Glad you took the leap. Can we see a picture of your pinky?
Notes from my first SS ride
I just wanted to share some notes from my first singlespeed ride. Maybe this will convince some others to give it a try.
To give a little background, been riding for about 10 years - primarily full suspension - latest bike being a Specialized Enduro Comp.
Newest bike is a Surly 1x1 acquired via eBay. I put it together using some spare parts I had laying around the garage. Anything I was lacking - I found second hand on eBay. Total cost out of pocket ended up being around $600. It's fully rigid with a Surly fork up front, rolling on 2.4 Mutano Raptors. Gearing sits at 32/18.
- It's faster than I thought. This bike just feels so efficient. It flies on the flats and slight inclines,
- Quiet! No more rattling from the suspension linkage. No more squeaks from the rear derailleur. No more chain rub up front. It is really quite soothing.
- I'm a poor spinner. I guess the full suspension has always masked my spinning deficiency. Gotta work on that...
- I've gotten lazy at picking lines. Guess I've gotten used to just rolling over stuff. No such luck when riding a rigid bike. For now, the technical singletrack climbs are too tough for me not to walk it. I hope that changes with time.
- Makes old trails new again. The singlespeed experience is so much different. It made a trail that I ride 4-5 times a week seem new again.
- A blast on singletrack. The quietness coupled with the nimble handling of a rigid bike can't be beat.
- My body hurts. I guess the years on the full suspension have spoiled me...
In conclusion - it was a load of fun. I don't think I'll be hanging up the Enduro any time soon, because I'm sure there are some trails that are better suited for it.
Oh..and one more thing I learned today....
- Nobody says hello to a guy riding a pink bike......
To give a little background, been riding for about 10 years - primarily full suspension - latest bike being a Specialized Enduro Comp.
Newest bike is a Surly 1x1 acquired via eBay. I put it together using some spare parts I had laying around the garage. Anything I was lacking - I found second hand on eBay. Total cost out of pocket ended up being around $600. It's fully rigid with a Surly fork up front, rolling on 2.4 Mutano Raptors. Gearing sits at 32/18.
- It's faster than I thought. This bike just feels so efficient. It flies on the flats and slight inclines,
- Quiet! No more rattling from the suspension linkage. No more squeaks from the rear derailleur. No more chain rub up front. It is really quite soothing.
- I'm a poor spinner. I guess the full suspension has always masked my spinning deficiency. Gotta work on that...
- I've gotten lazy at picking lines. Guess I've gotten used to just rolling over stuff. No such luck when riding a rigid bike. For now, the technical singletrack climbs are too tough for me not to walk it. I hope that changes with time.
- Makes old trails new again. The singlespeed experience is so much different. It made a trail that I ride 4-5 times a week seem new again.
- A blast on singletrack. The quietness coupled with the nimble handling of a rigid bike can't be beat.
- My body hurts. I guess the years on the full suspension have spoiled me...
In conclusion - it was a load of fun. I don't think I'll be hanging up the Enduro any time soon, because I'm sure there are some trails that are better suited for it.
Oh..and one more thing I learned today....
- Nobody says hello to a guy riding a pink bike......
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Welcome to the SS fold. Glad you like it. I remember back when I first started singlespeeding I just plain hated it (took it up for race training, not fun). But now, after three years or so, I like SS best. Look out -- this is not an uncommon phenomenon. SS has an insidious way of taking over one's brain! At times I feel guilty owning a nice FS geared bike because I hardly ride it.dubjay said:
Anyway, good on ya.
--Sparty
Late edit: Observation: "insidious" is not the name of a shoe manufacturer.
2
Finally took some pics
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Excuse the quality of these pictures. California morning sunshine today wasn't too good for my cheapie camera.ATXSS said:
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