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For the same gear ratio (eg 32x16) singlespeeds have noticeably less drivetrain resistance than a geared bike. True or false?
Andy
i wouldn't say noticeably, no.
yes, no, maybe.
you're not turning the jockey wheels or whirring so much chain around so there's a little less friction an inertia and the chainline is always perfect.
but it's probably fairly marginal.
but it's probably fairly marginal.
That's what I'd assumed.
Andy
it's the margins that win me medals !
sorry for the stammer
It certainly *feels* more efficient imho, but it could also be because my singlespeed bike is always much lighter than my geared bikes
I would say the weight saving is far more noticable.
It certainly *feels* more efficient
Agree, I messed about last year by adding a rear mech, 8 spd cassette and shifter (all XT) to my SS bike [cries of horror] & tbh went back to SS after a week or so, ss just felt more efficient, plus the fact I am so cack handed with gears anyway 😉
[i]I would say the weight saving is far more noticable. [/i]
this
a 10-20% weight saving is far more noticeable than 2 or 3% of extra efficiency in the drivetrain.
subjectively: yes, it feels like less resistance! Maybe helped by the lack of noise.
I "think" that dragging the chain through the zigzag of the rear mech alone creates resistance.
It "must" be more efficient - all that noise in a geared system equals friction...
My offiroad fixie is almost completely silent and, running with just a front brake (gulp - yes, it sometimes is very scary), weighs less than 20lbs even with Fox 120's up front - it is VERY EFFICIENT!
Makes riding my carbon full susser feel like riding in treacle!!!
My singlespeed was hugely different when I went from a 32h gerared wheel with adapters to a 36 hole un-dished wheel. Truckloads stiffer on the climbs.
jockey wheels can have a noticeable effect on the drivetrain if they're borked. They spin around very quickly, and I'd bet that the drag is not a linear property.