intrigued.

I was looking for a training bike.

I was keen to see how much one could really achieve with one gear, reason for this, as a kid I rode my BMX to Corobrick and back over some stupid distances just to get a day in at the track during holidays.

 

What then happened.

I started riding my SS on my daily training rides, I quite enjoyed the challenge and entered one or two races.

To my surprise I was able to achieve moderately good results against the geared bike riders and kept on wondering how far one could push the limits as to what was capable.

 

My power went up, my leg speed went up.

This was a good indication for me that riding a SS has some great benefits.

 

I also became rather addicted to the feel of the bike and the simplicity of it.

It was not long before I started doing marathons and ultra's on the SS.

 

I am now so hooked on the bike that I feel rather stupid when I ride something with gears.

My bike is rigid, yet again another attempt from my side to bring back some of the past.

In the early 90's we raced fully rigid bikes and survived, I thought to myself, why not try it again.

 

I also then went fully rigid on my bike a few years back.

For me it's quite simply a very enjoyable and pleasurable bike to ride.

 

Now for the box in me to manifest himself.

 

I am getting so irritated with all these posers that are starting to ride SS bikes.

Nowadays it's all about the helmet and clothes you wear when you ride one.

Most people try and shove the SS thing so deep down people throats that they actually scare people off.

Comments like "gears are for queers" and rubbish like that get's tossed around all over the place.

 

Go o a group ride and the dudes with their single speeds have the most arrogant and bloated ego's of the entire group.

 

For me, it's simply just another bike.

I closing I will say this.

 

The most attractive thing about riding a fully rigid SS speed at some of these events, is the challenges I face, for me it gives a great sense of personal achievement when I can finish a race on my SS without suffering too much.

I was getting to a point where every race or ride was just another race/ride.

The SS adds new challenges and excitement to my MTB experience.

[Iron]

I will share my single speed fascination form my perspective if you so please.

 

I built myself a single speed a good few years back for some reasons of my own.

I was intrigued.

I was looking for a training bike.

I was keen to see how much one could really achieve with one gear, reason for this, as a kid I rode my BMX to Corobrick and back over some stupid distances just to get a day in at the track during holidays.

 

What then happened.

I started riding my SS on my daily training rides, I quite enjoyed the challenge and entered one or two races.

To my surprise I was able to achieve moderately good results against the geared bike riders and kept on wondering how far one could push the limits as to what was capable.

 

My power went up, my leg speed went up.

This was a good indication for me that riding a SS has some great benefits.

 

I also became rather addicted to the feel of the bike and the simplicity of it.

It was not long before I started doing marathons and ultra's on the SS.

 

I am now so hooked on the bike that I feel rather stupid when I ride something with gears.

My bike is rigid, yet again another attempt from my side to bring back some of the past.

In the early 90's we raced fully rigid bikes and survived, I thought to myself, why not try it again.

 

I also then went fully rigid on my bike a few years back.

For me it's quite simply a very enjoyable and pleasurable bike to ride.

 

Now for the box in me to manifest himself.

 

I am getting so irritated with all these posers that are starting to ride SS bikes.

Nowadays it's all about the helmet and clothes you wear when you ride one.

Most people try and shove the SS thing so deep down people throats that they actually scare people off.

Comments like "gears are for queers" and rubbish like that get's tossed around all over the place.

 

Go o a group ride and the dudes with their single speeds have the most arrogant and bloated ego's of the entire group.

 

For me, it's simply just another bike.

I closing I will say this.

 

The most attractive thing about riding a fully rigid SS speed at some of these events, is the challenges I face, for me it gives a great sense of personal achievement when I can finish a race on my SS without suffering too much.

I was getting to a point where every race or ride was just another race/ride.

The SS adds new challenges and excitement to my MTB experience.

 

Could not have said it better :thumbup:

[Doggone]

You're missing nothing if you still don't get it, go buy a bromponie doggone.

I love cycling so maybe you need to resd yhe question again.

 

I have s vintage mtb that I might convert to ss if I could understand why. At this point the build process, which I am sure to enjoy, is the only reason.

 

Btw I have various bromponies. They are transport. Cycling is a passion!

[4barlinkage]

I will share my single speed fascination form my perspective if you so please. I built myself a single speed a good few years back for some reasons of my own. I was intrigued. I was looking for a training bike. I was keen to see how much one could really achieve with one gear, reason for this, as a kid I rode my BMX to Corobrick and back over some stupid distances just to get a day in at the track during holidays. What then happened. I started riding my SS on my daily training rides, I quite enjoyed the challenge and entered one or two races. To my surprise I was able to achieve moderately good results against the geared bike riders and kept on wondering how far one could push the limits as to what was capable. My power went up, my leg speed went up. This was a good indication for me that riding a SS has some great benefits. I also became rather addicted to the feel of the bike and the simplicity of it. It was not long before I started doing marathons and ultra's on the SS. I am now so hooked on the bike that I feel rather stupid when I ride something with gears. My bike is rigid, yet again another attempt from my side to bring back some of the past. In the early 90's we raced fully rigid bikes and survived, I thought to myself, why not try it again. I also then went fully rigid on my bike a few years back. For me it's quite simply a very enjoyable and pleasurable bike to ride. Now for the box in me to manifest himself. I am getting so irritated with all these posers that are starting to ride SS bikes. Nowadays it's all about the helmet and clothes you wear when you ride one. Most people try and shove the SS thing so deep down people throats that they actually scare people off. Comments like "gears are for queers" and rubbish like that get's tossed around all over the place. Go o a group ride and the dudes with their single speeds have the most arrogant and bloated ego's of the entire group. For me, it's simply just another bike. I closing I will say this. The most attractive thing about riding a fully rigid SS speed at some of these events, is the challenges I face, for me it gives a great sense of personal achievement when I can finish a race on my SS without suffering too much. I was getting to a point where every race or ride was just another race/ride. The SS adds new challenges and excitement to my MTB experience.

 

Hey Dangle, why the hate?

 

People enjoy riding bikes whether they be downhillers, all-mountain riders, single-speeders or race-snakes.... I've given up up caring about how people act and react to different types of riders out on the trail. Just going to make you more miserable if this bothers you...

 

Say howzit, smile and keep riding... The trails too short to be stressed over who was riding a SS before it was cool...

[Iron]

Following on from Dangles awesome answer .

 

My first SS was a bike that was for commuting as I did not want to ride my race bike every day , I wanted something that was of no value to me and cheap to maintain.

 

what I found was a fast improvement in strength from ridding the SS, then I decided to do some longer rides to see what if .........??

 

as time has gone by I now have a new SS that I race / train on and ride more than both my other bikes put together . I'm at the point of considering selling my 29 carbon flash Cannondale to build up my dream SS .

 

there is no way to explain to people why once on a SS you enjoy it so much , but like anything in life you will love it or hate it but don't knock it till you have tried it.

Edited August 8, 2012 by Iron

[Wyatt Earp]

Hey Dangle, why the hate?

 

People enjoy riding bikes whether they be downhillers, all-mountain riders, single-speeders or race-snakes.... I've given up up caring about how people act and react to different types of riders out on the trail. Just going to make you more miserable if this bothers you...

 

Say howzit, smile and keep riding... The trails too short to be stressed over who was riding a SS before it was cool...

 

No one said hate.

Secondly, this is typical of those patronizing type of responses the posers like to give.

Thanks dad.

[Ed-Zulu]

Could not have said it better :thumbup:

I agree with this too.

 

I ride a 'multi-geared, bi-suspension' MTB, which I bought second hand. Where I live, there is plenty eucalyptus plantations and I ofter do my riding there. The other morning while grinding up a failry long uphill, Clapton was winding up his guit and I lost concentration, it happens, he's goood. Next thing I know this security guard from the mine crept up on me with his Indian made dikwiel, SS, nogal!

 

So we started flapping jaws, still on the uphill, about life, kids and other stuff people on bicycles talk about, yes, also the cold. What kept on distracting me was the neatness of the bars, no, 6 levers and buttons, one chianring front, one gear back...he was doing the same speed up the hill with little effort. I wasn't hating my ride eaither, my tool at the time is something I cherish, however, I don't ride a SS, but I believe it is pure cycling at its best!

 

SS'ing is as technical as the carbonfibre MTB/Road brigades out there, go check the discussions out, what gear ratio for this ride, what chain etc etc...it is just another form of riding and I believe Dangle has said it good. Like everyting out there, even SS'ing will attract as*holes and posers, however, they never last.

 

Cycling is king!

[divernick]

How friggin sweet is this bike?

I have to find a frame like this somewhere....

 

http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/233905774367445530_YUoz4EZi_f.jpg

[4barlinkage]

No one said hate. Secondly, this is typical of those patronizing type of responses the posers like to give. Thanks dad.

 

"I am getting so irritated with all these posers that are starting to ride SS bikes." - Maybe hate was a bad word to use here, but there's no happiness in this statement....

 

More bums on bikes is always going to be the winner Let the knobs take each other out and enjoy your ride... Guess I'm a patronizing poser...

 

See you on the trail

[Wyatt Earp]

"I am getting so irritated with all these posers that are starting to ride SS bikes." - Maybe hate was a bad word to use here, but there's no happiness in this statement....

 

More bums on bikes is always going to be the winner Let the knobs take each other out and enjoy your ride... Guess I'm a patronizing poser...

 

See you on the trail

 

I think you actually missed my entire point.

Here is the rub, you say bumbs on bikes.

I am all for that.

But when people have to force an issue and ultimately create little clicks, they lose the numbers.

 

Little exclusive clubs have never benefited an entire spectrum.

 

I have no cooking clue why someone needs to dress weird just to drill home the fact that they are different.

 

Unless of course it's at something like SSWC.

[Grebel]

How friggin sweet is this bike?

I have to find a frame like this somewhere....

 

http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/233905774367445530_YUoz4EZi_f.jpg

 

What I want to know is where do they get those wheels and tyres? Wouldn't mind doing a custom but it's gonna look silly with 26" wheels and slicks...

Edited August 8, 2012 by Grebel

[javadude]

I think you actually missed my entire point.

Here is the rub, you say bumbs on bikes.

I am all for that.

But when people have to force an issue and ultimately create little clicks, they lose the numbers.

 

Little exclusive clubs have never benefited an entire spectrum.

 

I have no cooking clue why someone needs to dress weird just to drill home the fact that they are different.

 

Unless of course it's at something like SSWC.

 

I totally agree with you. Its the same with the hipster fixie scene. They took the concept of riding a track bike on the road and turned it into a fad. The problem with fads is that they come and go. Before you know there is a fad backlash and those hipster dorks move onto the next fad for fear of being branded uncool. So much for being unique and original.

[Iron]

I totally agree with you. Its the same with the hipster fixie scene. They took the concept of riding a track bike on the road and turned it into a fad. The problem with fads is that they come and go. Before you know there is a fad backlash and those hipster dorks move onto the next fad for fear of being branded uncool. So much for being unique and original.

 

All i know is that after the SSWC there are going to be a whole lot a very nice SS's in the classifieds ...................