Loving life without gears...

[johannrissik]

I hear you...

 

My SS has certainly been around the block a few times.

 

Busy doing a bike room clean out and the SIR9 is sitting staring at me from the rail, unbuilt and bare. The scars, the raw spots, the scratches all reminded me of 'that RASA' or some other adventure where maintenance was not a problem.

 

Enjoy it Henning.

 

May it last forever

 

(If anyone has seen Steve Shapiro spinning through the forests and back roads in Cape Town on his bike.... Steel SS at a very tender age indeed)

SIR9, XT all round, Niner carbon fork = RASA dream

[Grey Hubs]

Sorry, I just don't get the SS....I have 11 other reasons to disagree

 

Guess I worry I can't go as fast or climb that hill unless I have a choice of gears...

[Spock]

Also not getting the SS. Never ridden one (except BMX in the 80's), but keen to try.

 

Perhaps I should emulate a SS on my 2x10 just to see how it feels?? I have a 34/22T up front and an 11-36t at the back. What gears should I select to closely match the average SS gearing?

 

Can anyone advise?

[dirtrider]

You cannot emulate a SS !!!! It's like getting into a Datsun and thinking you gonna do a GP race with it !!!

[lechatnoir]

You cannot emulate a SS !!!! It's like getting into a Datsun and thinking you gonna do a GP race with it !!!

 

haha. i read Datsun SS... got excited for a moment

[RocknRolla]

SS is a different way of riding.

Both has its merits, at the end of the day it's up to personal preference.

The rigid fork however will make you choose better lines and inevitably you will find better flow that'll make your riding so much more enjoyable.

 

As stated earlier, riding boven as your backyard on a SS will make you climb like a mountain goat. Enjoy, it's great when you show so much love for riding, the passion is part of the enjoyment.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shaper]

Also not getting the SS. Never ridden one (except BMX in the 80's), but keen to try.

 

Perhaps I should emulate a SS on my 2x10 just to see how it feels?? I have a 34/22T up front and an 11-36t at the back. What gears should I select to closely match the average SS gearing?

 

Can anyone advise?

Look at a 2:1 ratio as a starting point, so leave your gearing around 34 - 17 or 16.  Wont be as efficient as a SS because of the RD but you will get the idea and the change in riding style with a lot more standing and attacking of hills... also better if you on a hard tail.

 

You wont have the quietness of a SS because of the RD and chain slap, and try not to be tempted to flick the gears (tape the shifter so you can't change)... can be fun and will give you an idea

 

Have ridden plenty SS and enjoy gears too, both have a time and a place.

 

Oh and how do you know someone is riding a SS..... they will tell you 

[henningvr]

There is nothing to get about single speeding, just as there is nothing to get with freeriding, cyclocross, bmx, trials, enduro, DH, XC, road etc. People find what they like or prefer, for whatever reason, and then pursue that part of the sport. This is what makes cycling great, the diversity.

Back to geared vs. SS - of course I won't be nearly as fast as you on the flats, but I'll climb a hill with you any day.   

The urge to ride a SS comes from within your soul. It cannot be explained. It beckons you, it haunts you, it fills your sleep and it controls your days. If you don't have a SS - don't worry about it. Live your life with gears and let others live theirs without.

 

Ride what you want to ride for whatever reason you choose. If you're on a bike, any bike, and you're having fun, then you're doing it right.

[henningvr]

Oh and how do you know someone is riding a SS..... they will tell you 

Or they'll pass you on a climb

[DIPSLICK]

every bike has its place IMHO, when i commuted just for a cruise SS, when I commuted with IRON(ex hubber) I def. only used my geared bikes,,,,for those who know him you will understand, he made me bleed out of everything and he was  on a SS and I could have been on a E bike,

holidays I honestly would take dual for nice long rides, and my SS for quick jump on and have a jol, one thing the SS done was make me feel like a kid when ever I jumped on it, no doubt

[RockCoach]

Oh, so you're the guy I chatted to on the phone yesterday. 

[pietas]

To emulate SS: just get a decent ratio (34x20) and don't change gears for the whole ride. That way it won't cost you a cent to try it.

Not so easy to not change up or down but focus. After 5 years I still catch myself wanting to change gears at times.  

[fabes]

every bike has its place IMHO, when i commuted just for a cruise SS, when I commuted with IRON(ex hubber) I def. only used my geared bikes,,,,for those who know him you will understand, he made me bleed out of everything and he was on a SS and I could have been on a E bike,

holidays I honestly would take dual for nice long rides, and my SS for quick jump on and have a jol, one thing the SS done was make me feel like a kid when ever I jumped on it, no doubt

Amd what bike do you ride now DIPSLICK?

[DIPSLICK]

Amd what bike do you ride now DIPSLICK?

village bike,,, havent been on a bike for over a year,,,,*** sleg. this weekend is the plan

[henningvr]

Oh, so you're the guy I chatted to on the phone yesterday. 

That would be me yes.

[IH8MUD]

To emulate SS: just get a decent ratio (34x20) and don't change gears for the whole ride. That way it won't cost you a cent to try it.

Not so easy to not change up or down but focus. After 5 years I still catch myself wanting to change gears at times.  

 

That's what I did when I wanted to feel if I was going to waste my money on a single speed. 

Chose a ratio that was closest to my intended SS ratio. This was on a much heavier full suspension trail bike

. 

Rode all my rides in that one gear for about 2 weeks. Even some longer rides.

Some rides my cycling buddies did not even realise I have not shifted a gear in  the whole 50-km ride.

 

Bought and build up my 1st SS soon afterwards.

Busy with the 2nd one now.