Virgin SS RR - short and sweet!

Zilla said:

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard, and the granny
ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one ocassion, the (7-spd
chain) came of the middle ring and went on the granny
gear. Otherwise it would just have been on the frame.

Way to get after it!

There's really no prob leaving the triple on there...except
for looks.

G

Zilla said:

Ok on an earlier post I mentioned I built this. I ended up
with a 34t(f) and 18t(r) combo.

home.bellsouth.netpwp foutscOpen ↗

I went to my favorite "beginner" trails since it was after
all my first time on an SS, and the first ride for the SS
above. (Actually it's my first ride on a hardtail too,
with bar ends at that.)

I was able to do one loop on the whole trail system
in around 45 mins, which normally takes me 30-35
mins. on my FS.

Uh, oh. In no time you'll be doing it in 25 Minutes and
then it will be too late. You'll be hooked. Don't say I
didn't warn you.

Matt

Zilla said:

... I missed one climb since I was "thinking" rather than
just reacting the first time. The next time I came across
it was no problem. ...

Yes, you sometimes have to be mentally ready for them
rather than reaching for the shifter. This gets more
natural quickly.

Quoted message said:

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard, and the granny
ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one ocassion, the (7-spd
chain) came of the middle ring and went on the granny
gear. Otherwise it would just have been on the frame.

Leaving it on is fine - the extra weight isn't that much
unless the big ring is steel. Personally I like the
minimalist aspect of a singlespeed with as few extras as
necessary. If you use non-Hyperglide chainring and cog, the
chain will stay on a little better. (Expensive boutique
items aren't necessary - inexpensive rings
w/o ramps and cut teeth also work.) If it's a recurring
problem a chain watcher like the 'N Gear Jump Stop
will help.

If you aren't careful I'll put up a picture of the Homeliest
Singlespeed Ever ...

Zilla said:

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard, and the granny
ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one ocassion, the (7-spd
chain) came of the middle ring and went on the granny
gear. Otherwise it would just have been on the frame.

Once you set it up properly and ditch that derailleur, you
wont have any problems with the chain coming off. I'm
running one of these on my bike:
rennendesigngroup.comrollen info.htmlOpen ↗ If you
don't really need the beefyness of that, and don't mind some
very minor chainslap, you can get a singleator type
tensioner for about $20. cgi.ebay.comeBayISAPI.dOpen ↗
ll?ViewItem&category=42329&item=3684934468

--
6/27/2004
7:11 PM [GMT-8]

Zilla said:

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard,

But normally, the ring is covered with a chain anyway, so
you even if you do clank it, you're not going to kill teeth.

Quoted message said:

the granny ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one
ocassion, the (7-spd chain) came of the middle ring and
went on the granny gear. Otherwise it would just have
been on the frame.

Because, unlike your bike, SS bikes tend to not have any
chain slack. The chances of the chain bouncing off to the
inside are minimal, to say the least. And besides, you still
have to get off and put the chain back on anyway, so what
difference does it make?

bomba said:

Zilla said:

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard,

But normally, the ring is covered with a chain anyway,
so you even if you do clank it, you're not going to
kill teeth.

Yes this makes sense. But doesn't this kill the chain?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the granny ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one
ocassion, the (7-spd chain) came of the middle ring and
went on the granny gear. Otherwise it would just have
been on the frame.

Because, unlike your bike, SS bikes tend to not have any
chain slack. The chances of the chain bouncing off to the
inside are minimal, to say the least. And besides, you
still have to get off and put the chain back on anyway, so
what difference does it make?

Ok..

--
- Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM)

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Ok on an earlier post I mentioned I built this. I ended up
with a 34t(f) and 18t(r) combo.

home.bellsouth.netpwp foutscOpen ↗

I went to my favorite "beginner" trails since it was after
all my first time on an SS, and the first ride for the SS
above. (Actually it's my first ride on a hardtail too,
with bar ends at that.)

Good place to cut your teeth.

Quoted message said:

I was able to do one loop on the whole trail system in
around 45 mins, which normally takes me 30-35 mins. on my
FS. I was in a way test riding the bike and myself so I
purposely went slow. I had to be off the seat a lot more,
WAY more, say 90%, on this bike. I had learn to absorb the
bumps with my arms and legs. On descents that I normally
bomb on, I was hitting the brakes. On climbs that I
normally just sit on, I had to stand up, and push AND pull
(advantage of clipless pedals). I liked having the bar
ends for this reason. I missed one climb since I was
"thinking" rather than just reacting the first time. The
next time I came across it was no problem. I was
(surprisingly) able to clear a couple of logs, and log
triangles too. The 34t/18t combo seems to work well with
me too since I'm able to spin on flats and descents and
climb on hills (albeit small hills on this trail system).

No kidding. Sure engages far more of the rider, and lots
more standing, reefing with your arms, screaming, spitting
and hollering to get up hills on a SS.

Quoted message said:

I only took a short ride since I didn't want to push the
bike and myself too much. More so, I have now have to it
for the next ride. I may have to move the rear cog on
spacer in for better chain alignment for example. Also, I
have to cable-tie my front brake housing further down on
the fork since it was rubbing the knobbies on my tire and
it was driving me crazy. I'm NOT more tired than any other
ride though; my legs and knees are fine.

So far I like the bike. I feel like it keeps me honest
with my abilities.

Interesting comment. SS sure tests your skill and ability to
work the trail, to squeeze every ounce out of yourself and
the terrain.

I was surprised that I was able to

Quoted message said:

do some moves on it (clear logs) but was NOT surprised
that I wasn't able to clear one of the climbs.

BTW, why NOT have a triple front (except for weight of
course)? The big ring acts as a bash guard, and the granny
ring acts as a "fall to" ring. In one ocassion, the (7-spd
chain) came of the middle ring and went on the granny
gear. Otherwise it would just have been on the frame.

I have 2 on my SS. Big one is a ground down bash guard, and
middle once carries the chain. No little one. And gonna
scrap the bash guard in about a week. The "why not" answer
is the beauty and simplicity of "no shifting options", you
just ride and don't have to think about it.

paladin

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok on an earlier post I mentioned I built this. I ended up
with a 34t(f) and 18t(r) combo.

Wow, what a great idea! Have you thought about pulling the
engine out of your car, to simplify all the thought that
must go into turning it on, shifting, accelerating, and
other confusions that take away from the pure enjoyment of
driving a car ? ;-)

Dan V

Dan VO2lker says:

Quoted message said:

Wow, what a great idea! Have you thought about pulling the
engine out of your car, to simplify all the thought that
must go into turning it on, shifting, accelerating, and
other confusions that take away from the pure enjoyment of
driving a car ? ;-)

I knew optimism was the wrong choice... ;-P

Steve

Dan Volker said:

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok on an earlier post I mentioned I built this. I ended
up with a 34t(f) and 18t(r) combo.

Wow, what a great idea! Have you thought about pulling the
engine out of your car, to simplify all the thought that
must go into turning it on, shifting, accelerating, and
other confusions that take away from the pure enjoyment of
driving a car ? ;-)

Dan V

No but I learned to drive just on 2nd gear on an old car! I
guess that's single-speeding?

--
- Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM)

Dan Volker said:

"Zilla" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ok on an earlier post I mentioned I built this. I ended
up with a 34t(f) and 18t(r) combo.

Wow, what a great idea! Have you thought about pulling the
engine out of your car, to simplify all the thought that
must go into turning it on, shifting, accelerating, and
other confusions that take away from the pure enjoyment of
driving a car ? ;-)

Dan V

Hehehehe, Dan you are one committed masochist. I really
thought you'd had your fill of the single-speed wars. I
gotta respect your perseverance if nothing else.

Tom