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Single speed vs gears, what are the pros and cons?

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tony312

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,
Im riding with gears atm, but do alot of DJ and FR and gears bother me sometimes so i was thinking of changing to single speed but i need some tips on wheather its a good idea?
And i read on a website that v-brakes are better when riding with single speed?

Thanks
Tony
 
#2 ·
Brakes are a separate issue from single speed riding IMHO

Single speed is always a good idea because it makes you feel really good.
 
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#4 · (Edited)
There must be lists about this already. Here is what I came up with just now:

SS is lighter:
+ less stuff (no shifters, no deraillers, less chainrings, no cogs, less chain, no cables)
- some of which is offset by the weight of the tensioning mechanism

SS is cheaper and less demanding:
+ less stuff to maintain
+ less lube to apply ;)

SS is healthier:
+ less pressure on sit flesh
+ stronger whole body (not much abs though)
+ greater range of cadence

SS is safer:
+ no chain ring injuries
+ no chain suck
+ no chain skipping
+ much less chance of dropping chain

SS is easier:
+ greater ground clearance
+ easier to climb most uphills

SS is more fun:
+ more biking
+ no negotiating with technology
+ positive comments from others
+ never in the wrong gear

SS is better to race with:
+ starts first at some races (e.g. Sea Otter Classic) when the trails are not yet crowded

SS is greener:
+ less stuff consumed
+ rejects "you need gears" marketing

SS is quieter:
+ no derailler to dangle around

Geared is faster on flats:
+ better to ride to the trail head instead of driving
+ commutes faster
+ possible to pass roadies

Ali
 
#5 ·
I second what Pisket says about all the technical reasons.

But don't get too caught up in technical thoughts, remember the most important reason is - it feels good, way better than riding with gears.
 
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#6 ·
One thing I hate about riding geared bikes is that when I jump off of curbs or smaller ramps, I hate hearing the sounds of all the gears and such dangling around...it always makes me wonder if everything on the bike is ok. Plus, no more chain derailing!
 
#7 ·
Velobike said:
I second what Pisket says about all the technical reasons.

But don't get too caught up in technical thoughts, remember the most important reason is - it feels good, way better than riding with gears.
Click to expand...
Ditto.

It is interesting...when I started SS'ing I thought I'd miss my gears mostly on hills. I did at first, but after a few weeks the hills were fine and come to find out it is the flats/road where I miss my gears. Spinning 110+ rpm and only doing 12-13 mph *really* sucks.

Fortunately for me, where I ride the most has *very* little flat so it is all good!

Hmmm...I do miss my gears when I go somewhere I'm not familiar with and get "caught out" on the gearing. It is manageable, though. I've just learned to use the Internet to find another SS'er familiar with the place and see what they run there. If I can't, I could always put gears (temporarily) on my SIR9 for the first ride. Though, to date, I've just suffered through it and felt great I survived at the end :)
 
#9 ·
A few "pros" about SS I noticed after yesterday's ride:

1. The look on a gearie's face as you passed him on the uphill in a SS is priceless. The look on a gearie's face as you passed him, while he's walking, on the uphill in a SS is beyond words. :)

2. When you get passed by a better gearie on an uphill, you'll always have the excuse of being limited by only one gear. ;) (The excuses on flat and downhill are obvious.)
 
#10 ·
TeeKay said:
1. The look on a gearie's face as you passed him on the uphill in a SS is priceless. The look on a gearie's face as you passed him, while he's walking, on the uphill in a SS is beyond words. :)
Click to expand...
Or similarly, the look on your gearie friend's faces while waiting for them to get to the top of the hill, as you stand there at the top of the hill with your elbows on your bars...and your water bottle out takin' a swig...for the 4th time in a 5 mile ride...especially when they were owning you a few months ago on climbs when you too were a gearie. Yeah, priceless.
 
#12 ·
pros-
easier to maintain (clean the chain that is it)
makes you a better rider by learning how to use momentum
probably makes your legs stronger
to me it is more fun
satisfaction of beating people on geared bikes
cheaper

cons-
it is undoubtedly slower
potentially hard on your knees
single speed is not made for riding huge hills or real mountains (unless you are a true BA)
road riding is hard unless you have the right gear, then riding the trails is hard
chain tension (not really a con because it is better than messing with a derailleur.)

That is all i can think of at the moment. like i said, generally it is more fun to ride ss.
 
#15 ·
SS is simpler and makes less noise. It's harder to climb and it's going to limit your speed on the flats and descents. Initial drivetrain setup is a bigger pain than gears, but maintenance is much simpler. Choose gearing based on your strength and the conditions you ride in, 32/18 is what I run. That seems fairly close to what most folks around here are using. It's rubbish at the dirt jump park though, can't build up enough speed.
 
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