Poll: Single Speed Comp Class?

[Trevize1138]

I think it's high time for this class! :banana:

[Lezgo Cycling]

I think it's high time for this class! :banana:

why not in sport too, im all about the SS but am just starting racing this year. :D we cant all be fast right away :crazy:

[FarmerBEN]

why not in sport too, im all about the SS but am just starting racing this year. :D we cant all be fast right away :crazy:


I think they already have one in sport,

[Lezgo Cycling]

OK see now this I would not have known, since this is my first year racing and all...cool

[hockeynut]

Beautiful poll.... not that I need/have the ability to race Comp, but there are definitely some SSers that could definitely hang with the big dogs (heck if race directors don't mind staying later to let me finish I might have more fun in comp than in sport).

Having a class to "graduate" to should only help get people out to race I would think. The better riders will have more fun/be more challenged in comp. The true sport riders will be more competitive and actually feel like they are racing for something. The newbs will not be as intimidated by people who could easily race expert being in the same class as them.

Now.... to force the sandbaggers in Sport to suck it up and race comp......

[Trevize1138]

OK see now this I would not have known, since this is my first year racing and all...cool

No worries, dude. :)

Yeah, it's the reason for the poll, in fact. Currently the only single speed class is in sport and last year nearly every sport class race's overall winner was a single speeder.

I'd guess single speed comp hasn't yet been created only because there haven't been enough people to fill it out. Either that or once you get up to Comp and Expert they figure it's a high enough level that you really should only have divisions by age and sex. Plus, several people already race Comp and Expert on a SS anyway.

Still, it might cut down a bit on the whole "sandbagger" effect. And, I'd guess "that guy" who always wins sport overall on the SS would feel more satisfied with a longer, more technical race.

[Heuy]

Having more upper level classes to entice people to move-up I think helps overall turnout as it makes it easier to step into Sport off of the street. It gets pretty demoralizing to get lapped on your first race.

[gus man]

Beautiful poll.... not that I need/have the ability to race Comp, but there are definitely some SSers that could definitely hang with the big dogs (heck if race directors don't mind staying later to let me finish I might have more fun in comp than in sport).

Having a class to "graduate" to should only help get people out to race I would think. The better riders will have more fun/be more challenged in comp. The true sport riders will be more competitive and actually feel like they are racing for something. The newbs will not be as intimidated by people who could easily race expert being in the same class as them.

Now.... to force the sandbaggers in Sport to suck it up and race comp......

Isaac, If I was still the RD I'ld waite for ya man.

G

[ibismojo2001]

WORS has Comp SS and Expert SS I think. But they have many more people racing than in ours.

I remember Fond Du lac last year only had one SS.

[RichZilla]

I'm not accusing anyone here of doing this, I'm just offering up my two cents...

If you are racing in Sport in the Single Speed class, and don't move up to Comp (when you should) because there's no class for it, you're one of the worst sandbaggers. Just because there's no 'class' for it, doesn't mean you can't race it. I'm sure there are people riding single speeds in Comp already. It would be impossible to have a class for every different age group, gender, bike type, etc. It would be so narrow that everyone would have their own class. Weak. "Yay, we're all winners! I got first place out of two people. I'm so good!" Next they'll be asking for a hardtail class and a rigid class, and a 29er class, and a 150mm and over suspension class, and a 25lb bike class, and a 30lb bike class, and a 35lb bike class, and 40lb bike class and the list goes on and on.

Sure it would be nice if we could all race against only other people that are exactly our age, height, and weight, and riding the same exact bike, but we don't have those kind of numbers. I think we're asking a little much out of a class that only had an average of less than 38 entries for the entire Comp class. That's split between five age groups, meaning that there were only an average of about seven racers per age group. Now take maybe one or two from each age group and put them into a single speed class. Wow, five or six people in each class. Getting third place would mean so much. I finished ahead of only three people at the race at Maplelag last year. I still got third place. It doesn't mean that much though when you're as close to the bottom of the list, as you are the top of the list.

My opinion, choose the appropriate class to enter based on your ability. NOT your bike. The bike you ride is your choice. If you feel that a certain bike gives an advantage over the bike you've chosen to use, maybe you should switch bikes. I race with a bike that has 140mm of suspension travel, front and rear. I know that the hardtails have an advantage on most of the climbs. Sure, I could go buy a hardtail or something and be more competitive, but I choose not to. I don't whine and complain about it either. I've even raced a cross country race on a 50lb bike that has 9 inches of suspension.

The bottom line is that if you don't want to get into a gunfight and only have a knife, don't bring the knife, bring a gun.

Again, I'm not accusing anyone of whining or complaining here, I'm just giving my entire opinion on the subject. I voted NO for the extra class. Run what ya brung. An extra class is just more of a hassle for the race director and their staff, plus a whole other set of awards to pay for and have made.

[ibismojo2001]

I don't agree with all of your comments, but they are well stated.

One thing that I know is that I had buddies/teammates racing in Comp on a SS. They did it for the competition and the mileage. I have to agree. I raced SS sport on a couple of occasions and really enjoyed it but when the person taking first overall in sport is on a SS, that says something and is a little demoralizing. Granted I don't train to race, but race for the pure enjoyment of it and to ride the trails that never open except for the race.

Maybe this year will be different but I anticipate there will be others showing up on SSs dominating the Sport Class when they should be riding Comp or Expert.

Personally, I find it empowering to finish ahead of geared bikes and if I had the lungs and legs would ride the SS in Comp to see where I would stack up. Hey look at the Marco in Wis and what he did.

Later

[CogNition]

At the races people see what you're riding and they realize what your singlespeed means. It shouldn't be forgotten that props are just as sweet as the podium. Pride in yourself is essentially the prize we're all after. You don't need the podium attain that.

As for the SS Comp class, I feel it would be an effective way for the sport to grow and progress. More riders would praticipate if they felt like they weren't jumping into the deepend on their first race.

I do feel Richy is right to see how this could get out of hand. If we start to knit-pick at every minor difference in the bikes we bring then we will, inadvertently, remove the taste of competion that racing is all about. The SS competition is there, this will just give them room to move up.

[egoo]

I've always looked at SS as a built in excuse. If you don't do well, you can say "hey, I was on my single" and if you do well, you can say "hey, I was on my single!" By the way, I plan on doing some racing on my single this year.

If making a SS comp class would get more people to the races then I am all for it. Unfortunately I don't believe that to be true. These guys are going to show up either way, so the only other question is would it be worth the extra work for the race organizer? I don't know. Blah blah blah...

[redpic]

I'm not accusing anyone here of doing this, I'm just offering up my two cents...

If you are racing in Sport in the Single Speed class, and don't move up to Comp (when you should) because there's no class for it, you're one of the worst sandbaggers. Just because there's no 'class' for it, doesn't mean you can't race it. I'm sure there are people riding single speeds in Comp already. It would be impossible to have a class for every different age group, gender, bike type, etc. It would be so narrow that everyone would have their own class. Weak. "Yay, we're all winners! I got first place out of two people. I'm so good!" Next they'll be asking for a hardtail class and a rigid class, and a 29er class, and a 150mm and over suspension class, and a 25lb bike class, and a 30lb bike class, and a 35lb bike class, and 40lb bike class and the list goes on and on.

Sure it would be nice if we could all race against only other people that are exactly our age, height, and weight, and riding the same exact bike, but we don't have those kind of numbers. I think we're asking a little much out of a class that only had an average of less than 38 entries for the entire Comp class. That's split between five age groups, meaning that there were only an average of about seven racers per age group. Now take maybe one or two from each age group and put them into a single speed class. Wow, five or six people in each class. Getting third place would mean so much. I finished ahead of only three people at the race at Maplelag last year. I still got third place. It doesn't mean that much though when you're as close to the bottom of the list, as you are the top of the list.

My opinion, choose the appropriate class to enter based on your ability. NOT your bike. The bike you ride is your choice. If you feel that a certain bike gives an advantage over the bike you've chosen to use, maybe you should switch bikes. I race with a bike that has 140mm of suspension travel, front and rear. I know that the hardtails have an advantage on most of the climbs. Sure, I could go buy a hardtail or something and be more competitive, but I choose not to. I don't whine and complain about it either. I've even raced a cross country race on a 50lb bike that has 9 inches of suspension.

The bottom line is that if you don't want to get into a gunfight and only have a knife, don't bring the knife, bring a gun.

Again, I'm not accusing anyone of whining or complaining here, I'm just giving my entire opinion on the subject. I voted NO for the extra class. Run what ya brung. An extra class is just more of a hassle for the race director and their staff, plus a whole other set of awards to pay for and have made.


Maybe there could be a compromise, how about sport and expert single speed classes. MN only has the comp class because the sport class is so large. Have an Expert SingleSpeed Class, then all higher levels could compete together, and the top sport riders then have some where to go.

Also the top experts/pros would have a new challenge to keep them interested in the MNSCS, instead of winning over and over and over again.;) ;)

It would even out the rest of the classes and give the SS guys a real nice challenge without trying to add it to every other class.

[jjrsds]

I think that SS is an equipment choice. If you want a challenge move up a class and use SS to compete with. I think RichZilla said it perfectly. Compete in the class in which you belong and use whatever equipement YOU think is competitive. If you are winning every sport race on a SS move up and try to beat the comps. No honor in sandbagging.

[dvo1]

No honor in sandbagging.

I have no honor.

[RichZilla]

I think that SS is an equipment choice. If you want a challenge move up a class and use SS to compete with. I think RichZilla said it perfectly. Compete in the class in which you belong and use whatever equipement YOU think is competitive. If you are winning every sport race on a SS move up and try to beat the comps. No honor in sandbagging.

Well f'ing said, in a much shorter version than how I put it. Exactly what I was trying to convey. Thank You.

[dirtgrl]

Wow...consider your predicament a luxury.

"Run what ya brung"...and have fun.

[BajaDakota]

I am backing RichZilla on this one. By creating more, and more classes, we are eliminating the reason we do this thing called Racing. Competition!?!

If we had the turnout there is in somewhere like Winter Park, CO with 500+ racers at each event than maybe we could justify splitting age groups, gearing, etc...but we don't have enough racers to make those additions.

I think a person should race in the class that suits their ability, not their modality (type of bike). Such as, if I could win Comp on a BMX bike I shouldn't be racing Sport.

It is frustrating when you are finishing near the top of your class and one or two guys on SS are posting times that are 5 minutes faster than the top Sport finisher on an HT or FS. Not to mention those top few guys should probably be in Comp as well.

I would say that if you are going to create another SS class it should be Expert. Than there would be a Sport SS and an Expert SS class. Room to move up w/o creating too many steps.

Sure some of us are more competitive than others, which is one reason for moving up when you have the abilities. If you're not sure (when you are ready) your times will tell you.

I've raced four seasons of two-five races and have gone from average racing form, to great racing form, and back to average. I will hopfully stay on track this year and get back to great racing form and join the ranks of the Comp class with some of the guys I once battled with. And 'am looking forward to it. :D

I'll stop now...

[bigwheel]

I'm still waiting for my official racing class: Over-50 Clydesdales that refuse to wear tights.

Until that time, I'll consider myself as casual rider.

[jitterjepp]

I voted no because I don't think you need another class for a piece of equipment. Do they have one for rigid vs. FS?

If you keep splitting up the categories without enough racers then you end up with 3 people competing in each class. I wouldn't show up for that. Would anyone? Seriously. You could get third place and last place at the same time. Dumb.

[Trevize1138]

Dude, you've totally won me over with this argument!

That's a very good point: you can really go overboard with creating all these different race classes and when do you stop? At some point I could compete in the Male, 35 years old, SS, Comp, 32:16 ratio, 18 inch steel hardtail frame with 100mm front suspension travel and blah blah damping, named Chris Druckenm!ller class.

How 'bout this: ditch the SS Sport class and have SS Comp instead? You're quite correct: several guys compete in both Comp and expert on SS bikes without the classification anyway and many who compete in SS Sport are good enough to compete in Comp or Expert. An argument could be made that if you're racing SS you're automatically assumed too advanced for sport!

And, I don't use "I was riding a SS" as an excuse for not placing higher. It's a fall-back reason I keep on reserve in the event that I perform poorly. :crazy:

I'm not accusing anyone here of doing this, I'm just offering up my two cents...

If you are racing in Sport in the Single Speed class, and don't move up to Comp (when you should) because there's no class for it, you're one of the worst sandbaggers. Just because there's no 'class' for it, doesn't mean you can't race it. I'm sure there are people riding single speeds in Comp already. It would be impossible to have a class for every different age group, gender, bike type, etc. It would be so narrow that everyone would have their own class. Weak. "Yay, we're all winners! I got first place out of two people. I'm so good!" Next they'll be asking for a hardtail class and a rigid class, and a 29er class, and a 150mm and over suspension class, and a 25lb bike class, and a 30lb bike class, and a 35lb bike class, and 40lb bike class and the list goes on and on.

Sure it would be nice if we could all race against only other people that are exactly our age, height, and weight, and riding the same exact bike, but we don't have those kind of numbers. I think we're asking a little much out of a class that only had an average of less than 38 entries for the entire Comp class. That's split between five age groups, meaning that there were only an average of about seven racers per age group. Now take maybe one or two from each age group and put them into a single speed class. Wow, five or six people in each class. Getting third place would mean so much. I finished ahead of only three people at the race at Maplelag last year. I still got third place. It doesn't mean that much though when you're as close to the bottom of the list, as you are the top of the list.

My opinion, choose the appropriate class to enter based on your ability. NOT your bike. The bike you ride is your choice. If you feel that a certain bike gives an advantage over the bike you've chosen to use, maybe you should switch bikes. I race with a bike that has 140mm of suspension travel, front and rear. I know that the hardtails have an advantage on most of the climbs. Sure, I could go buy a hardtail or something and be more competitive, but I choose not to. I don't whine and complain about it either. I've even raced a cross country race on a 50lb bike that has 9 inches of suspension.

The bottom line is that if you don't want to get into a gunfight and only have a knife, don't bring the knife, bring a gun.

Again, I'm not accusing anyone of whining or complaining here, I'm just giving my entire opinion on the subject. I voted NO for the extra class. Run what ya brung. An extra class is just more of a hassle for the race director and their staff, plus a whole other set of awards to pay for and have made.

[Matthew]

How 'bout this: ditch the SS Sport class and have SS Comp instead?

I think that is a way better idea. When you think about it most of the people who ride and race singlespeed are already accomplished riders and they would probably want the added technical riding that the comp/expert course usually provides.

[gus man]

Well f'ing said, in a much shorter version than how I put it. Exactly what I was trying to convey. Thank You.

I am backing RichZilla on this one. By creating more, and more classes, we are eliminating the reason we do this thing called Racing. Competition!?!

If we had the turnout there is in somewhere like Winter Park, CO with 500+ racers at each event than maybe we could justify splitting age groups, gearing, etc...but we don't have enough racers to make those additions.

I think a person should race in the class that suits their ability, not their modality (type of bike). Such as, if I could win Comp on a BMX bike I shouldn't be racing Sport.

It is frustrating when you are finishing near the top of your class and one or two guys on SS are posting times that are 5 minutes faster than the top Sport finisher on an HT or FS. Not to mention those top few guys should probably be in Comp as well.

I would say that if you are going to create another SS class it should be Expert. Than there would be a Sport SS and an Expert SS class. Room to move up w/o creating too many steps.

Sure some of us are more competitive than others, which is one reason for moving up when you have the abilities. If you're not sure (when you are ready) your times will tell you.

I've raced four seasons of two-five races and have gone from average racing form, to great racing form, and back to average. I will hopfully stay on track this year and get back to great racing form and join the ranks of the Comp class with some of the guys I once battled with. And 'am looking forward to it. :D

I'll stop now...

I'm still waiting for my official racing class: Over-50 Clydesdales that refuse to wear tights.

Until that time, I'll consider myself as casual rider.

I voted no because I don't think you need another class for a piece of equipment. Do they have one for rigid vs. FS?

If you keep splitting up the categories without enough racers then you end up with 3 people competing in each class. I wouldn't show up for that. Would anyone? Seriously. You could get third place and last place at the same time. Dumb.

Dude, you've totally won me over with this argument!

That's a very good point: you can really go overboard with creating all these different race classes and when do you stop? At some point I could compete in the Male, 35 years old, SS, Comp, 32:16 ratio, 18 inch steel hardtail frame with 100mm front suspension travel and blah blah damping, named Chris Druckenm!ller class.

How 'bout this: ditch the SS Sport class and have SS Comp instead? You're quite correct: several guys compete in both Comp and expert on SS bikes without the classification anyway and many who compete in SS Sport are good enough to compete in Comp or Expert. An argument could be made that if you're racing SS you're automatically assumed too advanced for sport!

And, I don't use "I was riding a SS" as an excuse for not placing higher. It's a fall-back reason I keep on reserve in the event that I perform poorly. :crazy:


New poll, Richzilla for president. Couldn't agree more Rich.

G

[RedSquirrel]

.
.
.
Get rid of Comp Class and make that SS State Champ race a real race......

Without comp class, allow $5 open class ride time before and after races for all riders who just want to ride the course and can't handle the fun of racing the class where they belong..... OPEN for fixies, hardtails, single speeds, 9 speeds, 8 speeds, pugsley's tandems, > 40, < 40, large frames, small frames, women, men, transgender, illegal alliens, moms, dads, singles, hippies, students and anyone who signs a waiver whom likes to ride a bike. Oh did i get off topic? Just ride what ya got and tell a friend how fun it is to be at an event......shwag for all.

[Booms]

Interesting that most people think riding a SS is a disadvantage.

[manual63]

I think so.....that is the class I would race in if there was such a thing.

[wokerhopper]

They still make mountain bikes with only one speed? ;)

[RedSquirrel]

I was scratching my head when this poll/forum popped up. Then realized it was started before the MNSCS announcement......THERE IS A SS COMP CLASS THIS YEAR.

[manual63]

They still make mountain bikes with only one speed? ;)

No.....they are not mountain bikes.....they are cruisers. People just forgot the proper name for them and call them SS Mountain Bikes.........:crazy:

[owen]

Last year racing SS in comp I thought it would be nice to at least have a SS designation, not necessarily a different class. I don't know if this would even be possible for the organizers, but it would be good to be able to compare yourself to the other people riding SS. I also do think it's interesting that people think of single as a handicap.

[Matthew]

Last year racing SS in comp I thought it would be nice to at least have a SS designation, not necessarily a different class. I don't know if this would even be possible for the organizers, but it would be good to be able to compare yourself to the other people riding SS.

:banghead::banghead::banghead: There is a singlespeed comp division this year. As stated multiple times previously.