Is it a trend, for the challenge, or the simplicity..............I just can't see the attraction??
(I am however rather unfit and probably spend far too much time in the granny going up very slowly 
Bike Forum
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Single Speed - What's the fuss
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Posted 1 year ago #
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offroad it is very hard work but on the road for a general riding machine its perfect
Posted 1 year ago # -
For many it's perfect off road too.
OP For some certainly it's faddism, many been doing it for 10+ years. For some it's a cult, for others it's a challenge or just something different.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's great for crappy muddy winter conditions, also fantastic on flowing single track.
I really like mine.
Also like me road SS too.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's less fuss really I do it in the winter when it gets wet and muddy.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm just about to convert my inbred to ss. Taking it to uni so can't be bothered with the maintenance, also think it'll be good for some winter training. Had an ss road bike and liked it so why not a mountain bike too?
Posted 1 year ago # -
SS is for attentionwhores, end of story!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Not a trend at all. It's been very common with MTBers for over a decade. And for roadies it's been in serious use for training and testing since the thirties(more fixed back then though)
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's just a nicer feeling - you have to try it and then it makes sense. I'm undecided for xc but for road I love it as it seems to have made my legs so much stronger in just two weeks. Forces you to work harder so it's great for fitness. Would be very tempted to run SS for downhill and that sort of thing - less likely to lose the chain and it's dead quiet
Posted 1 year ago # -
I come on here much less frequently than I used to but how come every time I do there is a thread like this?
Is it a marketing conspiracy?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I never used to understand it, but since riding bmx for the last 6 months non stop, I can. Just one less thing to worry about... I'm changing my xc mtb to having a chain device again, nothing to do with the fad that has started in here, just cause I want the extra security. I am tempted to go singlespeed for the winter too...
Posted 1 year ago # -
No fuss just a bit of fun.
No attention achieved riding mine, riding on my own in deserted mountains!
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's just a simple bike that is a pleasure to ride and easier to clean in the winter
If you live somewhere flattish they're ideal off road. If you live somewhere hilly it will make you stronger. Or kill you.
Don't make it any more complicated than that.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yep - it's a conspiracy alright!
In fairness I'm just interested, for off rd rather than on road.
Think I may even give it a go for fitness purposes, if it works - Tom your a genius - if not.........I'd think about chasing after you, but suspect I'll be too busy collapsing somewhere about 200yards up a climb! Posted 1 year ago # -
SS for off road - fixed for on, no fuss.
"simple is as simple does"Posted 1 year ago # -
No faff cycling, that's what it is. It's not hard or difficult, and is even better if you live in hilly areas. Just select your cogs accordingly.
I've been doing it since it was normal, then stupid, then cultish, then faddish, and now apparently attention-whoring.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It may be a trend, but certainly not a new one, as oldgit mentioned. My Dad used to compete in fixed wheel hill climb time trials back in the Thirties
Posted 1 year ago # -
SS is fine for off road too, it's different. Even though mud isn't a problem for me, I spent most of last winter training on a SS and the benefits now are incredible.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd think about chasing after you, but suspect I'll be too busy collapsing somewhere about 200yards up a climb!
I'm not saying its suddenly made me amazingly fit but I'm definitely noticing a difference. I used to struggle up the climbs at Cannock in my granny ring on the easiest gear, last weekend I could get up in 32-32 (1x9 style) which is a massive improvement for me
Only thing I don't like SS for is long gradual climbs, great for short and sharp though if you get a run up.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Ayatollahofniche - Member
SS is for attentionwhores, end of story!+1
we had a ss'er come out with us last year but then he stopped because he was always miles behind and could see we were gettin pi55ed off waiting in the cold. He has to keep getting off as well........
seemed pointless to me and a massive backward step...
Posted 1 year ago # -
if you have to ask...
i just find it more suitable than geared bikes for 90% of my riding.
Posted 1 year ago # -
For me it's just different and I choose to ride as I choose to ride a road bike some days. It doesn't make me faster or fitter, but sometimes my 5" full susser seams things boring and too easy. A rigid SS makes it more interesting and without gears or suspension it's a pure challenge.
Generally I choose the SS when riding alone or with big or slow groups. When riding with my faster mates or trail centres I take the full suss as the speed makes it fun.
Horses for courses really.Posted 1 year ago # -
i think we need a whole separate forum for the fortnightly 'whats the point in SS' debate
then perhaps another one for 'whats the point in having the same 'Whats the point in SS' debate every two weeks
Posted 1 year ago # -
There have been singlespeed "mountain bikes" for longer than there have been geared "mountain bikes".
Posted 1 year ago # -
There is definitely something very satisfactory about 1ers. some days I feel like riding my singlespeed.
Some days I ride one of the other bikes. They're all good.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Until you've tried it, you simply won't understand........
Posted 1 year ago # -
It's just a fad. I'd give it another ten or twenty years and it'll lose it's appeal.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Other SS STWers have impressed me with their riding and one persuaded me to try it. I was ill and bored enough to do the conversion. Four rides in so far...
It's an interesting change of pedalling and pumping style: somewhere between hard and impossible to climb all the way up steep hills off-road at the moment, but overall it's easier and quicker than I expected.
The effect of losing 2.5lb of drive train and the lower drag is like having it two gears easier without losing the ratio, and the quietness when charging downhill is eerie. Spinning out on flat terrain is a little frustrating, but I'm learning to chill out and look for pumping opportunities and preserving speed.
I'm going to stick with if for the autumn and see if I grow limbs like Popeye and a beard like Bluto. If I don't then it'll be Plan B - 1x9.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Ayatollahofniche - Member
SS is for attentionwhores, end of story!+1
we had a ss'er come out with us last year but then he stopped because he was always miles behind and could see we were gettin pi55ed off waiting in the cold. He has to keep getting off as well........
seemed pointless to me and a massive backward step...
It might just be that he wasn't a very fit rider
I've been passed by geared riders, but I've passed alot more. And I ain't no riding god.
Can we have a SS sticky topic or something so we don't have this question asked everyother day. Can't people use the search function. Then I suppose that wouldn't wind people up would it.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted 1 year ago #
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Enjoy riding mine especially in the crud. That's all I need really.
The only time it becomes a bit of a fag is long flat road sections. Love it otherwise - oddly, I reckon I can ride more technical stuff on it than geared. No idea why.
Posted 1 year ago # -
we had a ss'er come out with us last year but then he stopped because he was always miles behind ...
I've never been on a ride with a ss'er like that! They're always bloody fast (expect maybe on the downs, but then they're not slow).
I singlespeeded an old frame so I could take my dog out every night using the bike and not have to worry about cleaning it. The simplicity was a huge factor. As was the fact I could build it up without spending much money.
Wouldn't call myself a 'singlespeeder' though. Can't see myself using it on a big outing (yet!).Posted 1 year ago # -
but on the road for a general riding machine its perfect
Not round here, its just too hilly and although I don't mind getting off and walking off-road, I hate having to walk on the road Posted 1 year ago # -
but I'm learning to chill out and look for pumping opportunities and preserving speed.
See, buzz's comment here gives an inkling into most of what SS is for me. Yes its all riding a bike, but its a fundamentally different experience and attitude to riding that provides variety especially coupled with a geared bike.
Short stiff climbs? Attack them. I wouldn't do that on an FS, I'd spin. Technical climbing? Having to moderate power output so you don't spin out on those roots and rocks that the FS would just munch up. Having to negotiate a line though chop to preserve your momentum that on the FS you'd just blast.
Its about the difference for me. Thats why I have a 23lb SS HT and a 29lb geared FS - very different riding experiences over the same terrain.
Theres also the attraction of 'uncomplicated' riding, but I'm straying dangerously close to hair shirts, peace and love there.
Man.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have a SS road bike, and love it's simplicity. Only tried SS once or twice off-road (prior to buying the road bike), now I'm considering one as my next bike...
Posted 1 year ago #
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