[el Camino]

I ride a single speed in the steepness of Idaho. I'm mostly fine, cuz of my insane strength and the raw power generated deep in my beer gut. But there are moments when I sure would like a granny gear. Is anyone doing anything interesting in this R&D department? I feel like these huge cassettes and derailleurs are getting pretty stale and clanky. All I need is a climbing gear and an "everything else" gear.

 

[127.0.0.1]

two speed kickshift disc hub with appropriate front ring

https://road.cc/content/review/33373-sturmey-archer-s2-kickshift-hub

Sturmey-Archer | S2K Red

Gear 1 - 100% (Direct Drive)
• Gear 2 - 138% (Gear 1 + 38%)

 

[chazpat]

https://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/mods-asleep-post-your-dinglespeeds-991379.html

 

[Redlands R&C]

I've thought about running a GX/X01 DH 7 speed setup on my bike for a while now, the ratios on those 7speed cassettes are 10-23/12-25 if I recall.
Could also run a truncated/modded homemade cassette with 3-4 Surly SS cogs, a Zee/Saint rear derailleur and a friction shifter.

 

[She&I]

Chain tensioner and 2 rings in front, no der. Flick the chain to the small ring with your toe to downshift if you don't use a bash ring.

 

[Forest Rider]

I'd second a 2nd chain ring and front derailleur. I know a roadie with a 2 speed road bike, single gear with 2 rings.

 

[Cotharyus]

Search "dingle speed" - I seem to recall a conversation about this a while back.

 

[mack_turtle]

the idea behind dinglespeed is that you have two gear combos that use the same length chain. you'll still need a single-speed tensioning option of some sort- sliders, EBB, track ends, or a tensioner. it will take a bit of fiddling to change gears, but you can do so at the top of a big climb while trying to catch your breath.

 

[127.0.0.1]

dinglespeeds take fiddling. often stopping.

so if you want a hassle free ride w/o stops

a kickshift is a) no tensioner b) no need to stop c) short learning curve can shift it about anytime anywhere

 

[scottzg]

Maybe a retro-direct system?

 

[CougarSlayer]

Looks for an old Hammerschmidt crankset on ebay

 

[jrm]

I built a 2spd kick back hub into a SS CX bike and after a couple of rides i replaced it with the SS wheel. Mainly b/c the extra gear was only about 33% and it was easier to remain standing using the taller of the two gears. I noticed a bit of hub drag and lapses between shifts which i didnt like b/cit messed up my cadence. I have a rigid niner with a 1 x 10 with a 30/42 granny i really like b/c it has so much range.