Ok...
So i've been intrigued by the whole single speed concept for quite a while now. Folks like Hal L. and Dave D. sparked my interest, while new convert Greg S. really made me want to try it out. Often this year I've experimented by choosing one gear for a given trail and sticking to it. I found that I wasn't any slower, and mentally i ended up being more relaxed. So as of Thursday, I converted my Niner EMD to a single speed. I rode a 32/19 on my first ride- figured out quickly that it sucks in the city- but is great for the long enduro (8 hours of spruce woods last month at 32/20). Today I rode at bhp (burr oak, blue stem, chickadee) with Kevin Miller, Jason Hiebert (also on single speed), and Gord Buhr (considering single speed). I tried a 32/16 due to burr oak's limited pitches and found it fantastic! Max speed would be about 30km/h and average could easily be maintained at 20. Only once did i feel the need for more gears on the trail, and it was only the trail conditions that slowed me down. There were blankets of fresh fallen leaves, creating a slippery surface for cornering and visually for trail detail perception. There are a few sharp climbs by the tower and no way to get proper momentum into them, and these were the only points of issue. So far... I'm sold. Perhaps for the mountains next summer I'll consider gears again.
Fun Fun!
3 comments:
Hmmm. your feed isn't updating so I'm late to this party!
So you like it eh?
Wait till you start climbing, that is where you will learn to love it!
Good times.. doing trail work now out here (new ones)
I hope so! Can't wait to head out to Brandon to ride with ya (and see the new trails!) Work has caught up with me so I don't think I'll be able to make it out before the... gulp... snow...
You have to make it out next year... Kev and I were 3 hours and I only showed him about half.
Take care, and no "S" words please!
Got your feed to work better now I think.
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