SINGLE SPEEDING: THE N+1 WITH A REAL PLUS!
Adding the latest $12,000 carbon dually to your bicycle quiver is likely to add plenty of enjoyment to your time on the trail. However, building up a single speed mountain bike – often done effectively using a cheap hardtail frame and old components – can bring the same levels of joy and possibly more, for much less outlay.
It’s easy to get the impression that single speeding is all about beards, tattoos, craft beer, comedy cross-dressing and being ‘alternative’ en masse. However, simplifying your drivechain is an option for anyone who wants to have a bit of fun and it can also provide a new perspective on your local trails.
There are numerous reasons why riders have found that removing gears from their riding can be a plus. Read on to see if there’s a simpler way to hit the trails in your future.
Enjoy the Silence
A lack of drivechain noise, ‘chainslap’ in particular, has often been mentioned as one of reasons for losing your gears. While the mountain bike drivechain has evolved considerably since the sport began and has now reached a zenith of range, reliability and silent operation, this hasn’t always been the case.
Frequent adjustment, noise, mud-jammed cables and maintenance
