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Does anyone still s...
 

Does anyone still single speed?

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I've got my Niner One9 which has been transformed by the SQLab backswept bars - feels like a big BMX now somehow.

Also in the process of ss'ing the rim-braked Allez turbo trainer bike for evening rides IRL.  It has a standard threaded BB shell so I'm using a First Components EBB for BSA threaded BB shells to keep it looking really neat - not fitted it yet but it seems really well made with plenty of adjustment for getting the chain tension set correctly.


 
Posted : 18/05/2024 10:00 pm
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My Shand is still SS, not ridden much just now.


 
Posted : 18/05/2024 11:48 pm
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Still quite a few SSs in my riding circle - including @chiefgrooveguru

I love my sonder transition:

IMG_20230504_195107~2


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 12:34 am
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Damn I miss bluebells and that is a nice looking bike.  Don't ride so much this side of the pond now (crap weather and apartment living) but Stateside, singlespeed all the way 😉


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 1:19 am
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424926922_10159785099711937_6715271631816716891_n

Yup.. recently built this back up as a SS after it languished on the turbo trainer for the past few years..

its wonderful!


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 3:38 am
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Yep, have done for last 20+ years switching between fixed and freewheel but all one gear.

It is lighter so must be better (5.9kg)

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 6:39 am
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@mamadirt long time no see, glad your still pushing them pedals!


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 6:42 am
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Yes, it’s my favourite bike.
My On One Pompetamine has been is several different guises but SSCX is my favourite!

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53729934737_21ff06b992_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53729934737_21ff06b992_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pRVXF8 ]PXL_20240114_111423418_Original[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/benjishucksmith/ ]benjishucksmith[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 8:34 am
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Nah lost the love for it. Dunno why, just didn't want to do it any longer. Had a Inbred that was worked on by Robin Mather to give me a set of sliding brake mounts and was repainted genuine Ferrari Rosso as well, which was a pretty unique bike. Sold it on and bought a Hummer as replacement. Haven't gone back and don't miss frankly


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 8:42 am
 IA
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I’d love a beady little eye. Hard for me to justify buying one though.

The heart wants what the heart wants 😉

Unless you’re racing or commuting the bike’s for fun. That’s all you need to justify it. My BLE makes me smile just thinking about it, let alone riding it. It’s makes other people smile when they see it, and look concerned for their bank account if they try it 😉

It’s by far the bike I’ve had that’s brought the most fun and pleasure to the world. Totally worth it.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:05 am
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Still own one - beaten-up, rigid ti thing with a neat eccentric outboard bottom bracket - but don't ride it often, mostly because the local terrain is the Peak District and singlespeeding round here takes a certain level of ,erm, 'commitment.' I spent around two years a decade or more ago riding almost exclusively ss on a Voodoo Wanga and loved it, but it takes a specialised type of on/off, anaerobic conditioning to survive on hilly stuff and trying to do it regularly would almost certainly put me in a box.

If I lived and rode somewhere a bit more mellow and undulating, then yes, I think I would for the visceral simplicity, but round here it's most about visceral suffering. Thanks for the inspiration though, I'm teetering on the brink of getting the thing out, swapping some tyres and going for a one-cog ride.

I love my sonder transition:

Ooh, that's a single-speeded carbon Transmitter, right? A mate had one of those for review for a couple of weeks, but I don't think I've ever seen one in the wild. I reckon that frame with a Pike or similar, light but wide carbon rims and some carefully chosen, fast-rolling tyres would be a hoot.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:07 am
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Not off road anymore, ride one religiously in London for Epping Forest and North London parks, my knees complained when I moved somewhere with short sharp climbs so I have gears now fir off road.

I still have a SS for daily commutes to the train station and shopping trips into town along the tow path. I do like the silence and simplicity of it.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:11 am
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Fair play to all of you… will pop out to spectate… really tough gear ratio… presumably gear for “up”, free wheel “down” and presume (fairly correctly) there is no “along”


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:33 am
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Seems that most people ride SS for different reasons to me - "fun" and "a hoot" are not phrases i associate with it.

SS is a practical solution that allows me to keep riding through the worst of the weather without destroying my other bikes.

As soon as the trails dry out, the SS is in the shed and forgotten.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:48 am
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That’s a single-speeded carbon Transmitter, right?

Oops yes typo on the name. And yes it is indeed a hoot.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:23 am
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Cheers @rOcKeTdOg 👍 No ACL but the old lady keeps going ☺️


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:31 am
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Yes, but due to garage mess they are further back in the order currently.
Obvious plan to solve this is I'm looking to build a more modern 29" SS which will be closer to top of the pile by virtue of being last in the door.

When the Kilauea SS does get dug out, I'm always amazed how it hasn't dated as bad as other 26" wheel bikes. Or maybe that's just love?


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:40 am
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reba_nelli

Yea, started again after it being in the garage for a few years. Pictured freewheel side but now it is actually fixed and rear brake taken off - front has SLX disc brake. Ride on gravel and asphalt, 30 mm tyres and the fork is 26" Reba Dual-air with hydraulic lockout, so you can ride with lockout on and it still takes bigger bumps. The 28" wheel and 30mm tyre leaves just enough clearance in the front.

Pretty old NS Bikes Analog.

clearance


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 12:36 pm
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Not been out on the SS MTB since COVID - road the Cx bike instead. But I have ridden road (fixed) a lot, and have raced TT's fixed. Did my first 50 since COVID with a PB today (not hard as I'd only ridden one before), and have a 100 coming next week. I'll dust down the Genesis IO soon.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 6:54 pm
rOcKeTdOg and rOcKeTdOg reacted
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Not ridden/had one for about 10 years (on one inbred) but may build one next. A DH/park bike, so ‘fun’ and ’hoot’ are top of the agenda.

Always fancied a Beady Little Eye too.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 7:33 pm
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Sam Morris of Bike Village certainly does single speed. 2nd at the southern divide! https://do****cher.cc/race/the-southern-divide-2024


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 8:38 pm
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Yep, singlespeeding to me is an unfiltered, simple way to have fun on an MTB. Currently have an On One Huntsman, the frame is 'reassuringly heavy' and the paint isn't great but importantly the frame is the right dimensions for tall me and it rides nice.

Image


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 8:50 pm
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Not off road these days (although I keep telling myself that I will get the Inbred rolling again soon)

But the On-One Pompino (freewheel) is easily the bike that I enjoy riding the most, despite having a Van Nicholas Ultegra Di2.

The Pompino just makes me feel good about myself, especially when I'm overtaking riding buddies on geared bikes. I never get that level of satisfaction from a geared bike.

Edit: This thread has inspired to pump up the tyres on the Inbred for the Tuesday evening ride


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:14 pm
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“Seems that most people ride SS for different reasons to me – “fun” and “a hoot” are not phrases i associate with it.”

It is strange isn’t it? My Moxie is the most fun bike I’ve ever owned and it’s rather hard to explain why. I was extolling the virtues of it whilst chatting to a fellow ebiker who I’d tagged along with in Friston Forest, as I don’t know my way round there very well. He seemed unconvinced by the idea of giving up the motor, the rear suspension and the gears! I like my ebike a lot but it’s just a bit sensible.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:22 pm
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I have a 26er geared HT and a Big Bro (Brother Cycles) 29er rigid steel single speed. I ride the single speed 99 times out of 100 and love it to bits. I'm quicker up hill on it than on my geared bike, and I'm never in the wrong gear 😀

Foggy silhouette is Friday just gone, early morning pre WFH pedal through Summer. Overgrown track this afternoon.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53732324683_979573d4f5_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53732324683_979573d4f5_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pS9d86 ]IMG_2579[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenie2010/ ]Bindylou[/url], on Flickr

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53732452639_6bf698db4e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53732452639_6bf698db4e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pS9Sae ]IMG_2605[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/queenie2010/ ]Bindylou[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:37 pm
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This thread has inspired to pump up the tyres on the Inbred for the Tuesday evening ride

👍👌


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 9:43 pm
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IA

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I’d love a beady little eye. Hard for me to justify buying one though.

The heart wants what the heart wants 😉

Unless you’re racing or commuting the bike’s for fun. That’s all you need to justify it. My BLE makes me smile just thinking about it, let alone riding it. It’s makes other people smile when they see it, and look concerned for their bank account if they try it 😉

It’s by far the bike I’ve had that’s brought the most fun and pleasure to the world. Totally worth it

Oh I'd buy one in a heartbeat if i had the money to spare. I'd love to know if anyone successfully runs it with 27.5 wheels.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:14 pm
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This thread made me take my Singular Rooster singlespeed out for a quick local lap this afternoon as it’s not been out since last year. Forgotten just how good it is, it just makes you ride everywhere flat out. It’s somehow developed a creak since I put it away which needs sorting but it’ll definitely get more ride time this summer now. Archive shot below.

IMG_3367


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:37 pm
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Not on the MTB anymore.  All the local riding to me is steep, sharp, rocky and often wet.  You just end up walking (a lot) and then to get between all these climbs, you just and up spinning (a lot), so combined, they suck the fun out of it.  34 -10:45 works better for me here.  Still have and use a SS road bike.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:38 pm
 IA
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Oh I’d buy one in a heartbeat if i had the money to spare. I’d love to know if anyone successfully runs it with 27.5 wheels.

They made some like that, that was the default when I ordered mine...


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:57 pm
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You just end up walking (a lot)

TBH I don't mind pushing a heavy bike up a very steep trail, even if it is a real struggle - I treat it as cross training and it is particularly good for stretching the hamstrings.


 
Posted : 19/05/2024 10:59 pm
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Oddly, I find a rigid Singlespeed a very lazy way to ride. No thinking about gears just pedal or push. I can grind my way up most stuff (eventually). Its the perfect de-stressing bike. Fat might not be everyone's cup of tea but it works for me. Good to see so many singlespeeds still out there.

Puffin_FOD_2


 
Posted : 20/05/2024 8:05 am
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Nice and simple so I don’t have to think. 16 years and all the associated stupidity. Love it.

That reminds me, need some new tyres, the current ones have got a little too slick.

IMG_4042


 
Posted : 20/05/2024 8:14 am
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I miss the simplicity of SS. Maybe time to revisit. Steel definitely, maybe short travel remote lock fork and a dropper this time. Oh and definitely 29 this time.


 
Posted : 20/05/2024 9:08 am
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Of course 🙂 My singlespeed is my main bike although I've recently bought an XC race bike which has stolen some riding time from it.

It's rigid and no dropper, I just love that there is nothing to fiddle with, you just go, steer and stop.  And you can't be lazy, it's full effort or walk so it's a proper work out 🙂


 
Posted : 20/05/2024 9:01 pm
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There's a really simple solution to needing more than one gear.

69" and 90"

[url= https://i.ibb.co/mcxjK72/PXL-20240507-184245768.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/mcxjK72/PXL-20240507-184245768.jp g"/> [/img][/url]


 
Posted : 20/05/2024 9:20 pm
jameso, Megatron, Megatron and 1 people reacted
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hell yes! fully rigid too! (but with plus tyres to take the edge off)

'makes the trails come alive' re: makes our local become more of a challange.


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 11:40 am
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NO!

Can't say I don't learn. A decade of almost all SS riding taught me that it's stupid and dumb. Brief rebuilds over the next decade just confirmed this.

I do keep looking on how to rebuild a fixed disc MTB with 29" wheels and tubeless wheels but it hit's an impass each time with the fact the hub is on a non tubeless 26" wheel and the best bike for it is a Stache with a silly rear hub dimension then I realise I'd prefer to spend that money on something else.

Then I think about resurrecting the old Ferrous as a fixed road bike for the clubs TT but remember there's a wobbly BB in it that needs unspecified work to remove it.

So I just go back to 22 speed road bikes and 12 speed MTBs as it's simpler.


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 11:54 am
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stoogesw

jones

moto

tibomb


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 12:49 pm
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Ohh yes, 7 bikes and 4 are singlespeed, Singular Peregrine and Gryphon, Stooge Speedbomb and a track frame Bombtrack Needle...

I can still never quite explain myself to others though when they ask why i like it, i just do.....


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 12:57 pm
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@tazzymtb What is the (presumably) Titanium bike with the Cannondale-esk killer V frame profile? My eyes aren't good enough to make out the head badge.


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 2:04 pm
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I don’t get time for much proper riding nowadays but I SS pretty everyday here and there to work and back everyday. not much in the way of hills on the commute but the farm roads and bridleways make for perfect SS terrain and 34:17 is about right.


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 2:34 pm
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Yup, Ramin 3+ going strong. Entered SSUK 24 for a giggle seeing as it is down south this year.


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 7:49 pm
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My last ride out, 6 bikes in total, 3 singlespeeds.

I guess that's a 'yes' then ...

🙂


 
Posted : 21/05/2024 7:51 pm
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