The combination of the word, single speed mountain bike, in the same sentence seems to be a oxymoron at first but a quick search in the web discover a growing community of a single speed mountain bike enthusiasts. I can understand the reason to ride such bikes on the road or on a bike dirt trail with no hard ups and downs, well the downhill is easier but to go up hill with a single speed mountain bike is just torture.
Most the people I know prefer a multi-speed gear for their mountain biking but i am surprised to discover the growing number of bikers enjoying the hard work going up and down on the mountains. There is a big debate around that issue and sometimes people get a bit emotional about it and do take the arguments to a childish struggle. To be honest we all can be carried away sometimes so no judging here.
The first thing to understand about the single speed mountain bike is the gear ratio. As William Machin explains in his post:
" Gear ratio is the relative diameter of the larger chain ring sprocket and the smaller rear sprocket. With a standard 42-tooth chain ring, a larger rear sprocket increases torque, while a smaller rear sprocket achieves more speed. A basic setup for courses with tight turns and sections that require torque might include a 42-tooth chain ring with a 32-tooth rear sprocket. This produces a ratio of 1.5 to 1.0, which equates to one and one-half revolutions of the rear sprocket and rear wheel for each rotation of the pedals."
After we understand the importance of the gear ratio and its effects on our ride it is clear that the people, who choose the single speed mountain bike, like the freedom and the challenges it provides. Some riders will tell you there is nothing similar to a free ride on a single speed mountain bike, just you and the bike, using you body strength and balance with no extra accessorize. To be honest I can't argue with this because its not a matter of reasonable thinking but an emotional one and when emotions are strong nothing else matter. So what is your favorite bike, a single speed mountain bike or a multi-speed mountain bike?
Here is a nice clip to help you decide what is the best single speed for you
Well, being a fan (or should I say a FANATIC!!!!, like many of us!!) of mountain bikes, it fills our thoughts, and to our mates envy, it is too important for us.
Probably like me, you read every mountain bike reviews you can get your hands on. YES, holy wheel!!! As many as possible!
Weekends I like the mountain bike action with all my dudes. We are like an infantry regiment!.
Like old veteran soldiers, we compare our scars, discuss about the best mountain bike ever built, and argue about future trends.
…but, weekends apart, every one of us have obligations…. Job, family, friends….
I myself pass the mayor part of the days sitting in front of a computer screen, away from my passion….
As an alternative (very, very, lean one…) I have set my wallpaper in my computer to show my dedication, and believe me, it gives me inspiration.
Have you tried (those of you who work in front of a screen) to adopt my preference?
I’ve been thinking that maybe I should set my wallpaper to scroll between many pictures of my favorites: mountain bike action full suspensionmountain bikes
specialized mountain bikes
giant mountain bikes
Dear comrade, I’m exaggerating? I’m getting out of proportion? Do I need to set a meeting with a “shrink”?
I hope you will share your opinion with me. Maybe I’m not the only one who thinks like this.
Anyway, anything that keeps me close to my passion, is a blessing.
I have a fairly cheapish mountain bike, recently I have found that when too much pedal force is excerpted, the chain seems to rise up and off of the front largest pedal gear sprockets.
Do I need to remove a link or two from the bike chain because the chain may have become stretched over time?
Or do I need to adjust the derailleur thus to increase chain tension?
mid life time. i have now reached that time in life where i want to do things i could not afford to do before. so i have picked mountain biking. So which bike? the four to choose from bearing in mine that i would like to do the Mountain Mayhem in 2008. Trex, specialized, Orange or Marin £1500-2000 to play with and one year to get fit, aslo looking to upgrade the bike as i go.
I will be using the bike for general cycling and some off-roading, but nothing overly extreme, hence why I am only looking at entry level bikes.
Which of the following would be the best choice, in terms of my needs and the quality of the components used and the weight of the bike - I am also after the lightest model, so if any biking experts know which of the below brands makes the lightest frames, please advise! Thanks.
I've ridden Bedgebury singletrack a few times and am looking for something similar, being fairly new to it I'm not yet ready for jumps and drop offs etc, more speed and technical riding off road etc.
I recently took park in pedal for scotland and really enjoyed the challenge and ride. Where could i get more info on cycle events which would be fun but challenging? What other kind of stuff is fun that i should try?
...have a regular crappy moutain bike and go on beach tracks near my home. However, I would like to join a club and start doing some more tricky and challenging tracks. Do you need a certain type of bike before you can join a club?
I want to get my boyfriend a mountain biking magazine subscription for Christmas and was wondering which one to go for, MBR or Mountain Biking UK. Any opinions would be gratefully recieved
why is DH mountain biking not in the olympics. is it because the brits are too good. It cannot be its not a popular event. If anyone has ever been to a world champ event, it's packed full.
no i think you were watching the womens XC
Im going on holiday to Boston in a few weeks time and im really into the freeride mountain biking scene. If anyone knows of any really cool mountain biking shops that would sell arm/elbow protection armour (preferably Race Face), then would you be able to provide with the name of the shop and the details of the location. Alternatively, if there are any good mountain biking shops in New York, then I would be happy if anyone can tell me about them as I will be flying home from JFK airport.
Thanks
xxx
I know you would probably say, just get a bike and get out riding! But it would be so much more fun to get into the sports with some sort of club or society, plus I can really do with some advice in choosing my first mountain bike on a budget. Any information/advice would be appreciated. Btw, I am located in West Yorkshire. Many thanks in advance!
