I've a few questions for the panel about singlespeeds:

Are they really more muck-resistant than geared setups (getting tired of chainsuck & shifting problems riding in Pennine muck)?
How easy is getting the chainline sorted?
What sort of ratio would be good (bearing in mind I don't want to kill my knees)?
Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?

Ta

Andy

Are they really more muck-resistant than geared setups (getting tired of chainsuck & shifting problems riding in Pennine muck)? Yup

How easy is getting the chainline sorted? What chainline adjustment?? On a ss specific frame it's reet

What sort of ratio would be good (bearing in mind I don't want to kill my knees)?
Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear? 32:16 is how most roll. Facial hair is not a requirement

Simples 😀

Yes
Fairly
2 to 1 (32:16 etc) or 32:18 depending on knees/terrain
Whatever

Are they really more muck-resistant than geared setups (getting tired of chainsuck & shifting problems riding in Pennine muck)?

Yes

How easy is getting the chainline sorted?

So long as you get different size spacers to go on the free hub it's easy.

What sort of ratio would be good (bearing in mind I don't want to kill my knees)?

personal choice – I run 32:18 rather than 32:16 as I prefer to have a higher cadence but now I'd run odd ratios to even chain wear out maybe 32:17.

Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?

No but I'm sure it helps.

Dunno
Fairly (but not sure it's such a big problem, equally ss specific chain wheels)
32:16 to start with
Clean shaven, chisel jawed, Nº1 haircut (dunno)

but now I'd run odd ratios to even chain wear out maybe 32:17.

❓ have i missed something in singlespeed school?

Yeah proper muck resistant, haven't cleaned mine since I got in in May.

I run a 32:16, but live in Cheshire, but a 32:17 may be better in the Pennines.

Chain line is dead easy, especially if you run a SS specific hub.

I've got some smallish sidies and occasionally don't shave for 3 days.

Oops, meant chain ring / sprocket wear not chain wear.

Thanks all.

Another stupid question:

Assuming I'd be using a frame with vertical dropouts & a fixed BB, what chain tensioner do people recommend?

Andy

BLING = White Ind Eccentric Eric hub OR eccentric bb cup thingy

NORMAL = push / pull tensioner (on one/surley etc)

CHEAP O = old rear mech

GOD = magic ratio

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

Magic ratio. A half-link increases the chances of finding one. I use a ghost ring when I need a tensioner.

i'd recommend gusset tensioner from charlie the bike monger. best one ime.

I bought the On-One tensioner because it was the cheapest and it works prefectly well.

Are they really more muck-resistant than geared setups (getting tired of chainsuck & shifting problems riding in Pennine muck)?

Yes, that's pretty much the only reason I have one.

How easy is getting the chainline sorted?

If you're not silly enough to use a SS specific hub and just use a normal back wheel with sprocket/spacers then it's very easy.

What sort of ratio would be good (bearing in mind I don't want to kill my knees)?

Start off around 2:1 – 32/17 for me – find a gear that works on your geared bike and do that.

Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?

No, luckily as I look stupid if/when I grow a beard.

you been singlepeeing long

❓

Q) Are they really more muck-resistant than geared setups?
A) yes

Q) How easy is getting the chainline sorted?
A) don't know – it's never been a problem

Q) What sort of ratio would be good
A) try 32:16 to see how hard it is – then a 32:18 if you'd like the climbs to be a bit easier.

Q) Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?
A) optional – i wouldn't say i've got a beard, but i do have face-fuzz

(if you ease youself into it (32:18) and build up slowly, and allow yourself to walk the really steep bits, it really won't damage your knees)

Doesn't the muck resistability depend on whether you've got a tensioner or not ?
Having used a Rohloff on a full sus and various hardtails, I'd go for an EBB or sliding dropouts every time for simplicity and reliability.

Can't say that I've ever noticed any difference with or without a tensioner other than less noise and easier wheel removal on a SS specific frame.

Just returned to SS'ing, doubt I'll be returning to gears any time soon.

Things that tough in the biz then KT? Next you'll be telling me you've sold the tw@-wagon 🙂

I've been thinking about going one stage further and doing away with the chain altogether.

ratherbeintobago – Member
I've a few questions for the panel about singlespeeds:
…Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?

It is preferable if the single speed girls don't have facial hair. 🙂

Assuming I'd be using a frame with vertical dropouts & a fixed BB, what chain tensioner do people recommend?

I used to use the DMR STS, simply because it was unsprung. I had tried the old Surly design, but I couldn't get the spring tight enough to hold the chain on through the rough stuff. Sure, with the bolt in one, you have to adjust the tension every once in a while, but you'd do that if you take the wheel out anyway.

The DMR one, however, won't take a 1/8" chain – but a quick session with a hacksaw and a file opened the groove out enough to do it.

Then I bought a proper SS frame and it is lush!

How easy is getting the chainline sorted?
What sort of ratio would be good (bearing in mind I don't want to kill my knees)?
Is facial hair also a requirement for riding a bike with one gear?

a) very easy
b) Depends where you live, start 2:1 26er or 2:1 plus 2 teeth 29er
c) Yes or no depending on wether you want facial hair

All easy.

Don't bother hunting for a magic ratio, get a chain tensioner.

Much better for mud (chain stays well away from the back wheel which helps a lot).

34×18 for me on the 26er and 32×18 on the 29er. I can get up most stuff but if I can't I get off and walk.

Facial hair – you should definately grow a handlebar moustache and a weird goatie in combination – then shave your head! 😆

Ratio really does depend where you ride I think.

As your riding inthe Pennines I'd also suggest a 32:16. You spin out at around 17mph… which is annoying, but you can still climb easy enough with that ratio.

I returned to SS'ing about 18months ago.

I used a 32:18 to start with as my fitness was rubbish – Last spring and summer was full of pain! Now on 32:16 which is about right on Mendip.

17mph is a bit fast for spinning out on 32:16. I reckon its closer to 14-15mph, but whats a couple of mph between forum posters eh?

😉

😆 Have to admit that was a guess. Trying to keep peddling at 20+mph is funny, and actually just about do-able…

the On-One tensioners are cheap on Ebay £8!

Don't get one of these –

They are crap (IME)

Isn't it about time there was a s/s faq?

No disrespect to the OP but this crops up every week (at least) and as people seem incapable of using the search function, either a faq or link to Sheldon would cover all the areas.

Isn't it about time there was a s/s faq?

That would seem eminently sensible.

I have some webhosting so could host a page on it if that would be helpful.

Andy

Already done

http://www.mtbr.com/ssfaqcrx.aspx

RBIT

No real need Andy – it's all HERE – Sheldon Brown Singlespeed

If you weren't on the other side of the Pennines I'd offer to help you sort it out as I have numerous spares to get chainline, gearing etc. spot on, built up over years of trying out different options.

Edit – forgot about that one Clubber 💡

Would you say it took you about 6 months to fully adapt to SS?

No – about one minute 😉

fully adapt to SS

Fully adapt to just pedalling, steering and braking?

It's more the SS attitude that takes the time to pick up – you know – the casual 'I'm better than you because I don't use gears' one 😉

It's more the SS attitude that takes the time to pick up – you know – the casual 'I'm better than you because I don't use gears' one

And when you do the moment is generally celebrated with the application of a 'one f****** speed' or 'gears are for queers' sticker on your chain stay.

Indeed. Lame.

Not to mention the grand sticker of all 'Gears are for F****** C*** W******'.