That "chain tensioner" setup looks super clean, love it. I have a Kona Unit singlespeed showing up this week. Full rigid, but a little less gnar around Calgary than where you are. Thanks for this series, been fun to watch!
Thanks! I feel like I learned a lot about this lesser-known corner of mountain bikes, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience it. I hope more people give single speeding a try!
I'm glad you are having fun even when it sucks. After a SS ride I only remember the good parts and the suck just fades away. To be honest I even enjoy the suck. Makes me stronger physically and mentally. I have a low geared SS MTB and a higher geared rigid SS bike for around town use. Sure it's an extra bike, but having something you can lock up and walk away from without worrying is nice and the money you save in $$ drivetrains pays for that town bike pretty fast.
I have had a few single speed mt bikes and they are brutally humbling. Currently have one in the fleet. It is an old schwinn Moab my friend was about to take to the dump, I saved it, ripped it down to nothing and built it back up with bin parts as a singlespeed. Its 22lbs currently. Put wider bars shorter stem on it, meatier tires, 24t TI granny ring up front and a 12t ghetto single speed setup from an old cassette in the back. tensioned with a short cage road derailleur ran with the tensioner arm pretty much maxed out forward. It works surprisingly well, never skips, has way less parasitic drag (perfect chainline, minimum chain path, etc) I do wish the hub had faster engagement, that is definitely a weak point for it, the hubs kinda suck. The old manitou fork on it works pretty well too surprisingly. My previous ss was a rigid 26er and that is really where it's at. Anyway I have way less than 40 bucks into this thing and its 22 lbs. cant argue with that!
Totally agree with you on all points here! I have a similarly aggressive singlesped setup (Pipedream Moxie) and the only time I regret it is when the trails are flat (or worse: slightly down hill). In those situations I have no choice but to chill and enjoy the scenery lol.
@@HardtailLife, rigid helped me make better line choices, but nothing beats having a suspension fork when things get chunky and fast. Hoping that you share ride data through the experiment to see if you notice any improvement. Also… be sure to taunt those full squish e-bike riders.
Chasing creaks has been my experience with single-speed bikes (rigid too). And chains breaking before they wear out. But in the rides between creaks it's so quiet you hear the forest.
Time for a second bike so you have gears again too. I find where I am the trail climbs are often so steep that the only option is the absolute lightest gear and remaining saddled for keeping the rear tire grippy, so super long seatpost 210 dropper. Come ride some Island trails at some point, Mt. Benson in Gnarnaimo is steep but fun, especially the red zone on trailforks behind Westwood lake, the trails arent on the app but they exist and have signs, but alot of it is very steep, I cannot climb alot of stuff unless i'm all the way geared down to granny, but the downhill runs are pretty fun and fast, and surprisingly not unbearable on a hardtail.
just ordered myself a 28 lol. Already got the 22. Thanks for the video. I live in SW Pa so I'd need to have some freedom to climb. I'd rather run outta gear on the flats than on the hills.
That’s what I must surmise, because 28/22 is BARELY short enough in certain parts of my climb, and I swear I’m not super weak. 😂 If you get a chance, the North Shore here in Vancouver is quite a place to ride!
I've never tried to single speed because it doesn't really look fun or appealing to mash 1 gear for all terrains, it's like trying to fit a square peg into round hole....not fun.
I hear you, but haven’t you ever experienced people thinking mountain biking isn’t fun but have never tried it? I honestly didn’t think I’d like single speeding, but did it anyways as an experiment. I’m not saying you’ll definitely like it, but I feel like it’s worth a shot before judging. Anyways, I feel like the fact that you’re out there riding your bike in the trails is already winning! 🙌
@ hi I’m always kind of harsh on my comments, I definitely won’t say I wouldn’t try it but I’m almost 55, my knees are perfectly fine and my bike handling skills are good. Maybe it’s about feeling free from shifting and just focusing on the trail that would be fun.
Single speed only, for the last couple of years! Should have done it sooner 😅 Who needs ⚙️?😅 I have 1 hardtail ss,and one fixed/ss/tracklocross bike!(1 bike,not 3) It's 3 in 1. Greetings from Kris from Croatia 😎
Man fuuuuuck urban commuting in that gear. I understand it if all your mtb climbs are that intense but big nope for around town. I'm on 18/32 which works pretty good enough for most of my climbs (still got a couple on my local goal list) but it's tolerable on the flats. I started in 30/19 and that felt goofy af to me any time I wasn't on an incline.
The beauty of single speed riding is that you may not always be in the right gear, but you're never in the wrong gear.
Haha it's so true! I'm one with the gear, whether it's the right one or not. 😂
That "chain tensioner" setup looks super clean, love it. I have a Kona Unit singlespeed showing up this week. Full rigid, but a little less gnar around Calgary than where you are. Thanks for this series, been fun to watch!
Thanks! I feel like I learned a lot about this lesser-known corner of mountain bikes, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to experience it. I hope more people give single speeding a try!
I'm glad you are having fun even when it sucks. After a SS ride I only remember the good parts and the suck just fades away. To be honest I even enjoy the suck. Makes me stronger physically and mentally. I have a low geared SS MTB and a higher geared rigid SS bike for around town use. Sure it's an extra bike, but having something you can lock up and walk away from without worrying is nice and the money you save in $$ drivetrains pays for that town bike pretty fast.
So true! I can see why people have multiple bikes 😅
I have had a few single speed mt bikes and they are brutally humbling. Currently have one in the fleet. It is an old schwinn Moab my friend was about to take to the dump, I saved it, ripped it down to nothing and built it back up with bin parts as a singlespeed. Its 22lbs currently. Put wider bars shorter stem on it, meatier tires, 24t TI granny ring up front and a 12t ghetto single speed setup from an old cassette in the back. tensioned with a short cage road derailleur ran with the tensioner arm pretty much maxed out forward. It works surprisingly well, never skips, has way less parasitic drag (perfect chainline, minimum chain path, etc) I do wish the hub had faster engagement, that is definitely a weak point for it, the hubs kinda suck. The old manitou fork on it works pretty well too surprisingly. My previous ss was a rigid 26er and that is really where it's at. Anyway I have way less than 40 bucks into this thing and its 22 lbs. cant argue with that!
Sounds like a pretty fun ride!
Just brilliant - really, really interesting!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Totally agree with you on all points here! I have a similarly aggressive singlesped setup (Pipedream Moxie) and the only time I regret it is when the trails are flat (or worse: slightly down hill). In those situations I have no choice but to chill and enjoy the scenery lol.
Well said! I feel like that’s part of the single speed life - knowing when to pedal and knowing when to chill. 😜
Next stage is full rigid, I converted my SS hardtail to rigid a couple of years ago and have no plans to go back.
Stayed tuned for that experiment 🤫
@@HardtailLife, rigid helped me make better line choices, but nothing beats having a suspension fork when things get chunky and fast.
Hoping that you share ride data through the experiment to see if you notice any improvement.
Also… be sure to taunt those full squish e-bike riders.
People have a right to ride e mtbs. Making fun of people for riding emtbs just makes you look bad.@@russelrivera5044
@@russelrivera5044people have every right to ride emtbs. Quit making fun of people just f9r riding emtbs.
Thanks, now im thinking about single speeding my enduro bike and start practicing climbing with much climbing friendly gear ratio
Go for it!
Chasing creaks has been my experience with single-speed bikes (rigid too). And chains breaking before they wear out. But in the rides between creaks it's so quiet you hear the forest.
I’m still waiting for that experience. I discovered that my pedals are probably the loudest squeakers right now 😅
Welcome to the SS club! I love my SS!
Thanks! A little late, but I’m here now! 😜
I think you guys would like to know about schwalbe's new radial tyres?
Haven't heard of it, but I'll be doing some research now - thanks for the tip!
Nice one Steve, keep hammering!
Will do - hammering’s the only option 🫡
Interested to see going full rigid :)
Maybe… 🤫😜
Rigid single speed is MTB nirvana.
Time for a second bike so you have gears again too. I find where I am the trail climbs are often so steep that the only option is the absolute lightest gear and remaining saddled for keeping the rear tire grippy, so super long seatpost 210 dropper. Come ride some Island trails at some point, Mt. Benson in Gnarnaimo is steep but fun, especially the red zone on trailforks behind Westwood lake, the trails arent on the app but they exist and have signs, but alot of it is very steep, I cannot climb alot of stuff unless i'm all the way geared down to granny, but the downhill runs are pretty fun and fast, and surprisingly not unbearable on a hardtail.
We're definitely curious about riding in Nanaimo and that entire area!
just ordered myself a 28 lol. Already got the 22. Thanks for the video. I live in SW Pa so I'd need to have some freedom to climb. I'd rather run outta gear on the flats than on the hills.
Nice! Yeah, that’s basically how I have it, and just remember to chill on the flats 😊
Loved it!
Thanks! I think single-speeding is underrated 😊
MRP chain guide tensioner is genius
Agreed. After 5 months, it’s still going well.
Spot on
But I don't think most will understand, until they actually try it. All my mtb are SS. The attention is also nice stroke on the ego lol
I wish I could convince everyone to try single speeding, even just once! 😜
no quarter twice? beastly!
Dead. I was dead for days afterwards. 😂
28x22 is some really low gearing! I’m in Arkansas so I have to guess that your terrain is vastly different.
That’s what I must surmise, because 28/22 is BARELY short enough in certain parts of my climb, and I swear I’m not super weak. 😂 If you get a chance, the North Shore here in Vancouver is quite a place to ride!
Love my single Speed, I have had 3 different SS Bikes
But how can you ride them all? I only have 1 bike and I can’t find enough time to ride it 😜
I've never tried to single speed because it doesn't really look fun or appealing to mash 1 gear for all terrains, it's like trying to fit a square peg into round hole....not fun.
I hear you, but haven’t you ever experienced people thinking mountain biking isn’t fun but have never tried it? I honestly didn’t think I’d like single speeding, but did it anyways as an experiment. I’m not saying you’ll definitely like it, but I feel like it’s worth a shot before judging. Anyways, I feel like the fact that you’re out there riding your bike in the trails is already winning! 🙌
@ hi I’m always kind of harsh on my comments, I definitely won’t say I wouldn’t try it but I’m almost 55, my knees are perfectly fine and my bike handling skills are good. Maybe it’s about feeling free from shifting and just focusing on the trail that would be fun.
Single speed only, for the last couple of years! Should have done it sooner 😅
Who needs ⚙️?😅
I have 1 hardtail ss,and one fixed/ss/tracklocross bike!(1 bike,not 3) It's 3 in 1.
Greetings from Kris from Croatia 😎
Hi Kris from Croatia! Single speeding is so much fun! 🙌
@@HardtailLife
Simple and effective 😅😁
Greetings from Kris 😎
Frame with sliding drops is the only way to go. Then make it Ti. Then go full rigid.
I am planning a full rigid build at the moment
Yes, that’s all great, but I already have a frame and it’s neat to be able to make it work! 😁
Usually, people who go the SS route don't return to the geared life. Been riding SS since 2011 and never looked back. Be it on 2 wheels or 1.
Interesting, I wonder why? 🤔
@@HardtailLife
Sometimes, I wonder too. But the simplicity of a rigid SS is much more appealing to me than a fully loaded rig.
Get a second SS for the city :)
Haha n+1
Now u just need to make a cheapo SS townie bike.
I am now at
sS mtb
Ss city bike
sS winter/snow bike
SS cx bike
And a bmx so….
Only problem is where to store them all 🤔
Man fuuuuuck urban commuting in that gear. I understand it if all your mtb climbs are that intense but big nope for around town. I'm on 18/32 which works pretty good enough for most of my climbs (still got a couple on my local goal list) but it's tolerable on the flats. I started in 30/19 and that felt goofy af to me any time I wasn't on an incline.
Haha totally. But this is my only bike, so what should I do? 🤷♂️
ss for about 30 years,get out ,have fun in the mud.Put away muddy and wet.
Heck yeah!