I've got a Specialized Singlecross which I've owned for about 8 months but never really got on with. All my off road riding is on the Downs around Brighton and, to be frank, the standard gearing is just too tall for me.
So, do I drop the chainring size (which I think's going to need a new crank as well as it's got a 130bcd on there and the drop from 42 to 38 isn't going to be enough) and give it another chance or just sell it on and write it off as experience?
My concern is that if I drop the gearing to a 'up the Downs friendly' ratio I'll end up with something unusable on the flat bits where it currently feels quite quick.
Anyone else tried a smaller chainring on a singlespeed cross bike - was it worth the effort - and what size did you drop down to?
38 on the front, something bigger than what you've got on the rear?
If that works on ups but noot on the flats how about flip rear hub.
Or dear i say it, get a hone rear hub and mech and run a cassette on the rear. You might have to tweak the hub and frame to make it fit. but it will in the end.
You could probably make quite noticeable change by changing the chain ring and free wheel. Might as well, be cheaper than the loss you'll make on the bike.
Oh, DMR do a set of chain tugs with a hanger on, that give you a 1x9 setup on it?
Alfine?
well I thought about an Alfine rear end but that's gettign expensive. on-one seem to be getting some 3 speed sturmey archer jobs in which maybe enough...
sjs do this;
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Unbranded-Budget-Single-Screw-On-Freewheel-1-8-Inch-20T-20437.htm
so maybe that and a 38 tooth chainring will do.
You cant (easily) fit gears to a singlecross as they are 120mm dropouts. I run a ss-cross bike and 39-18 seemed ok for a bit of hilly stuff, does spin out on the flat tho.
The S3X that we (on-one) are getting in are for 120mm spacing rim brakes and we will sell as wheel only as well as on pompinos.. Although it is a 3speed fix it will fit a BMX freewheel
http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/?p=3147
🙂
You'll get the biggest change per tooth by changing the rear cog first. Do they do a 20 or 22t freewheel?
Coupled with a 38t chainring would be enough I would have thought, but it will spin out.
You may as well get a singlespeed mtb if you're going to drop the gearing that much, because the whole idea is that a cross is faster on easy sections. If you loose the speed element of the cross then you may as well have risers, disc brakes etc etc.
I love my singlecross, with 42x16 but I won't deny it really hurts.
I've got a ss for the road and I changed my rear freewheel from a 16 to 18 (42 on front) and it made the bike feel sooo much more fun! It went from being hard work most of the time (especially pulling away on roundabouts, etc) to just being fun. Yes, you spin out more quickly but it so much more rideable and fun, you won't care! Plus, its very cool being able to get up hills that you never thought you would...
I'd definitely recommend changing the ring/freewheel before anything else - with me contrast was massive! Don't give up on it yet!
42X18 should get you up the downs no issue.
tomthumb - I can get up most of the hills (although Newtimber Hill's a pig) with lots of standing and grunting but it's just too hard and makes the ride unenjoyable.
I quite like the whole cross thing, it's a challenge, I'd just like it to be a bit less of a challenge on the ups so I can enjoy the downs more...
wwaswas - if that's the case I'd definitely change your freewheel. I could still get up stuff and was pretty quick, I just wasn't enjoying it much. Sorry to sound like a broken record but now I love it! It's soooo fun!
Changing a freewheel isn't difficult or expensive, so I say give it ago and then re-evaluate in a few rides, my bet is that you'll be loving it...
ok, well the sjs £4.99 job's worth a try.
thanks everyone 🙂