Single Speed Mountain Biking - The Zen of One Gear
Single Speed Mountain Biking has grown in popularity but with all of the cool technology available, why would someone take to the trails with only one gear and often no suspension? This is something that has to be answered by each individual, but there are certain themes that prevail.
At it's heart, single speeding is about the ride, not the bike.
When you strip the bike down to the bare minimum you need to ride the trails, you get down to the experience of just riding.
If you want to make it up that hill, you better push harder on the pedals.
To go faster, you have to pedal faster, end of story.
Most mountain bikers look at single speeders like they have a screw loose, which we probably do.
To choose the harder way seems some how wrong to the modern aesthetic of using technology to make things easier.
But that is the key point.
Who ever said mountain biking was supposed to be easy? We ride for both recreation and to test ourselves.
This goes for single speeders and geared riders alike.
What tests you more than choosing the harder path? If you are into recycling, take an old frame and convert it to single speed.
There are specific single speed frames but you can get a taste by doing a conversion.
It's a fun project and as far as bike builds go, very cheap.
But enough of the spiritual journey that is single speeding.
You have lots of practical reasons to recommend going the way of one gear.
People who haven't ridden a single speed think it's a lot harder than it actually is, so they see single speeders as mountain bike tough guys (or girls).
I ride a single speed because it's fun and challenging.
All the other stuff is great for justifying why I do it.
If you want a new thrill, give single speeding a shot.
At it's heart, single speeding is about the ride, not the bike.
When you strip the bike down to the bare minimum you need to ride the trails, you get down to the experience of just riding.
If you want to make it up that hill, you better push harder on the pedals.
To go faster, you have to pedal faster, end of story.
Most mountain bikers look at single speeders like they have a screw loose, which we probably do.
To choose the harder way seems some how wrong to the modern aesthetic of using technology to make things easier.
But that is the key point.
Who ever said mountain biking was supposed to be easy? We ride for both recreation and to test ourselves.
This goes for single speeders and geared riders alike.
What tests you more than choosing the harder path? If you are into recycling, take an old frame and convert it to single speed.
There are specific single speed frames but you can get a taste by doing a conversion.
It's a fun project and as far as bike builds go, very cheap.
But enough of the spiritual journey that is single speeding.
You have lots of practical reasons to recommend going the way of one gear.
- Lighter weight - take off derailleurs, cassette, chainrings and shorten your chain.
That's a lot of weight. - Cheap to maintain - Chains, cogs and chainrings all last longer as their is no side bending of the chain.
When you do have to replace parts they are cheaper.
- More reliable - With no chain slack and no side movement to the chain, you are less likely to bust a chain.
You don't have derailleurs to screw up.
With a single speed, things just keep working. - Better workout - You spin the flats and attack hills out of the saddle, making for a full body workout every time you ride.
The core and upper body get as much work as the legs leading to better over all fitness.
People who haven't ridden a single speed think it's a lot harder than it actually is, so they see single speeders as mountain bike tough guys (or girls).
I ride a single speed because it's fun and challenging.
All the other stuff is great for justifying why I do it.
If you want a new thrill, give single speeding a shot.
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