You need to slow down to go up...

[henningvr]

This past weekend was my first true single speed outing, my single speed inauguration if you will. It solidified my decision to go SS, and I even enjoyed the one gear on hard climbs. I rode farm and district roads, as well as a lot of single track (Tranquilitas).

 

Several things that stood out for me:

 

- Simplicity. It is just me and my bike, no tech, no nothing. Not having to think about gear selection. Just pedal.

 

- It is quiet. Really quiet. Depending on where I ride, it is almost eerie. All I can hear is the humming of my tyres.

 

- Drive train efficiency. When you put the hammer down, the power is there. 

 

- I had no choice but to be aggressive. Either that, or push/walk all over the place like a tourist.

 

- It is possible to get up a mountain with one gear.

 

- The Sweet Spot. Once you realize that 'you need to slow down to go up', things begin to make sense. Soft pedaling is what some call it. Standing up out of the saddle, and finding the right cadence/pace (the Sweet Spot), and then keep doing it until you reach the top of the climb without killing yourself. I am by no means claiming to have this figured out, but I did manage to do several long and steep climbs this weekend without stopping. Yes, there were moments when I felt like my hart was going to climb through my rib cage and choke me to death. I would then 'slow down to go up.'

 

"Most of the riders I know that are single speed people are retarded odd birds. I would just scratch my head thinking “why torture yourself like that!?”  I could not grasp the reason of why someone would actually put themselves through it.  I think I get it now. Maybe." — Scott Thigpen (prior to starting the Tour Divide on a single speed)

 

I too think I get it now. Maybe. 

 

 [Disclaimer: I am a SS noob, and by no means do I claim to know wtf I am talking about. I just thought I'd share some post-weekend riding thoughts]

 

[Pikey]

Your disclaimer made me laugh... Nut job ????????????????. Sorry single speed nut job.

I don't get it,but have a few mates that do. Am curious though ????

[CogitoErgoSum]

Thanks. Very curious as well. Luckily I don't have the means for a SS n+1 now (my excuse and I am sticking with it!)

 

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[Vetseun]

This past weekend was my first true single speed outing, my single speed inauguration if you will. It solidified my decision to go SS, and I even enjoyed the one gear on hard climbs. I rode farm and district roads, as well as a lot of single track (Tranquilitas).

 

Several things that stood out for me:

 

- Simplicity. It is just me and my bike, no tech, no nothing. Not having to think about gear selection. Just pedal.

 

- It is quiet. Really quiet. Depending on where I ride, it is almost eerie. All I can hear is the humming of my tyres.

 

- Drive train efficiency. When you put the hammer down, the power is there. 

 

- I had no choice but to be aggressive. Either that, or push/walk all over the place like a tourist.

 

- It is possible to get up a mountain with one gear.

 

- The Sweet Spot. Once you realize that 'you need to slow down to go up', things begin to make sense. Soft pedaling is what some call it. Standing up out of the saddle, and finding the right cadence/pace (the Sweet Spot), and then keep doing it until you reach the top of the climb without killing yourself. I am by no means claiming to have this figured out, but I did manage to do several long and steep climbs this weekend without stopping. Yes, there were moments when I felt like my hart was going to climb through my rib cage and choke me to death. I would then 'slow down to go up.'

 

"Most of the riders I know that are single speed people are retarded odd birds. I would just scratch my head thinking “why torture yourself like that!?”  I could not grasp the reason of why someone would actually put themselves through it.  I think I get it now. Maybe." — Scott Thigpen (prior to starting the Tour Divide on a single speed)

 

I too think I get it now. Maybe. 

 

 [Disclaimer: I am a SS noob, and by no means do I claim to know wtf I am talking about. I just thought I'd share some post-weekend riding thoughts]

 

ss_clean_1.jpg

I love riding races on my SS. Firstly all pressure to perform is gone. You are on a single speed rigid hardtail bike. But I have to admit that I get big pleasure out of kicking okes asses that are on geared suspension bikes.

[BaGearA]

Why do you have a chain stay protector on?

 

Surley the chain does not have enough slack to hit the chainstay?

[henningvr]

You obviously did not read my disclaimer... Now I will leave it on. See, I do the opposite what people tell me. "Don't get a rigid fork!" - I bought  Niner rigid. "Don't go single speed, it will kill you and you will hate it!" - I went full SS (even the rear hub is SS).

 

So, "Why do you have a chain stay protector on?" - because I like it, and it makes me look like a nut job.  

[BenReaper]

I love riding races on my SS. Firstly all pressure to perform is gone. You are on a single speed rigid hardtail bike. But I have to admit that I get big pleasure out of kicking okes asses that are on geared suspension bikes.

I too argue like you Vetseun,

 

If I kick someone's arse when on the single speed I gloat alot, especially if I pass them at speed up a hill while they are spinning in a low gear, then I like to shout "single speed legs bubba, man up and get some!"

 

When they pass me on the downhills or on the flats I just pull up my shoulders and say "Good for you! I'm on a single speed, technically I'm not even in the race!"

 

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[Hairy]

I need a ss again. .....

[the nerd]

Its the one constant bike in my small collection... 

 

whats funny is the collection has now 1 geared bike and 2 SS's... 

[Pikey]

Its the one constant bike in my small collection... 

 

whats funny is the collection has now 1 geared bike and 2 SS's...

 

you have a geared bike,the shame of it ????

[King_Crispy]

In the beginning you slow down.

Then you get used to it.

Then you speed up.

Then you kick ass. You just have to learn how to conserve energy on the longer flats then you're ready to dish out some pain to the geared racers

[henningvr]

In the beginning you slow down.

Then you get used to it.

Then you speed up.

Then you kick ass. You just have to learn how to conserve energy on the longer flats then you're ready to dish out some pain to the geared racers

Right - Warthog (fellow hubber) and I did just that at the Tour de Farm. Some chaps were ribbing us about "not having gears" - which is technically incorrect - we do have *a* gear. Anyway, on the first climb we obliterated them.

[Richard29]

Ss taught me how to have fun on the bike again ..... rigid taught me how to choose the right lines and learnt technical terrain in no time..... enjoy the ss simplicity I love it .... pity I don't have the guts to ride the ultra marathons with it ...... but you won't regret ss

[henningvr]

Still going strong 4 months later, and loving every bit. See here: https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/93073-where-has-your-bike-taken-you-today/page-587?do=findComment&comment=3026828

[Hairy]

Does a roadie sa count. ....if that is the case I am still in the game.

 

A short while ago I only had a roadie and a Mtb ss.....

 

Somehow there always seems to be a ss in the mix. ....the only rigid sa I will ride is a roadie ss, my wrists won't like a rigid on the mountains

[henningvr]

Hairy, my motto is "It doesn't matter what you ride. As long as you are riding."