FIxed gear.... take the crazy talk away!
Maybe contrary to those who don't ride SS. I wouldn't call myself an especially good SS rider but certainly the place where I most get left behind is on the flat (moreso slightly downhill fireroad) and DH (riding fully rigid though, so that doesn't help the DH). When I'm left behind going up, it's not about the bike. I find it frustrating following geared bikes up climbs like the switchbacks at Stromlo, because so many geared riders slow so much for the switchback, changing down gears. I can only guess it's because they can. Fully rigid 29er SS: momentum is my friend.
Yep have to agree the only hard thing about riding SS is the constant barage of questions and comments.I reckon the hardest part about riding SS is fending off all the comments: you're mad, crazy, hard, stupid, awesome, why, ...
There's not much wrong with fixed/rigid until you point it down some techy stuff and pedal strike comes in to the equation. Nothing climbs better in my opinion.
Pretty much, you're only a little crazier than I am. Hope I can squeeze a fixed 'cross lap in with you at the Fat Tyre Fest...There's not much wrong with fixed/rigid until you point it down some techy stuff and pedal strike comes in to the equation. Nothing climbs better in my opinion.
Back me up here alchemist, I'm not crazy
Ratification from another crazy person that you're not crazy? I'm tempted to give a fixed wheel a go but I see it ending in tears for me on anything other than tarmac. Respect to the people that can do a lap around ourimbah fixed, I'll buy that man a beer. (applies only to fat tyre festival. written and spoken by an unauthorised person)There's not much wrong with fixed/rigid until you point it down some techy stuff and pedal strike comes in to the equation. Nothing climbs better in my opinion.
Back me up here alchemist, I'm not crazy
Spot on, SS is slower on long flat sections, slower up steep hills - and traction comes into the equation as an issue as well - slower downhill, although my observation would be for sustained climbs of less demanding inclination, and undulating terrain there may not be significant differences. Gearing range exists for a reason, that reason being that we are riding a variety of terrain in most events.
I'll order 22 pale ales thanks
(if the last two years count)
Only valid for this years shindig and must be clipped in for the entire lap, no walking allowed.... this could cost me a shed load of beers, who likes tooheys red?I'll order 22 pale ales thanks
im not saying your wrong but if your rite
Hum ... You understand that I was talking specifically about me, not all singlespeeders, right?
I am obviously nowhere near your level of cardiovascular fitness!That'd be great, but I'm already knackered by the time I have to get off.
Spinning is good to be able to do, but let's face it: At 135rpm you're running massively inefficiently, and it's just not sustainable. IE, a lot of your energy is put into moving your legs rather than the pedals. (~65RPM = most efficient?) With a gearing of 2:1 on 26" wheels (let's call it 2100mm rollout), 135rpm is only 34kmh. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking with it.
Theo, most folks start with a 2:1 ratio and see how they go, which equates to 32:16 or 38:19. My guess would be that unless where you're riding is very flat with pretty tame uphill sections, 38:16 will be too tall a gear ratio.
