Taking SS'ing to whole new level

[Flippa]

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

 

Dammit!!!! I thought I was the only one thinking that.

[Doggone]

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.

 

Thanks Dangle. This gives me a clearer idea. I seem to have been too close to the receiving end of the hype and as I dont buy the nonsense I was looking for someone who would describe the cycling aspect and not the posing. Thanks for taking the time and giving some insight.

 

I now need to start looking at which bike to convert.. . . . . . . . .the build will be fun even if I still dont get the ss riding.

[Iron]

Dammit!!!! I thought I was the only one thinking that.

 

its gonna be a shop feast for us ............

[HandH]

I so would!!!!

[4barlinkage]

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 do get your point, just tired of all the anti this or that because he, she or they did it first or last or whatever...

 

Just as school uniforms create solidarity in schools, I think that the whole dress up thing for the SS events creates a similar sense of solidarity. Why not all just look like knobs

 

If guys want to ride their unique stuff on the trail, then let them do it! What makes you ride is what keeps you going. For you - Challenging yourself on different terrain on a SS. For me- just getting out and riding one of my bikes in the terrain it's intended for. For some random SSer - looking like a knob and having a good time being in the spotlight.

 

Strangely enough, I think that having this whole 'dress-up' thing in the SS community has helped it grow as it appears fun and exciting to newbies. I have definitely noticed an increase over the last three years since I've been riding my SS.

 

You will always have unique and different cliques in cycling.... Niner brigade... Rigid riders and dirt roadies.... Swear by 26ers... anti-niners.... to name a few. This keeps things fun and interesting although they can get a bit heated at times....

 

Got to take it with a pinch of salt

[4barlinkage]

I so would!!!!

 

This is porn!!!!

[Wyatt Earp]

I do get your point, just tired of all the anti this or that because he, she or they did it first or last or whatever...

 

Just as school uniforms create solidarity in schools, I think that the whole dress up thing for the SS events creates a similar sense of solidarity. Why not all just look like knobs

 

If guys want to ride their unique stuff on the trail, then let them do it! What makes you ride is what keeps you going. For you - Challenging yourself on different terrain on a SS. For me- just getting out and riding one of my bikes in the terrain it's intended for. For some random SSer - looking like a knob and having a good time being in the spotlight.

 

Strangely enough, I think that having this whole 'dress-up' thing in the SS community has helped it grow as it appears fun and exciting to newbies. I have definitely noticed an increase over the last three years since I've been riding my SS.

 

You will always have unique and different cliques in cycling.... Niner brigade... Rigid riders and dirt roadies.... Swear by 26ers... anti-niners.... to name a few. This keeps things fun and interesting although they can get a bit heated at times....

 

Got to take it with a pinch of salt

 

And the segregation continues.

Let me guess, you ride with baggy shorts, big shirts ,funny glasses and a strange helmet.

 

As someone already said, "fad"

When the fad has worn out, I will still be riding my SS whilst the posers are telling the guys on the golf course how they should be embracing wooden clubs.

 

Sorry for this, but my box suit on again.

 

You are either very young, or very gullible or very new to the sport.

 

It would actually be easier if you change your handle to FSR.

Edited August 8, 2012 by Dangle

[Wyatt Earp]

FSR

 

I found this.

 

May I suggest you apply your own logic to yourself.

 

 

 

Just throw the Road bike away and buy an MTB. No groups to suck wheels and worry about which knob is going to blow a fresh greeny onto your new 'SKY' team kit even though you're riding a specialized.... Ride for fun dammit!

 

MTB - Much more fun in my opinion.....

Edited August 8, 2012 by Dangle

[nathrix]

Thanks Dangle. This gives me a clearer idea. I seem to have been too close to the receiving end of the hype and as I dont buy the nonsense I was looking for someone who would describe the cycling aspect and not the posing. Thanks for taking the time and giving some insight.

 

I now need to start looking at which bike to convert.. . . . . . . . .the build will be fun even if I still dont get the ss riding.

 

Get one of these, you'll have lots of fun

 

http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/P7232188.jpg

 

http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/P7232178.jpg

 

Here's the link http://reviews.mtbr....08/P7232178.jpg

[4barlinkage]

And the segregation continues.

Let me guess, you ride with baggy shorts, big shirts ,funny glasses and a strange helmet.

 

As someone already said, "fad"

When the fad has worn out, I will still be riding my SS whilst the posers are telling the guys on the golf course how they should be embracing wooden clubs.

 

Sorry for this, but my box suit on again.

 

You are either very young, or very gullible or very new to the sport.

 

It would actually be easier if you change your handle to FSR.

 

Ha ha! Thanks King Dangle!

 

Man of much wisdom and cycling greatness!

 

Yes I'm very young... 24 (Been riding since I was 7)

 

Correct - I do ride in baggies, Normal cycling tops(like the pockets on the back - come in handy), no glasses(irritate my eyes), Bell Sweep XC helmet(funny as there is a piece missing on the back ). You missed Camelback though.... Always ride with a Camelback - Even on the road with a borrowed road bike

 

Also a mass of segregation as I own a downhill bike, a marathon bike, all-mountain bike and heaven forbid... an SS... Soon to add a Reynolds 853 steel 650B hardtail to my collection

 

Fad - Not for me... I ride my SS for the simplicity and training advantage it gives me. So do many other riders out there....

 

Confused about changing my "handle" to FSR.... Let me know how to do it and I may just

[HandH]

I am sooooooooooo lus to build a SS cruizer now

Bmx back wheel, 29' front , longest fork possible, low @ss seat

Gonna go everywhere withthis thing

 

Quick Corel Draw plan

[nathrix]

I do get your point, just tired of all the anti this or that because he, she or they did it first or last or whatever...

 

Just as school uniforms create solidarity in schools, I think that the whole dress up thing for the SS events creates a similar sense of solidarity. Why not all just look like knobs

 

If guys want to ride their unique stuff on the trail, then let them do it! What makes you ride is what keeps you going. For you - Challenging yourself on different terrain on a SS. For me- just getting out and riding one of my bikes in the terrain it's intended for. For some random SSer - looking like a knob and having a good time being in the spotlight.

 

Strangely enough, I think that having this whole 'dress-up' thing in the SS community has helped it grow as it appears fun and exciting to newbies. I have definitely noticed an increase over the last three years since I've been riding my SS.

 

You will always have unique and different cliques in cycling.... Niner brigade... Rigid riders and dirt roadies.... Swear by 26ers... anti-niners.... to name a few. This keeps things fun and interesting although they can get a bit heated at times....

 

Got to take it with a pinch of salt

Good post.

Don't forget the shortcuts you are allowed to take at the ss events, and then we get awarded by downing a beer for doing that In other races we'll get disqualified

 

On Sunday a group of us rode to Northern Farms, did a loop, ate an bacon & egg roll (or two ), took an easy ride back to Midrand and had a lekker cappuccino before everyone headed home. So what I'm saying is that we enjoyed riding our bicycles, had fun and didn't go tell the world how hard the ride was and how many kilometers we rode with this or that tempo or any of that nonsense. We enjoyed it and that's why we enjoy riding our bikes, ss, geared or whatever floats your boat.

[Wyatt Earp]

 

 

Confused about changing my "handle" to FSR.... Let me know how to do it and I may just

 

The 4-bar linkage system is more commonly known as FSR.

[DR ◣◢]

How do you know somebody rides a single speed?

 

They tell you

 

For me I wanted to see what the whole SS things was about. Borrowed a demo bike from a really cool guy and took it for a ride. Fell in love with 29er, rigid, steel, single speed etc etc all in the same ride. Built a similar bike to the one I rode and I love my SS.

 

The hook for me is the simplicity and the challenge. Not the clickyness that comes with it.

[Stretched@Birth]

Dangle, Iron and others all make very valid comments.

 

My view, not that anyone cares:

 

If you're curious, try it for yourself, you will find your reason to like it, or you may dislike it completely.

 

Wear what you like, I don't get why some people are so anti Lycra, it fits the purpose and has many years of developmet to work well for cycling.

 

As long as you're enjoying it, you're on the bike, and riding (without the attitude), who cares.

 

Oh yes, I'm also looking forward to the classifieds after SSWC

 

And my reason is still valid, because I'm lui gat!

[DR ◣◢]

My wife is starting to love the SS idea. For all her rides pre SS SA Champs we locked her bike to 32x20. She really loved not having to worry about gears.

 

Post SSWC I would love to get a SS 29er for her. Will keep an eye on the classifieds.

Edited August 8, 2012 by S.I.R Maxxis