Crank-a-Roo
10-12-2006, 07:37 PM
I converted my mountain bike into a single speed last night. It was easier than I thought it would be. Now my bike runs on 34x16 but I still want to go lower with a 18. Still, I took the bike out during the lunch hour. I am not in a good shape right now, but I had so much fun climbing on that bike. The Mustache bar really aided the effort as well. I still have to get used to the shifterless bike. I wanted to shift when I was at the stop light.
If I want to take the bike off road, what gear should I be running on the back?
Hollywood
10-12-2006, 07:59 PM
If I want to take the bike off road, what gear should I be running on the back?
shift that thing on over here (http://forums.mtbr.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46)
welcome to the house of pain.
StormShadow
10-13-2006, 06:50 AM
34:16 is a pretty easy ratio.
A lot of people talk about a 2:1 ratio as a starting point. Looks like you are right on track. Give it a shot offroad and make adjustments as you need to.
Crank-a-Roo
10-13-2006, 07:06 AM
The bike opened new door and adventure for me. I think I will convert my 15 year old 7 speed road bike into a singlespeed soon.
JCavilia
10-13-2006, 08:24 AM
The bike opened new door and adventure for me. I think I will convert my 15 year old 7 speed road bike into a singlespeed soon.
here's a devil whispering in your ear: "Try that road bike fixed." I'm guessing you'll get hooked -- unless you get bucked off and crash the first time you space out and try to coast. Most folks get through that fine, though.
skidmark
10-13-2006, 09:15 AM
For a new singlespeeder, 34x16 is a pretty tall gear, depending on your fitness and where you ride. When I was riding a 26", even after a couple of years of hard riding and racing I still only pushed a 34x18 or 32x17. A couple of my friends even run a 32x20 for longer/hillier rides. Too hard of a gear to start with can be discouraging, so try the easier gear and see if you can ride most of your local trails first, then adjust harder if necessary. I guess it also depends if you are a "spinner" or a "masher". Welcome to the dark-side, you'll be hooked before you know it.:thumbsup:
Crank-a-Roo
10-13-2006, 07:25 PM
here's a devil whispering in your ear: "Try that road bike fixed." I'm guessing you'll get hooked -- unless you get bucked off and crash the first time you space out and try to coast. Most folks get through that fine, though.
I am already thinking about that. Once the road bike is fixed, I am afraid that my cyclcross bike will end up with the same faith.