Well, I finally scored the brakes for my singlespeed project (Thanks Hippy for the front ones) and today was my first commute to Southbank along the Yarra Trail (23 km or so each way).
It was certainly different and made me work a lot harder on the uphills to keep my cadence up to a reasonable level. I also found that I was out of the seat for the steeper hills which I usually change down and spin up (say goodbye to the chicken legs hopefully).
The only downside was that I found that I had to glide on downhills where I would normally push it faster (running a 32T front chainring and a 15T rear cog). I was also "maxing out" on the flats and hitting a speed where I just couldn't pedal any faster. I think I might try a 14T or 13T on the back sometime later this week.
Anyway, using an old bike frame, total cost was $80 (for V brakes, rigid forks, brake cables) with the rest of the parts coming from the bike or my parts bin.
I reckon that today was my first ride of a single speed in about 20 to 25 years or so when I traded in my Malvern Star for a Three Speed Dragster (with T bar shift and huge sissy bar).
Well, I finally scored the brakes for my singlespeed project (Thanks Hippy for the front ones) and today was my first commute to Southbank along the Yarra Trail (23 km or so each way).
It was certainly different and made me work a lot harder on the uphills to keep my cadence up to a reasonable level. I also found that I was out of the seat for the steeper hills which I usually change down and spin up (say goodbye to the chicken legs hopefully).
The only downside was that I found that I had to glide on downhills where I would normally push it faster (running a 32T front chainring and a 15T rear cog). I was also "maxing out" on the flats and hitting a speed where I just couldn't pedal any faster. I think I might try a 14T or 13T on the back sometime later this week.
Anyway, using an old bike frame, total cost was $80 (for V brakes, rigid forks, brake cables) with the rest of the parts coming from the bike or my parts bin.
I reckon that today was my first ride of a single speed in about 20 to 25 years or so when I traded in my Malvern Star for a Three Speed Dragster (with T bar shift and huge sissy bar).
Ride on,
Gags
Ride on Gags.
I managed to include another little section of singletrack on my singlespeed commute tonight. Not a very long section, probably less than 50m, but in the city I'll take all I can get.
The only downside was that I found that I had to glide on downhills where I would normally push it faster (running a 32T front chainring and a 15T rear cog). I was also "maxing out" on the flats and hitting a speed where I just couldn't pedal any faster. I think I might try a 14T or 13T on the back sometime later this week. Ride on, Gags
Welcome to the club Gags
I would strongly suggest that you move up to a bigger chainring then smaller rear cog especially if you're using some sort of tension device You're more likely to throw the chain yanking up those hills on a smal cog. If given a choice, always go with more teeth then less to achiev your desired gearing
Originally posted by Gags Well, I finally scored the brakes for m singlespeed project (Thanks Hippy for the front ones
No wuckins! ;
Quoted message said:
It was certainly different and made me work a lot harder on the uphill to keep my cadence up to a reasonable level
Yep.. feel the burn! I've got big legs though so do most hills seate unless I'm trying to go really hard upwards.
Quoted message said:
The only downside was that I found that I had to glide on downhill where I would normally push it faster (running a 32T front chainrin and a 15T rear cog). I was also "maxing out" on the flats and hitting speed where I just couldn't pedal any faster. I think I might try a 14 or 13T on the back sometime later this week
My problem exactly. I need to gear up. I would suggest to you though t put a bigger chainring on rather than a smaller rear cog. More teeth better engagement and slower wearing parts. There's almost no teeth lef on my chainring so soon I'm going to fit a 34T or 36T and leave the 15 on the rear or move up a little, depending on how it feels
My problem exactly. I need to gear up. I would suggest to you though to put a bigger chainring on rather than a smaller rear cog. More teeth = better engagement and slower wearing parts. There's almost no teeth left on my chainring so soon I'm going to fit a 34T or 36T and leave the 15T on the rear or move up a little, depending on how it feels. hippy
Hey Hippy
I reckon you've been ridding enough SS to go to at least a 42x16
Anyway, using an old bike frame, total cost was $80 (for V brakes, rigid forks, brake cables) with the rest of the parts coming from the bike or my parts bin. I reckon that today was my first ride of a single speed in about 20 to 25 years or so when I traded in my Malvern Star for a Three Speed Dragster (with T bar shift and huge sissy bar). Ride on, Gags
Hi Everyon
have been lurking for sometime during my lunchbreaks ;-) and all thi talk of single speed projects is just too much for a gal to take
I have an old repco supalight tucked away out the back of the house an I keep thinking what am I going to do with that?? Now I know ;-) Thank for the inspiration!!
Looking forward to hearing how you progress Gags....
Hey Hippy, I reckon you've been ridding enough SS to go to at least a 42x16. Go on ... you know you want to ...
The street fixie will be geared something like that. I think th chainring in the groupset was 48 and the cog was 17 or 18
As for the SS, it will depend on what chainrings I can find for it. didn't actually think about going that high but it's worth a try suppose. You've only got one set of knees.. better to use them to thei fullest potential early, right? ;
The street fixie will be geared something like that. I think the chainring in the groupset was 48 and the cog was 17 or 18? As for the SS, it will depend on what chainrings I can find for it. I didn't actually think about going that high but it's worth a try I suppose. You've only got one set of knees.. better to use them to their fullest potential early, right? 😉 hippy
Good Luck with those chain rings ... last year I wanted a 36 or 38T rin for offroad use and my LBS guy recommended blackspire DH rings
I waited 2 mths for that ring and the distributor kept spending one i the wrong BCD. Finally, we said ?%&$ this, and that was the end of that
Anyway, I now run 44x16 with slicks (almost 1.5 years now)... it's very doable gearing and not as tough as you might think. Your legs wil adjust to the gearing and eventually your knees won't hurt anymore. O most days, I feel more strain on my calfs then I do in my knees ... mor so because I don't warm up before my commute
On most days, I feel more strain on my calfs then I do in my knees ... more so because I don't warm up before my commute. cheers Koon
You forgot to mention you live in a hill-less part of Melbourne :
I tried 42x16 on my project SS (the wheel is going great. tanx!) bu have gone back to a 38T and put some slicker tyres on. now i just nee some narrower rims than the Rhyno that was on it so I can go back t using my Fatboys agai
Heck, Im even thinkun of doing the 'Hippy-cum-courier' thang and gettin a FUX bag as rack pannier is a pain for so much out-of-saddle stuf
I reckon that today was my first ride of a single speed in about 20 to 25 years or so when I traded in my Malvern Star for a Three Speed Dragster (with T bar shift and huge sissy bar). Ride on, Gags
Congrats! Don't believe my short commute 'round to the new place on BMX with flat tyres matches up to your achievement. But hurt though even attempting to stand the pedals just made the whole enterprise mor painful. :
Originally posted by Koon Yong I waited 2 mths for that ring and th distributor kept spending >one in the wrong BCD. Finally, we said ?%& this, and that was >the end of that
I've heard similar stories before.. so I guess it applies to Oz too
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Anyway, I now run 44x16 with slicks (almost 1.5 years now)... >it's very doable gearing and not as tough as you might think
Are there many hills in Kuala Lumpur? I wanted to keep the GT on the lo side for improving my spin and because it does get used off-road a bit
If Vegemite/UndieSoiler gets built soon enough I can leave the GT' gearing alone and use the bigger gearing on the fixie.
Originally posted by flyingdutch Heck, Im even thinkun of doing the 'Hippy-cum courier' thang and getting a FUX bag as rack pannier is a pain for s much out-of-saddle stuf
Copycat from Ballarat! :
Backpacks, etc. are heaps better than panniers, unless the load you nee to carry doesn't fit in a backpack
You forgot to mention you live in a hill-less part of Melbourne 😄 I tried 42x16 on my project SS (the wheel is going great. tanx!) but have gone back to a 38T and put some slicker tyres on. now i just need some narrower rims than the Rhyno that was on it so I can go back to using my Fatboys again Heck, Im even thinkun of doing the 'Hippy-cum-courier' thang and getting a FUX bag as rack pannier is a pain for so much out-of-saddle stuff
Yes Dutchy
I do admit that my commute is rather hill-less ... but I have done mor "hilly" rides on the weekend and they've gone fine. It all boils down t spinning. the faster you can spin, the less it hurts
How big are the fatboys? I run a 1.7 on that same rim ... had a 1.6 onc too I believe
Are there many hills in Kuala Lumpur? I wanted to keep the GT on the low side for improving my spin and because it does get used off-road a bit. If Vegemite/UndieSoiler gets built soon enough I can leave the GT's gearing alone and use the bigger gearing on the fixie.. hippy
errr ... I don't live in KL ... I'm right here in Melbourne Australia
But I have been to KL and there are some nice slopes in the country .. but road conditions are pretty bad, so fatter tyres are a must IMO
Originally posted by Koon Yong errr ... I don't live in KL ... I' right here in Melbourne Australia
My bad.. I confuzzed you with "EoinC" because he was talking abou fixies in KL the other day. Apologies. Now I have to re-read this threa without thinking about foreign traffic and foreign hills.. :
Your legs will adjust to the gearing and eventually your knees won't hurt anymore. On most days, I feel more strain on my calfs then I do in my knees ...
You guys really konw how to make this sound like fun...
In article <[email hidden]>, Koon Yon <[email hidden]> wrote: Your legs will adjust to th gearing and eventually your knees won't hurt anymore. On most days, feel more strain on my calfs then I do in my knees ..
Quoted message said:
You guys really konw how to make this sound like fun..
Who said anything about fun? This is all about PAIN
Welcome to the M half of cycling's own S&M club.. ;-) (The S half i getting your mates into it...
Yes Dutchy, I do admit that my commute is rather hill-less ... but I have done more "hilly" rides on the weekend and they've gone fine. It all boils down to spinning. the faster you can spin, the less it hurts. How big are the fatboys? I run a 1.7 on that same rim ... had a 1.6 once too I believe. Cheers Koon
a skinny 1inch. As Bald as an ALP candidate for Kingsford-Smith
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