The main reason I dont go single gear is simply that the land is hilly around here, some banks are 1 in 5 or so, not exactly the easiest to get a bike up.

Its not like everywhere is flat American plains land  :mrgreen:  

I ride many hills around here--steep with switchbacks, on my single. Just stand. The Warner parks switchbacks are so steep as to require at least a 34/25 on a road bike, and you go so slow that you almost tip over, but I dont ride there as its in way boring old money Belle Meade. Al Gore lives over there though.

http://www.nashville.gov/parks/warner.htm#
http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/

Quote from: soopahflyBadabing!  Dont go towards the light!!!!
(Image removed from quote.)
Its calling you!



And max can treat himself to a Pompino
http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=4&MMN_position=12:12

So is this!




drooooooooooooooool.

Quote from: maximusotterI ride many hills around here--steep with switchbacks, on my single. Just stand. The Warner parks switchbacks are so steep as to require at least a 34/25 on a road bike, and you go so slow that you almost tip over, but I dont ride there as its in way boring old money Belle Meade. Al Gore lives over there though.

http://www.nashville.gov/parks/warner.htm#
http://www.bellemeadeplantation.com/

I used to do that, my first bikes were single speeds, then I ended up with arthritis and I got a racer that had a high set of gearing ratios, the lowest was just about OK for hill climbs and the highest pushed it for downhill use. Now its just too painful to use a single gear, I would have to push uphill.

Chris Kink, White Industries, Phil Wood: too much quality, cause we know ya cant resist.

Fortunately road riding doesnt require anything fancy in the way of hubs. Im riding rebuilt bottom barrel Shimano 2200 (sora) converted to single. If you repack them with good 25 grade bearings, its a stealth way to do it on the cheap. Mmmmm, buttery.

Now, I wouldnt mind a vintage set of Campy pista high-flange hubs. :slobber:

Quote from: SeriousI used to do that, my first bikes were single speeds, then I ended up with arthritis and I got a racer that had a high set of gearing ratios, the lowest was just about OK for hill climbs and the highest pushed it for downhill use. Now its just too painful to use a single gear, I would have to push uphill.

My riding route is definitely not one for the arthritic or weak kneed. :mrgreen: My cadence varies wildly, Ill do 20rpm on climbs and 120rpm descents.

Max, what sort of ratio would you go for considering itll be up and down hill stuff i will be doing - mainly fast trail riding.... no MAJOR ascents or descents..

I ride 42/16 which is ~2.6/1, but thats street and with 700c wheels. Most offroaders do 2:1, and 32/16 is a popular combo. You might want tougher gearing for your little moo-children. Better too low than too high, imho--but do what feels right.

Quote from: maximusotterI ride 42/16 which is ~2.6/1, but thats street and with 700c wheels. Most offroaders do 2:1, and 32/16 is a popular combo. You might want tougher gearing for your little moo-children. Better too low than too high, imho--but do what feels right.

32/16 (2:1) sounds right, from what ive read... ill give it a go!

your conversion kit comes with a 16T.

Id get a couple more Shimano DX cogs for fun and giggles. You should be able to go up or down 2 teeth with the same size chain. Bring a chain whip and lockring tool in yer camelpack and experiment trailside. :mrgreen:

DX cogs come in:    14T,15T,16T,18T

Wiggle has gusset brand cogs in 14, 16, 18 and 20t for  Ã,£3.99.

Despite what anybody says, do not try to break your cassette and use hyperglide cogs--your chain will jump and you will get hurted. Old 80s Uniglide cassette cogs, however, work great.

DONE....

Ordered the middleburn RS7 crank: http://www.middleburn.co.uk/cranks_rs7.php and the Uno (for singlespeeders) spider...

Cant wait to try it...

Ohh, bash ring! Youll have a drive train that makes Chuck Norris cry.

Quote from: maximusotterOhh, bash ring! Youll have a drive train that makes Chuck Norris cry.

 :?:  :shock:

Quote from: Badabing

Quote from: maximusotterOhh, bash ring! Youll have a drive train that makes Chuck Norris cry.

 :?:  :shock:

Youll boulder jump like Jack Baur torturing terrorists, like Arnie wielding two AK47-s, like the Gravedigger crushing cars!





I have seen Gravedigger live, btw, at the Seattle Kingdome. I took a reluctant hippie chick, but by the end she was screaming "go Gravedigger, GO!"

Quote from: maximusotterOhh, bash ring! Youll have a drive train that makes Chuck Norris cry.

Chuck Norris doesnt cry, he just makes other people do that...