Riding single speed (techniques)

[manual63]

It's about momentum. Riding single speed makes you a more flowing and smoother rider. You can't slow way down in the corners because you have to pedal to get back up to speed, so you learn to swoop through them with little speed loss.

I run platforms on mine, so when I get to hills I just stand and pound up them.

I created this thread so others and I can get more pointers from you veteran singlespeeders out there.

Let us know what's up!!

:)

[tns1972]

I tried my SS off road for the first time on Sat @ Leb (I've been ridding on pavement for 2 years). And I understand the whole flow thing, you never want to lose momentum. The set up was 36 x 17, with a Singleator, 175 square taper crank arms, and an used 8 speed chain. I made it to just about the X and XX loops, then snapped my chain pounding on an incline. I dropped the chain just before that, might have had something to do with it. Could it have been my weight (210 lbs)? Anyhoo… so now I know that I need a SS rear wheel or my massive amounts of power :eyeroll: will shred my freehub. But what do I do about a chain? Can I use a wider chain and a chaingaurd?
Cool thread Shad :banana: (that's my very first dancing banana)!

[Kiecker]

The set up was 36 x 17, with a Singleator, 175 square taper crank arms, and an used 8 speed chain. I made it to just about the X and XX loops, then snapped my chain pounding on an incline. I dropped the chain just before that, might have had something to do with it. Could it have been my weight (210 lbs)?

First off check your components and chain line. You're using and old chain. Are you also using old chain rings and a cog off a cassette? If so they might be rammped for shifting. If you retrofitted a freehub you want a bmx style cog and chain ring. Also by using a mix of new and used drive chain parts you are adding in a disproportionate wear into your componets. Might want to use all new parts (chain ring, cog, and chain) Next check your chainline and if at all possible use your singular in the "push up" configuration so you have more chain wrap. There are plenty of bigger kids playing with SS that don't break chains.

Read through this faq for more information. http://www.mtbr.com/faq/ssfaq.shtml

Also Sheldon Brown has some useful information on his site too.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

[manual63]

Cool thread Shad :banana: (that's my very first dancing banana)!

Arn't all my threads cool??? :)

You could also use a BMX chain. I have a steep ramped cog on my rear 8 speed cassette and it works fine. I also, oh should I say Jay at Hollywood, made sure the spacers are set up for perfect chain alignment. I still have the 8 speed chain and ramped front chainring, but I plan to put a BMX chain and a deeper cut ring on the front soon. I have not had any chain trouble yet.

[JBergland]

I also, oh should I say Jay at Hollywood, made sure the spacers are set up for perfect chain alignment.

A commonly over-looked thing with SS!!

JB

[soupboy]

....I go 250#+ and have yet to bust a chain SSing. Agree with all the prior drivetrain comments - good chainlines are extremely important.

A wider chain is not necessarily a stronger chain if poorly built. I've had good luck with the SRAM 8spd chains. Right now I'm running a Wipperman (Connex) chain that is really beefy and has a cool tool-less connector somewhat similar to SRAM. http://www.connexchain.com/ - look for the "Star" chain.

You don't need a dedicated SS hub if you have a freehub in OK condition. Just get a decent cog like a King or Endless cog with a wide base and tall teeth. Make sure the chain is straight and run the biggest ring combo you can comfortably fit to maximize chainwrap and drivetain longevity. I've run both freehubs and dedicated freewheel style hubs...each worked fine.

Sean

I tried my SS off road for the first time on Sat @ Leb (I've been ridding on pavement for 2 years). And I understand the whole flow thing, you never want to lose momentum. The set up was 36 x 17, with a Singleator, 175 square taper crank arms, and an used 8 speed chain. I made it to just about the X and XX loops, then snapped my chain pounding on an incline. I dropped the chain just before that, might have had something to do with it. Could it have been my weight (210 lbs)? Anyhoo… so now I know that I need a SS rear wheel or my massive amounts of power :eyeroll: will shred my freehub. But what do I do about a chain? Can I use a wider chain and a chaingaurd?
Cool thread Shad :banana: (that's my very first dancing banana)!

[manual63]

If you are into mail-order and want a good BMX site to get a chain, go to one of these places.

http://www.danscomp.com/

http://www.albes.com/

Lots of good parts for singlespeeders.

[jeffgude]

I laid out the money for new Shimano BMX cog (cheap), SRAM track chain (cheap) and Spot brand aluminum SS chainring (not so cheap). I'm using an old XT hub with a bunch of cog spacers to align the rear cog correctly. My Klein has short horizontal dropouts so I bought a Surly Tuggnuts chain tensioner, too. I've had zero problems with the chain after riding quite a few laps at Lebanon and Terrace. I'm about 175 lbs and I run 34 x 17 gearing so I do quite a bit of standing and mashing the pedals.

Surly now makes stainless steel SS chainrings - one of these would be an excellent investment.

[noise_is_life]

I actually think the chain is less stressed on a singlespeed than on a geared bike, in my experience the chain (and drive train in general) is under more stress in lower gears (like the granny gear) than it is in middle and high gears. Just because you are working harder, doesn't neccessarily mean you chain is.

For instance I stripped freehubs a few times when I had to depend on my granny gear too much, but once I was able to ride more in a bigger gear the problem went away.

I've never had any drive train problems with my SS.

And that doesn't even touch the issue that a singlespeed chain never has any lateral stress like a geared bike does.

[manual63]

How many of you stand and crank up the hills vs sitting down. Do you run your seat as high as you do on you geared bike?

I run my seat a little lower on my single speed so I have more clearance for tech and swooping stuff. Since I mostly stand on the hills, I don't really need my seat super high for that.

[Trevize1138]

I busted my chain a couple times last year and had problems with it jumping off the chainring when I went over bumps. This year I aligned the drivetrain right, everything's nice and straight and I replaced the chain with a less-old chain (it's not even new!) No drivetrain troubles and I crank *hard* on that thing.

[Trevize1138]

How many of you stand and crank up the hills vs sitting down. Do you run your seat as high as you do on you geared bike?

I run my seat a little lower on my single speed so I have more clearance for tech and swooping stuff. Since I mostly stand on the hills, I don't really need my seat super high for that.

I run my seat lower on my SS but that I think has more to do with the platform pedals, I think, than lack of gears. I bunny hop and go over obstacles with much less effort with the seat lower if my feet aren't clipped in.

I've considered trying my SS with clipless pedals and the seat raised a bit to see how that feels. I'm pretty sure I could bunny hop easily even with the seat higher in those circumstances, so the question really would be whether I stand up or sit down for hill climbs. I'm guessing I'd stay seated a bit more than on my platforms. I almost *never* stand to climb hills on my geary with clipless..

[robc]

What is the correct tension for a SS chain? Should it be almost totally rigid, like the front drive chain on my tandem, or have some sag/play in it? (For a bike with tuggnutz style tensioners.)

[Trevize1138]

I think you should go by how free the pedals spin backwards. If there's so much chain tension that your pedals come to a stop after 1/2 a turn that's perfect if you're riding a 20'' BMX bike at a skate park. But, for an MTB you want it *just* tight enough so it won't skip off and just loose enough so the pedals and freewheel spin smoothly and easily.

[Konaboy]

[QUOTE=tns1972] The set up was 36 x 17, with a Singleator, 175 square taper crank arms, and an used 8 speed chain. I made it to just about the X and XX loops, then snapped my chain pounding on an incline.

Like others have said make sure your chain line is straight. Also is your singleator pulling the chain down or pushing it up? If it's pulling down that can give you trouble as well.

[manual63]

Move the chain about 1/2 way between the front and rear sprockets. It should only move about 1/2 an inch up and down....total. Most likely you will have a tight spot. Do this in the tight spot, but if the loose spot has way too much slack, you need to adjust the front chainring so it doesn't have so much hop in it or get higher end parts that are more precisely built.

[homebrewbiker]

How many of you stand and crank up the hills vs sitting down. Do you run your seat as high as you do on you geared bike?

I run my seat a little lower on my single speed so I have more clearance for tech and swooping stuff. Since I mostly stand on the hills, I don't really need my seat super high for that.

I definitely stand up going up hills, but I don't run flats. But I am pretty good at getting out of my pedals, after a few years of tumbling over, I am finally getting it.:cool:

[mtnbykr]

You could also use a BMX chain.

but why?? a 8/9 speed chain will be better. i tried the bmx chain thing one summer. broke 2 of them within the 1st week. went back to quality "shifting" chains and never had a problem since. my riding partner, cousin kay, uses sram 9spd chains and never has troubles. when your nutz are involved, don't cheep out.

[mtnbykr]

What is the correct tension for a SS chain? Should it be almost totally rigid, like the front drive chain on my tandem, or have some sag/play in it? (For a bike with tuggnutz style tensioners.)

about 1/2" like the rest said. for me i like a tighter chain bcuz i like the pedals to transfer torque right now. i don't want the lag that a looser chain gives me.

kl

[mtnbykr]

How many of you stand and crank up the hills vs sitting down. Do you run your seat as high as you do on you geared bike?

depends on the hill and how tired i am. depends on the day and the position of soupboy's lycra. :?)

all my seats are the same distance from the cl of the spindle to the top of the seat.

kl

[mtnbykr]

It's about momentum. Riding single speed makes you a more flowing and smoother rider. You can't slow way down in the corners because you have to pedal to get back up to speed, so you learn to swoop through them with little speed loss.


it's not all momentum. you need to come up here [dulluth] and ride. some times/most times there's not a lotta flow. leb is very different from what we ride. don't be afraid...plan a roadtrip and i or jay will show you around. you gotta bring you ss cuz you started the thread....

kl

[soupboy]

...thong remains firmly wedged in my crack since going OTB on "the rock". My sternum has never been the same...

Sean

depends on the hill and how tired i am. depends on the day and the position of soupboy's lycra.

[jeffgude]

What is the correct tension for a SS chain? Should it be almost totally rigid, like the front drive chain on my tandem, or have some sag/play in it? (For a bike with tuggnutz style tensioners.)


The surly site has a good article on SS drivetrains:

http://www.surlybikes.com/spew3.html

[soupboy]

...crappy parts yield crappy performance. You can oil/grease ACS and ****mano parts all you want. The reality is all you have is well lubricatedl, shyty parts. The surly site has a good article on SS drivetrains:

http://www.surlybikes.com/spew3.html

[manual63]

...thong remains firmly wedged in my crack since going OTB on "the rock". My sternum has never been the same...

Sean

This is getting a bit off-topic....don't you think?? :)

[manual63]

but why?? a 8/9 speed chain will be better. i tried the bmx chain thing one summer. broke 2 of them within the 1st week. went back to quality "shifting" chains and never had a problem since. my riding partner, cousin kay, uses sram 9spd chains and never has troubles. when your nutz are involved, don't cheep out.

What BMX chains did you use? I always had problems with KMC chains when I raced BMX, but Izumi chains rocked. I guess SRAM now makes a BMX chain.

[transplant]

I put my seat up so I get the recommended "proper" extension. I feel it helps my pedaling a lot more to do this, and it's more comfortable for me. If I did they type of riding Shad does, I probably would drop it out of the way more. I rarely have trouble getting behind the saddle if I have to. Hills? POUND up 'em. Rock that bike back and forth. Take out your aggression normally directed at the Human Resources manager in your company...and the CSRs ...pant, pant...never mind:crazy: . Also, as far as 2x1 gearing, don't always stick to that rule. Go with what works for you, no matter what it is.

[berrywise]

I find making Vroooom Vroooom noises help me get up the hills better.

[mtnbykr]

This is getting a bit off-topic....don't you think??

not really. we were all on singles and soupboywas showing us his new riding technique. his landing needed some help...guess you had to be there.

kl

[mtnbykr]

What BMX chains did you use? I always had problems with KMC chains when I raced BMX, but Izumi chains rocked. I guess SRAM now makes a BMX chain.

not sure, it's been 3 or so years ago. gold ones in a red box is all i remember.
they wouldn't hold up to riding over logs and rocks.

kl

[funky-funky-chicken]

I find making Vroooom Vroooom noises help me get up the hills better.

I'm glad that I do so much riding alone. I find myself making tractor sounds all the time.

[manual63]

I'm glad that I do so much riding alone. I find myself making tractor sounds all the time.

I like to make motocross sounds myself. W...ww...wwwaaaaaaahhhhh! w....ww.....wwwwaaaaaahhhh!


Or the two stroke sound ding...da...da...da...ding..ding....ding...ding... da..da....ding....ding...

[Trevize1138]

I've seriously considered getting that muffler you see at Target. It's got a plastic flap that your spokes pluck and it vibrates at one end of a tube. Sweet :)

[funky-funky-chicken]

I ride exclusively singlespeed off-road. I don't have any geared off-roaders any more.

Some people fret about their gear choice. The fact is that no matter what you choose, it won't be right in some situation or another. I pretty regularly ride 1 bike fixed at 34x18, my other single is 39x20. For the 24 hours of afton, I rode 34x23.

Learn how to spin like mad. Learn how to coast. Learn how to pound on the pedals. Learn how to hike-a-bike. Learn to take corners without slowing down. See how far you can ride without the brakes. As for riding fixed, you certainly learn how to pick a line :)

Bicycle setup: I use dedicated singlespeed rear hubs and have good chainline. I use 9speed SRAM chains. I keep my saddle the same height. I prefer 172.5 crank arm length. (Same as road bikes; single, fixed, and geared.)

Good luck.

[Tetreves]

I've seriously considered getting that muffler you see at Target. It's got a plastic flap that your spokes pluck and it vibrates at one end of a tube. Sweet :)

Why not just use a playing card?:p

[trogolodyte16]

It sounds so easy after your matter of fact description....:)

I ride exclusively singlespeed off-road. I don't have any geared off-roaders any more.

Some people fret about their gear choice. The fact is that no matter what you choose, it won't be right in some situation or another. I pretty regularly ride 1 bike fixed at 34x18, my other single is 39x20. For the 24 hours of afton, I rode 34x23.

Learn how to spin like mad. Learn how to coast. Learn how to pound on the pedals. Learn how to hike-a-bike. Learn to take corners without slowing down. See how far you can ride without the brakes. As for riding fixed, you certainly learn how to pick a line :)

Bicycle setup: I use dedicated singlespeed rear hubs and have good chainline. I use 9speed SRAM chains. I keep my saddle the same height. I prefer 172.5 crank arm length. (Same as road bikes; single, fixed, and geared.)

Good luck.

[mtnbykr]

It sounds so easy after your matter of fact description....

it is. :?)

i've been on a ss since around 97/98 and haven't missed gears at all.


kl

[Trevize1138]

I finally put clipless on my SS 'cause riding platforms was hurting my wirsts and forearms (more on that later).

To answer Shad's question on here earlier: I do find myself staying seated a lot more with my clipless now as compared to platforms. The added torque you get from the push, drag, pull cycle of clipless really allows you to power up hills with less effort (duh). My lower back didn't hurt as bad, either, as I wasn't constantly standing up and cranking the bike a whole bunch just to get up small hills.

My wrists and forearms were hurting from all the never-worked-on-before arm movements I had to do to clear obstacles, bunny hop and just control the bike without my feet attached.

Don't think I'll be going back to platforms. They served their purpose for me, though: teaching me the *proper* way to handle the bike. Now jumping over stuff and clearing obstacles is cake! :banana:

Next on the agenda: suspension fork and Cane Creek Thudbuster seatpost for the single and then sell/convert to single my 27 speed? I bent the cranks on that thing yesterday at Leb trying to be all cool and manual off a small log drop. The manual kept going back and back and ... BAM! :hit:

All the while during my two laps at Leb on the 27 speed I wasn't more than one gear out of my middle cog in the back. I barely shifted the whole ride! What a waste :)

[bigwheel]

All the while during my two laps at Leb on the 27 speed I wasn't more than one gear out of my middle cog in the back. I barely shifted the whole ride! What a waste :)

That's what happens when you stop using that part of your brain.:crazy2:

[Trevize1138]

That's what happens when you stop using that part of your brain.:crazy2:

Shad and I both rode gears yesterday and we both had wipeouts from which we're sore today. It's gotta be that we were concentrating more on gears than riding :crazy:

[funky-funky-chicken]

Shad and I both rode gears yesterday and we both had wipeouts from which we're sore today.

Serves you right:scream: Gears are evil... EVIL!

[SprocketHead]

... Take out your aggression normally directed at the Human Resources manager in your company...and the CSRs ...pant, pant...

Amen Brother! MTBing is terrific stress reduction!.. I use the Motocross sound too, usually not out loud.

I got a SS for simplicity reasons(winter riding). It worked out MUCH better than I thought it would, I really don't miss the gears much... I still have "Gear Tendencies" though!
Biking is all about being a little kid anyway isn't it....? :banana:

[Tetreves]

That's what happens when you stop using that part of your brain.:crazy2:

That's a good point. I'm told when you don't have to worry about shifting, it frees your brain up to do other things. What other things are you thinking about? Your shopping list?

Do any of you SS'ers notice a decrease in brain activity since switching? Like when you stop reading and start watching TV instead?:eyeroll:

[noise_is_life]

That's a good point. I'm told when you don't have to worry about shifting, it frees your brain up to do other things. What other things are you thinking about? Your shopping list?

Do any of you SS'ers notice a decrease in brain activity since switching? Like when you stop reading and start watching TV instead?:eyeroll:

uhhhhh, wha?

[Trevize1138]

I don't have time to read Ed's long-winded post, but I just want to go on record as saying that whatever he says in it is undoubtedly wrong.

[bolmsted]

I don't have time to read Ed's long-winded post, but I just want to go on record as saying that whatever he says in it is undoubtedly wrong.

Maybe if Ed were to record a video post for you he can get out whatever he needs to say in the first 5 seconds and it will still captivate your attention. :etard:

[Trevize1138]

Maybe if Ed were to record a video post for you he can ...

Well, as long as he says it in under 5 seconds. Surprised you didn't mention that.

[funky-funky-chicken]

Maybe if Ed were to record a video post for you he can get out whatever he needs to say in the first 5 seconds and it will still captivate your attention. :etard:


Ahhh... Brian. Combing the singlespeed post huh? You've been bitten by the bug? One ride on those fancy new Sram shifters, bent one, and now realizing that the dark side is pretty enlightening isn't it?

[bigwheel]

Okay, I'll confess. This morning, I was looking through the surley site at their single speeds. It is appealing to be able to stop saying "I couldn't ride that because I suck" and start saying "I couldn't ride that because I am on a single speed".

[tedsti]

The only problem with that is that many people have proven that there is nothing at Leb that cannot be ridden on a SS. I have a lot of fun on my SS, but I'm not giving up gears completely.



Okay, I'll confess. This morning, I was looking through the surley site at their single speeds. It is appealing to be able to stop saying "I couldn't ride that because I suck" and start saying "I couldn't ride that because I am on a single speed".

[bolmsted]

Ahhh... Brian. Combing the singlespeed post huh? You've been bitten by the bug? One ride on those fancy new Sram shifters, bent one, and now realizing that the dark side is pretty enlightening isn't it?

Ken! Don't tell everybody that I use Sram shifters! Gawd!

No; seriously though, riding on Saturday was super fun. Thanks for letting me ride your fixed gear at Leb. That was awesome. It wasn't as wierd as I thought it would be. I'm definitely going to have to get myself a rig like that. ...at least by next season.

[Wolfchimp]

I just picked up a Bianchi BASS frame and I cant wait to build it up, but...that requires buying parts, which requires money and I dont have it. Ha ha ha. I rode my buddy's SS for a weekend in Cable and that was the decision maker. It was a BLAST! SS-ing is totally my style. I am truly a power-rider, not so much of a spinner. Although...my Klein and its gears arent going anywhere for now.

[el gueche]

http://www.b2g2.com/boards/board.cgi?action=read&id=1113437610&user=stoneage 1x1 $450
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/67706714.html b.o.s.s. $350

[Wolfchimp]

Since I'm new to this whole SS thing, what would be a good gear ratio to start with? 34-17?

[bolmsted]

Since I'm new to this whole SS thing, what would be a good gear ratio to start with? 34-17?

53x12. at least.

[noise_is_life]

53x12. at least.

Nah, real men ride 54x11.

Seriously though 34x17 or 32x16 is a good starting point, too tall for me, but I'm slow fat guy.

[ppgc]

Nah, real men ride 54x11.

Seriously though 34x17 or 32x16 is a good starting point, too tall for me, but I'm slow fat guy.

I ride a 36x16, the uphills are a little tough sometimes but the legs get used to it. Keeps you moving a little faster though. :)

[Wolfchimp]

Thanks guys. I wasnt sure what my 1x1 MTB should be. I ride 42x17 on my commuter and that can be a little stiff at times. I ride from my house to work on some gravel trails and some road. There are a few good hills that you need build a some speed up to make them but I can usually ride them all. I knew the ratio would have to be a little easier on my MTB in order to hit up the Farm and Mammoth. Thanks Again.

[Trevize1138]

Jeez, you guys like to pound the pedals pretty hard! I ride a 34X20 and love it. I've done 34X17 and it's not bad, but the extra 3 teeth on the back just make it more fun. Better acceleration and you're more able to relax. I don't ever really spin out on downhills, either. Since getting clipless, though, I've considered trying an 18 on the back.

[bigwheel]

It would seem that the thing to do is go to your favorite place for a "farewell tour" on our gearie. Pick a gear, and don't shift until after the loop is done. After a couple loops, you'll know what gear works best. Then, you simply get rid of all of the other gears -- forever. The feeling will be similar to when you go in for a vasectomy.

[mara]

I don't have the hammer power of most SSers. I started with a 32x17 at Theo and it seems to be okay most of the time. I'd pick an easier gear for something like Lebanon.

[bolmsted]

I don't have the hammer power of most SSers. I started with a 32x17 at Theo and it seems to be okay most of the time. I'd pick an easier gear for something like Lebanon.

I'm with you Mara, I tend to like to spin a lot so my rig will probably be set up with somewhat smaller gears. Back in my road days I typically used to time trial at around 135 rpms.