Could you run single gear on FS frame?

[vrooom]

I am curious as I have fully sealed single gear 26" wheels as used for hardtail. Would like to transfer parts into FS.

is there freeride FS frames that could accomate the single gear setup?

[pedantlewis]

I think most FS frames create a degree of chain growth when compressed, so you couldn't do it on one of those. I'm pretty sure I've seen a singlespeed GT I-Drive in the past, and I suppose the other designs which claim to eliminate chain growth (like a spesh FSR) may also be feasible.

All of the above may well be wrong, don't go buying a frame off the back of it!

[SystemParanoia]

forgive my ignorance.. but what is the point in singlespeed?

when i think of single speed i think of those crappy bikes the royal mail staff use. uuugh.

[vrooom]

Single speed. no gear shifter, simplicity, more reilable, use bmx freewheel, lighter.

[Rico]

Yep.

Frames with the main axle that pivots around the bottom bracket and that don't have any pivots between BB and dropout. Thus the arch is the same length and no chain grow.

Try something like a Kona Bass.

[snotrag]

You can run singlespeed on ANY frame as long as you use an appropriate method of chain tensioning.

Anyone who runs SS on a suspended trail bike as an idiot though.

If your so bothered aobut simplicity and light weight, what about a scooter? Unicycle? Hiking boots?

For the most part - S/S these days is fashion. A move backwards.

[Rico]

snotrag said:

For the most part - S/S these days is fashion. A move backwards.

I'm not so sure.

I bought a cheap Commencal Absolut as a mess around bike. That was a singlespeed and it was a huge amount of fun. I just concentrated on riding and mashing the pedals. No noise of chain hitting the chainstays. No slipped gears due to mud in the gears etc.

There's another argument that a singlespeed is a very very good way of XC riding. Obviously a bit lighter, but it also improves one's fitness hugely. There's a lot of times on geared bikes that we shift down to make life easier, when a singlespeed means you have to put more torque in to get up the hills.

I agree that some people do use singlespeeds for fashion reasons, but there is logic in the madness.... somewhere.

[pawsmcgraw]

snotrag said:

You can run singlespeed on ANY frame as long as you use an appropriate method of chain tensioning.

Anyone who runs SS on a suspended trail bike as an idiot though.

If your so bothered aobut simplicity and light weight, what about a scooter? Unicycle? Hiking boots?

For the most part - S/S these days is fashion. A move backwards.

I agree.How do you make a single speed even more inefficient/heavier and slower?Make it a 29er!

[vrooom]

I didnt even know single speed is used as fashion!

[pastrana72]

vrooom said:

I didnt even know single speed is used as fashion!

Me neither, but I have a BMX, so what do I know about fashion.

;)

[JPJ]

I think the OP's question has already been answered regarding the viability of running SS on a full sus bike - not really a worthwhile or beneficial thing to do. Even the Kona 'A' was dropped pretty soon after it did it's original production run.

As for it being a fashion - oh please. Everyone I know who runs an SS does it for two main reasons - it's a cheap hack bike mainly built of old or bargain parts, or they want to build up extra power and fitness. I agree the popularity of some of the new 'faux courier' road designs are a bit of a fashion statement, bought by people wanting to look cool, but you could say that about many high end bikes you see on the trails that aren't being ridden well.

For those people who've given SS'ing a go, most would say it's been worth it. They have a lighter bike which they don't have to care about too much, they don't mind if it gets caked in mud, and can be generally abused during the winter if not all year. It improves their flow and retention of momentum while trail riding, and when they get to hills it builds up arm, back and leg muscles that geared bikes don't. For all the nay-sayers, give it a proper go and then if you don't get something out of it then fine, but most people do.

[snotrag]

JPJ - I'm not anti-s/s at all.

But working in a bike shop - yes, a lot of people are doing it because its cool. If your riding stuff that is best ridden on a 5" travel Trail frame, then your also riding stuff that deserves 24 gears.

The amount of people building brakeless/fixed old stter bikes now is ridiculous, and there all getting run over. Idiots.

S/S is great for muddy enduro races and flatish trails. Not for 'Mountain biking'.

[vrooom]

and dirt jumping and light downhill..

[DRB]

I've seen a few full suss bikes run SS, it can be done but you would need a sprung tensioner, or just use a rear mech with the limit screws adjusted appropriately.

I'm a big SS/fixed fan, I find it pushes me to ride faster up hill, and generally be less lazy, but I agree if your riding stuff that needs full suspension, then gears would also be beneficial.

[mk1fan]

snotrag said:

then your also riding stuff that deserves 24 gears.

Or 27 even ;-)

I run a s/s commuter because a single gear is all I need along the route of my commute. I am also building up my Stiffee with a Alfine hub in time for Winter. The Huslter is keeping the 9 x 3 set-up though.

Edited by mk1fan on Monday 4th August 13:24

[WBC]

I have been riding SS for the past six months and have no plans to change back. I know I ride faster overall now because of the change (I realise it is hard to empirically prove this) but my lap times were five minutes faster per lap on average in this years Bristol Bikefest compared to last year and if anything I had done less training. At risk of getting a further bashing, at the same time as switching to SS, I also put on a rigid fork as in my opinion it fits better with the 'pure and simple' ethos of SS. Riding fully rigid makes you choose your line more carefully and ultimately is far more satisfying than just being able to blast through stuff and letting the bike do the work for you.

For the most part, the riding I do doesn't warrant FS. For example places/events I have ridden in the past couple of months include Bristol Bikefest 12hr, Bontrager Twentyfour12 at Newnham Park Plymouth and Afan Skyline Trail all of which were ridden fully rigid and SS without any problem. Curiously the main advantage IMO is climbing. You are forced to get out of the saddle and honk up the hills which is far quicker than spinning away in the granny ring. Admittedly on some climbs you may have to get off and push but 9/10 it is still quicker than a geared set up.

Suspension is definitely not a replacement for bike handling skills. Similarly having gears is not a replacement to being able to ride at a consistent steady pace and flowing through sections. I followed Matt Carr (a well known singlespeeder who rides for VW Trek) last year at Bristol when I was riding with gears and he was singlespeed. I could happily keep up along a section of doubletrack as he was spinning out on ~32x16. However once we got to a technical section of singletrack he pretty much kept up the same pace and just disappeared leaving me to the sound of my gear changes!

Don't get me wrong though, I believe that there is a time and a place for gears and suspension. For example I rode the Dragons Back at Coed y Brenin a couple of months back and would have enjoyed the ride far more if I had had suspension as the downhills were more a case of riding to survive rather than attacking them. I rode the next day there on Santa Cruz Heckler and enjoyed myself much more because the terrain is more suited to suspension but was far slower on the climbs as I had to stay seated and just spin a low gear. I was impressed with the traction the bike had climbing over wet rock and just how much you could get away with going downhill. However for the most part the places I ride don't require 5 inches of travel and 24/27 gears. When I have the spare money though....

I can understand that people might not 'get' SS but it is all a case of 'horses for courses' and for my courses SS rules!

[custardkid]

Single speed
- work really well in muddy woods, with twisty narrow single track (relatively flat). the lack of gears means the take up and acceleration are alot quicker, ideal for winding through the trees. put hydralic discs on it, then you have no cables to clog or mechs to brake on tree stumps and a vertually maintainance free bike over the winter (11)months. just ask any one who lives in Bristol!

proper bike (FS)
- scotland / wales or any where single speed too slow or knee busting (every where else)

why you'd want a full sus single speed i dont know....

custard

[a11y_m]

I tried singlespeeding for a while with a conversion kit and tensioner on a regular hardtail. Liked it so much that I bought a proper singlespeed frame (Dialled Bikes Love/Hate). Unfortunately after 6 months my back just can't take it - the stuff I ride is too hilly...

Best of both worlds?

Dialled Bikes Love/Hate with an internal gear hub
- no chain slap or rattling chain
- no mechs to bend/break/lose
- sealed cable from shifter to hub (no maintenance apart from a new one every year I'd guess)
- not affected in the least by mud
- weighs the same as an XT-equipped bike (well, a Shimano Alfine does but a Rolhoff is heavier)
- my back likes it...


It shall become a singlespeed again for SSUK09 though