s i n g l e s p e e d i n g

[rapiddescent]

I'm not quite in a minority of one (how ironic!) of k2/proflex riders who singlespeed.  Mike Hammer has a fabulous 29" wheeled Singular bike that because he's so tall - looks like a normal bike from a distance!

As you may recall I rode a K2 Razorback RS in the 2001 SingleSpeed world cup and in some UK/Euro champs; I stupidly rode an 856 with chubbies in the 2008 singlespeed world cup - it was too heavy and the chubbies were knackered so the bike was too short at the front end and impossible to ride on the steep rocks.

This year, I've built up an Oz that's been owned by a few folks on here.  It's built up to be light but is not as lightweight as the razorback - it does however, offer an extra inch of travel that will more suite my riding style.  I'm much better at riding off things (well, except my broken arm accident last week!) than up things and that's where I do well in SS events.

anyone else singlespeeding this year?  I think the worlds are in Durango - I'm not going this time but am going to the UK and possibly swedish singlespeeds
 

[Colin]

Singlespeeding? - Don't be daft!

If God had wanted us to ride in one gear he would not have given us Henry Sturmey and James Archer! <GRIN>

What forks are you going to be running on the Oz?

Hope that arm sorts itself out soon!

Col.

[orange]

I do a lot of singlespeeding - of my 6 bikes 2 are singlespeed. I won't get into the debate of advantages/disadvantages as frankly I can't be bothered as it would take too long. Suffice to say, either you get it or you don't and that's no slur on those that don't, it's just the way it is. It's a marmite thing.

[shovelon]

Good luck on that project.

What are you thinking of shock for the rear? Have to imagine a lot of monkey motion.

[willem]

I actually enjoyed an 856 SS for a year or so. It was a terrific "urban" bike for commuting to work or just blowing off steam when I couldn't get to the forest trails.

It was a real trick to get the chain length and the tensioner set right, but once I had it figured out it worked fine.

My latest SS project is a clever hardtail set up with sliding vertical dropouts. (Motobecane Outcast 26") It's no Proflex, but it get's me to work and back. Better still, it's a beautiful frame bought off clearance for less than $200. (Bikeisland.com)

[keith]

I'm afraid the singlespeed thing just makes me wonder .

[willem]

you're always in the right gear!

Seriously, it's incredibly fun. One of those things you have to try to understand...

[Spokes]

Ive still got a BMX if that counts 

[Matno]

I was shocked the first time I rode my single speed on singletrack trails here in New York. I really thought I would hate it, but wanted to give it a try just to say I had. Well, suffice it to say that I now ride my "boring" single-speed hardtail almost as much as my beloved K2/Proflex 5000. I lent it to a doctor friend whose fancy Specialized full suspension rig was in the shop, and he ended up riding it for almost 9 months! He liked it that much. There are still a few riding situations in which I wouldn't recommend single speed (like some of the rides I used to do in Utah that have really long ups and downs), but given the right trails, it can be awesome. Best part is that for just over $200, I have a solid trail bike that only weighs 23lbs! Hard to beat that! My only complaint is that when my friend borrowed it, he broke the cranks and replaced them with 180mm cranks. They are great for climbing power but don't have nearly enough ground clearance on the rocky, technical trails around here. On the other hand, the cranks he put on (and accompanying bottom bracket) cost more than the rest of the bike combined, so I'm not complaining!

[Colin]

, he broke the cranks and replaced them with 180mm cranks. They are great for climbing power but don't have nearly enough ground clearance on the rocky, technical trails around here. On the other hand, the cranks he put on (and accompanying bottom bracket) cost more than the rest of the bike combined, so I'm not complaining!

change the cranks for shorter ones and flog the expensive ones for a tidy profit = win/win situation! <GRIN>

Col.

[rapiddescent]

I'm booked in for the singlespeed uk's - just organising transport (getting one of those crazy japanese camper vans) and making sure others are coming.

I'll get some pictures of the OZ on here at the weekend!

callum

[sammydog]

I've got a SS that I use for racing when conditions aren't great. I tried to set my SS up based on an 855 but couldn't get it to work. I ended up settling on a Jamis Steel Hardtail.

Since the photo was taken I have ditched the DMR Tensioner and gone with a half link chain. Running a 32:17 ratio the tension is spot on.

[shovelon]

I

I'll get some pictures of the OZ on here at the weekend!

callum

Sweeeeet!

[jeffhop]

think im going to cry