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February 17th, 2005, 12:56 AM
Most of us have been there – either watching or participating in a mountain bike race, as the announcer bellows the stats of the next rider coming through the finish line. But the announcer takes special note that the rider is on a single speed bike. Heads turn and the crowd gasps, “He’s on a single speed bike!” as peers and fellow cyclists understand the undeniable increased strength and intensity required for single speeding, especially when in a race with geared bikes. Thus, the single speed rider enters new heights of peer respect. And so, we enter a new arena in the sport of cycling...
by Wendy Super
The single speed bicycle, also called “SS,” has actually been around for decades. It eventually gave way to geared bikes and easier cycling, only to come back around again in popularity for its simplicity, lower maintenance costs, and fewer mechanical difficulties.
Back to the Basics
Over the past number of years, cyclists have become frustrated with bicycle manufacturers’ ever-changing components that are no longer compatible with the previous years’ equipment. And should we even mention components that fail? Grrr! All this also hurts the wallet.
Time to get back to the basics! Riders now want simplicity in riding, lower maintenance costs, and fewer moving parts that can go wrong. Single speeds have answered that call, loud and clear. SS bikes typically have rigid forks and no suspension. There is only one front chainring and one rear cog. With only one gear, there is no need for shifters and derailleurs. The SS bike is simple and streamlined.
In addition to this cheaper alternative to cycling, single speed riders also get a better workout since this type of riding involves more of the entire body than just regular mountain biking. SS equipment lasts longer, and the rider has a more enjoyable biking experience without the aggravation of fighting gears and slipping chains. (And of course, let’s not forget the “cool factor” during races and other biking events.) With single speed, it’s double the fun!
However, single speed biking is not for everyone. Running one gear is more physically demanding and is not as versatile for roads and difficult terrain. It takes time to adapt to this different kind of riding. It’s often more difficult to gain speed and conquer steep hills, which require you to stand up out of the saddle.
Nevertheless, single speed riding makes one a better, stronger rider.
Building a Single Speed Bike
So, you’re ready to convert, huh? Well, it’s fairly simple and costs only about $50! If you want to convert an old bike of yours to a single speed, you need to remove those shifters and derailleurs, for starters! Then, you’ll need to remove the small and large front chainrings so you’re down to the middle chainring. After that, you’ll need just a single cog for the rear and add spacers where the old cogs were.
Typically, a single speed bike’s ratio is 2-1 or less, such as a 32–tooth front chainring and 16-tooth rear cog. You could also have a setup of 32/17 or 32/18. Many existing mountain bikes that are being converted to single speed have a front chainring of 34 teeth, so you may have to go with a 34/17 ratio.
If you have vertical dropouts (typically on a 1990’s mountain bike), you will need to shorten your chain or use a chain tensioner to take up the slack. If you have horizontal dropouts, a chain tensioner is not needed. (See Figures 2 and 3 below, photos courtesy of mtbr.com.)
As an added tip for single speeding, bigger tires add a little more cushioning to the ride.
If you’re interested in purchasing a new SS bike instead of converting, there are a few manufacturers that produce SS’s, such as Cannondale, Specialized, Kona, and Surly. New SS bikes typically have rigid forks and V-brakes. Some models do come with disc brakes. A new entry level single speed bike costs around $430. A decent SS model will cost approximately $800.
I Want More!
If you want more information on the world of single speed bicycling, the following associated web sites have a plethora of resources: http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml - The end all, be all FAQ site about single speeds.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html - Q&A regarding SS conversion, SS parts, conversion instructions.
http://www.sswc05.com - Information regarding the Single Speed World Championship, to be held at State College Pennsylvania this year.
http://www.63xc.com - Informational site about off-road single speed biking, including FAQs, biking stories, ride information, and equipment reviews.
http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com - Commentaries on single speed issues, cycling book reviews, SS bike reviews, biking stories.
http://www.carsrcoffins.com - A Minneapolis-based site, where the single speed freaks at Cars R Coffins may have placed this city as the SS capital of the US.
Happy Trails, Single Speed Style!
Many thanks to Joe Whitehair, who contributed a wealth of information for this article.
by Wendy Super
The single speed bicycle, also called “SS,” has actually been around for decades. It eventually gave way to geared bikes and easier cycling, only to come back around again in popularity for its simplicity, lower maintenance costs, and fewer mechanical difficulties.
Back to the Basics
Over the past number of years, cyclists have become frustrated with bicycle manufacturers’ ever-changing components that are no longer compatible with the previous years’ equipment. And should we even mention components that fail? Grrr! All this also hurts the wallet.
Time to get back to the basics! Riders now want simplicity in riding, lower maintenance costs, and fewer moving parts that can go wrong. Single speeds have answered that call, loud and clear. SS bikes typically have rigid forks and no suspension. There is only one front chainring and one rear cog. With only one gear, there is no need for shifters and derailleurs. The SS bike is simple and streamlined.
In addition to this cheaper alternative to cycling, single speed riders also get a better workout since this type of riding involves more of the entire body than just regular mountain biking. SS equipment lasts longer, and the rider has a more enjoyable biking experience without the aggravation of fighting gears and slipping chains. (And of course, let’s not forget the “cool factor” during races and other biking events.) With single speed, it’s double the fun!
However, single speed biking is not for everyone. Running one gear is more physically demanding and is not as versatile for roads and difficult terrain. It takes time to adapt to this different kind of riding. It’s often more difficult to gain speed and conquer steep hills, which require you to stand up out of the saddle.
Nevertheless, single speed riding makes one a better, stronger rider.
Building a Single Speed Bike
So, you’re ready to convert, huh? Well, it’s fairly simple and costs only about $50! If you want to convert an old bike of yours to a single speed, you need to remove those shifters and derailleurs, for starters! Then, you’ll need to remove the small and large front chainrings so you’re down to the middle chainring. After that, you’ll need just a single cog for the rear and add spacers where the old cogs were.
Typically, a single speed bike’s ratio is 2-1 or less, such as a 32–tooth front chainring and 16-tooth rear cog. You could also have a setup of 32/17 or 32/18. Many existing mountain bikes that are being converted to single speed have a front chainring of 34 teeth, so you may have to go with a 34/17 ratio.
If you have vertical dropouts (typically on a 1990’s mountain bike), you will need to shorten your chain or use a chain tensioner to take up the slack. If you have horizontal dropouts, a chain tensioner is not needed. (See Figures 2 and 3 below, photos courtesy of mtbr.com.)
As an added tip for single speeding, bigger tires add a little more cushioning to the ride.
If you’re interested in purchasing a new SS bike instead of converting, there are a few manufacturers that produce SS’s, such as Cannondale, Specialized, Kona, and Surly. New SS bikes typically have rigid forks and V-brakes. Some models do come with disc brakes. A new entry level single speed bike costs around $430. A decent SS model will cost approximately $800.
I Want More!
If you want more information on the world of single speed bicycling, the following associated web sites have a plethora of resources: http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml - The end all, be all FAQ site about single speeds.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html - Q&A regarding SS conversion, SS parts, conversion instructions.
http://www.sswc05.com - Information regarding the Single Speed World Championship, to be held at State College Pennsylvania this year.
http://www.63xc.com - Informational site about off-road single speed biking, including FAQs, biking stories, ride information, and equipment reviews.
http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com - Commentaries on single speed issues, cycling book reviews, SS bike reviews, biking stories.
http://www.carsrcoffins.com - A Minneapolis-based site, where the single speed freaks at Cars R Coffins may have placed this city as the SS capital of the US.
Happy Trails, Single Speed Style!
Many thanks to Joe Whitehair, who contributed a wealth of information for this article.