Shifting less...

[Grassi21]

It's the best I could come up with...

Look how far over my handlebars I am. No wonder I bit the dust...

 

[mondeo]

This thread is more fun when you replace the fs with ts.

 

[RootDKJ]

Anyone that gets a flat that doesn't have the gear or know-how to fix it deserves to walk out.

+1

so you always ride with a backpack with tools??? That is one of the things that has kept me from M-Biking as I don't like wearing a backback and am not handy..

I ride with a Camelbak bag. When the temps are in the 90's you need a lot of water. But I keep tools and spare inner tubes in my saddle bag.

go on a ride with root or something. it is addictive. plus there are plenty of opportunities for safety meetings.

+1 My favorite spot. No hard climbs after this spot and some fun downhills and turns. Scenery is nice as well.

Gear would run over a grand I'm guessing..do you guys really wear special biking clothes or are cargo shorts and a polo shirt OK??? Sneakers OK?

Try to see if you can find a cheap hardtail on Craigslist or ask Hurtmyknee if he has one to sell. Post up a link and we'll let you know if we think it's a good deal. Regular shirt and shorts are ok. I wear a wicking t-shirt. I use trail running sneakers when I ride.

Back on topic for a sec...I've done rides, just using the front derailer, so three speeds. yeah it makes a difference but I was in better shape then. I still need my granny gear to make some of the climbs.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Look how far over my handlebars I am. No wonder I bit the dust...

ahahaha

 

[JD]

This sounds like propaganda from a single speeder.

I would mark that article as the beginning of the transition to less gears and eventually one, but the final straw was how expensive the MTB drivetrail is to maintain if you ride alot..like everyday. It got to the point that I was wondering why I was buying a new rear derailure every 2 months so I could shift 6 times over the course of a 4 hour ride.

The next progression from 2 rings is getting sick of going to pedal and finding your chain has dropped off of the middle ring and is now dangling freely because you threw a backpedal thru a fast, rough downhill, and when you go to pedal there is no resistance and you smash you nuts on the stem. It wasn't too many of those before I just lost the granny gear and went with a single 32t front ring with a bash guard on the the inside too. Then the chain can't fall off.

Really, 32:32 (or a gear ratio of 1:1) is pretty light. If Greg never goes beyond 1-3, then he's running like 22:28 maybe. Maybe even 22:26. 32:32 almost feels the same...then you'll be running the 1 by 9 like all the cool kids.....and you'll shift less and build powerfull leg muscles, good for bumping. Not skinny endurance muscles like skate skiiers have.

 

[Grassi21]

It got to the point that I was wondering why I was buying a new rear derailure every 2 months so I could shift 6 times over the course of a 4 hour ride.

After replacing my 1st derailure I was convinced. I have an old bike that I turned into a SS. Once I get my conditioning up to an acceptable point I would consider turning my Cannondale F5 into an SS. If I ever go FS I would buy a frame and build it up as a SS.

 

[Marc]

Padded MTB shorts are almost a must. Not gay ass spandex bike shorts, but the regular looking ones with some padding.

Form < Function, my friend. Tough, rip resistant baggies with liner is good for MTB, not so much for long miles on the road.

Of course, I've got a pretty nice ass, so I also don't mind people seeing me in the lycra.


/bet that was more than anyone wanted to know

 

[Grassi21]

/bet that was more than anyone wanted to know

ding ding ding ding

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

spandex shorts make the biker..

 

[bvibert]

I would mark that article as the beginning of the transition to less gears and eventually one, but the final straw was how expensive the MTB drivetrail is to maintain if you ride alot..like everyday. It got to the point that I was wondering why I was buying a new rear derailure every 2 months so I could shift 6 times over the course of a 4 hour ride.

The next progression from 2 rings is getting sick of going to pedal and finding your chain has dropped off of the middle ring and is now dangling freely because you threw a backpedal thru a fast, rough downhill, and when you go to pedal there is no resistance and you smash you nuts on the stem. It wasn't too many of those before I just lost the granny gear and went with a single 32t front ring with a bash guard on the the inside too. Then the chain can't fall off.

Really, 32:32 (or a gear ratio of 1:1) is pretty light. If Greg never goes beyond 1-3, then he's running like 22:28 maybe. Maybe even 22:26. 32:32 almost feels the same...then you'll be running the 1 by 9 like all the cool kids.....and you'll shift less and build powerfull leg muscles, good for bumping. Not skinny endurance muscles like skate skiiers have.

Some valid points. I guess I've been lucky, relatively. I've had some chain suck issues, but aside from that my drive train has been pretty trouble free. Of course I don't ride everyday and I've only been riding for a few years. I've never dropped a chain off the rings from back-pedaling, but I have had it shift down to smaller cogs on the cassette, which can be annoying.

 

[Greg]

I tried to take note of it on Friday while riding a new area and found I was shifting all over the place. Easier to shift less when you know the trails.

 

[bvibert]

I tried making note of my shifting the last few rides... I came to the conclusion that I shift just as much as I want to, no more, no less. Are there some times that I shift when it's not completely necessary, probably. The gears are there to use, so why not use them when you feel it's needed?

I don't think I'll ever be cut out to be a SSer.

 

[Grassi21]

I tried making note of my shifting the last few rides... I came to the conclusion that I shift just as much as I want to, no more, no less. Are there some times that I shift when it's not completely necessary, probably. The gears are there to use, so why not use them when you feel it's needed?

I don't think I'll ever be cut out to be a SSer.

I rode the ss and my cannondale this weekend. ss is a great work out especially if there are a few climbs thrown in here and there. but the geared bike is nice when you want to really fly. ss feels like a fun change of pace.