The Wheel World

Single speed... Why single speed?

Single speed is an cheap alternative to running gears if you do a particular type of riding or have a aprticular riding style. Single speed is becoming increasingly popular in modern mountainbiking and many dirtjumpers, street riders and in some cases xc and road riders run a single speed gear system. Single speed is also referred to as an SS system.

What is so good about running single speed?


Advantages:


Less maintanence

Cheaper to run (you dont have to worry about replacing derailleurs, casettes, shifters, cables ect.

No more chain slap

Can pedal backwards effectivly without the chain slipping

You do not have to worry about the chain clipping when pedaling forward

You do not need to run a chainguide

Increases fitness levels and stamina


Disadvantages


May have trouble making it up hills

Once you reach a certain speed you will not be able to pedal


Single speed kits

Single speed kits are very common to find these days and you can buy them for both verticle and horisontal drop out frames.

Horizontal dropouts

Once you have purchased a single speed kit with spacers, a lock ring and a sprocket.Pictured below.



To install the singlespeed kit read this information on parktool.com

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=48

Once you have removed the cassette simpily place the spacers on the hub and place the scprocket imbetween the spacers. Make sure it is inline with your chainring to provide the best possible chainline so it will work smoothly. Place the rest of the spacers on hub and tighten up the lockring.

Replace your standard 8-9spd chain with a bmx chain which should only cost around 10-20 dollars from most biccycle stores.

Line your wheel up and you are ready to go.

Verticle dropouts

Verticle dropouts use the same method as horizontal dropouts to get the single speed kit onto the hub, but require a tensioner, similar to a derailleur but with one jockey wheel and its roll is to keep the tension in the chain and to keep the chain on the cog.



To install the tensioner simpily screw it into your derailleur hanger and your ready to roll.

Single speed hubs

Single speed hubs are exactly what the names states, they are hubs designed for single speed use and are not compatible with any cassettes. these hubs are better than simpily using spacers because it spreads the load out equally on the bearings, you can also tension spokes equally as tight without worrying about buckeling your rims. (Thanks to nicho for that one)

Anyway, if there is anything I missed then reply in this thread.

Another major advantage of running a SS is the efficiency of the drivetrain as compared to a geared bike. As the chainline is always straight and does not run though any derailleurs the gear is much easier to turn, in other words you can turn over a bigger gear with less effort and therefore go faster (when the terrain or fitness suits)

Don't believe me. Jump on a SS and go for a pedal then get in the same gear on a geared bike and compare. Difference is definitely noticeable!!

Also, as the rear wheel only has one cog rather than 8,9,10.... the wheel has little, to no dishing (i.e. spokes on drive side stick out similar to distance to the none drive side, looks much more balanced) creating a stronger wheel (which it needs to be considering the force put through it when grinding up hills)

Also, for the weight weenies you can't bet a SS for gram counting!!!

More info here, incase you're interested or just bored and killing time. Someone has put a bit of time into this article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-speed_bicycle or if you dispise the SS concept then this thread is also open to debate

I should also add here that this thread is for discussion about single speed. Please don't let it degenerate into a slanging match (even though I'm a gear person myself)

Uhh, "Plow King" - SS will not increase your fitness level or stamina. Pushing a larger ring will give you more muscle mass in your legs thus more power but will not do anything for muscle endurance. Much like weight training, ie: Low reps and high weight or high reps and low weight... it just depends on what kind of ratio you're running.

So you're saying riding up a big hill on single speed in a 32-14 ratio is not going to make you fitter than riding up a big hill on a 32-32 ratio?

Nice one.

No, It's going to make your legs stronger, spinning faster can make your aerobically fitter

I'm of the belief that SS will increase endurance as riding on the flat (e.g any ride at dasiy hill) you tend to spin a lot more due to the lower gearing (and develop a better smoother pedal stroke) and therefore there is a lot of high rep, low weight work to complement the low rep high weight work of climbing.

I'm interested in turning my Trek Fuel into a single speed. What difficulties will I encounter with SS on a full susser?

Also do you all agree with the 2:1 ratio for a starting point for new ridersto SS?

cheers
Pagey

The only problems on a full suspension bike with single speed is chain tension, but if you use your derailleur or a spring loaded tensioner such as the DMR Tension Seeker (around $120), you will have no worries. To find out how long your chain needs to be, take the shock out of your frame, then put the chain on and see how long it has to be when the bike is bottomed out. Use this tension. The spring loaded tensioner will take up the slack when just riding.

I'd recommend using your existing derailleur. Cheaper, and probably won't slap as much if its a SRAM.

2:1 was a way too soft for me, but my legs are pretty big, so if you are only just starting, I'd say that 2:1 will be fine for you, but experiment. For the record, I started on 32:14 and used my bike for all round stuff, never pedalled out except fanging down big hills or long flats, but still had sufficient acceleration.

Thanks Matt. Good info. I have been rinding enduros for the last 2 years so I am undecided on the right ratio. I normally ride a lot a Lyterfield, Officer, Castlemaine, Beechworth.

also I was thinking of riding SS at the Weeribe 12hr (3 man team). Any thoughts on a good ratio for that track?

cheers
Pagey