After a much heated debate about Single Speeding, I feel there is need to clear the air a bit. I
promise not to preach.
Myth number 1: SS bikes(ers) are slower than multi-geared bikes.
Anybody who has half a brain will be able to tell you it's the rider that makes the bike go faster
or slower...'nuff said.
Myth number 2: SS bikes take no more skill to ride than multi-geared bikes rigid or not rigid. Fully
rigid meaning no mechanical suspension.
It takes improved skills when riding a fully rigid SS on technical terrain. You need to be much more
precise about picking your line. For example on a geared suspension bike you would be more likely to
rely on a lower gear and the front suspension to simply roll over obstacles that may be in your way,
knowing full well that the front sus. will cushion any shock that my throw the bike off line
otherwise.
A rigid SS on the other hand doesn't afford you that same luxury. If you do need to go over the
obstacle you need to use your body parts like your arms and legs to act as your suspension. If
you don't improve those skills not only will you go off-line but you will wear out your body
very quickly.
I'm not saying that people who ride suspension bikes don't have this skill but I am saying
that people who ride rigid bikes will most likely <== "most likely" have improved skills in
this category.
Now for the gears, going up a steep technical area with gears you have the option of gearing down
... mechanically. A lot of time this will help save your energy, eliminate wheel spin, and generally
make life easier. A SS on the other hand doesn't afford you that same luxury. In this example lets
say momentum is not a factor. You still must gear down....But how? Physically, that's how. Without
the option of gears you'll need to use your balance (fore and aft) and lighten up your pedal stroke.
You need to be able to go from hammering to feathering like you're riding on rice paper, it's all
within you no mechanical help. For me this is one of the hardest things to do without gears.
I'm not saying that people who ride geared bikes don't have this skill but I am saying that people
who ride SS bikes will most likely <== "most likely" have improved skills in this category.
This is getting long but now let's throw momentum into the mix.
To get up hills quickly on a geared bike, again you can rely on mechanically going into a lower gear
to keep up an efficient cadence to get to the top of the hill asap.
A SS on the other hand may take a bit more planning (planning is a skill) You will need to carry
your momentum into the hill to minimize the burn you'll be feeling at when you crest. Also,
depending on the size of the hill momentum may mean absolutely nothing, so you'll be depending on
your leg strength and aerobic capacity to get you through.
I'm not saying that people who ride geared bikes don't have this skill but I am saying that people
who ride SS bikes will most likely <== "most likely" have improved skills in this category.
Leg strength and aerobic capacity can be categorized as a skill.
I had a great ride today, conditions where terrible...go figure, but I still learned something,...it
was a good day.
Peace, Bill
The mind serves properly as a window glass rather than as a reflector, that is, the mind should give
an immediate view instead of an interpretation of the world.
:-]