SS Confusion

[s1ng1etrack]

Well, I don't understand this ss thing at all.

So I thought I would build one in order to become enlightened.

But now I have a dilemma. Do I build a ss fixed gear or ss freewheel?

I will use brakes either way and I am replacing the wheel set, so what are the pros and cons?

[2dumb4gears]

Are you riding on the dirt or the road?!?!

On the road, I'm a big fixie fan; no need for a rear brake, easy to navigate slow moving and stopped traffic due to the extra feedback at the pedal, clean looking bike without the clutter, and you can track-stand at signals (no need to un-clip).

I've got a buddy who mountain bikes fixed as well, and have tried it myself for a spell. The learning curve is super, super painful (especially in WA state with the massive roots and logs). Wouldn't advise.

[hairygrump]

flip.

flop.

hub.

[althegud1srtakn]

not everyone diggs the fixie thing, especially not on the trails. personally i think it's fun every once in a while but not practical enough to own one.

flip-flop sounds like a good plan to test it out, provided you're not going disk

[tryandgetme]

they have a fixed cog that bolts to the rotor side of a disc hub. not exactly flip flip I guess.

[cMc]

they have a fixed cog that bolts to the rotor side of a disc hub. not exactly flip flip I guess.

I really want to get one of those to try on my SoMa. I think Boone makes a titanium one; anyone know if anyone makes a cheeper one? I am a cheep bastid. :D

[tryandgetme]

crack open a cassette and go find a drill press. Bring your rotor as a bolt pattern template.

[cMc]

crack open a cassette and go find a drill press. Bring your rotor as a bolt pattern template.

I ain't that cheep. :D And I don't have access to a drill press anymore...

[PutAwayWet]

Well, my .02 is to start free. Get used to the whole 'I no longer have to shift!' feeling. Then decide if you want to go the extra step of 'freewheeling is for sally-asses!'. I'm still a sally-ass, myself. I think what you're getting at with your question is, 'I want to see what everyone thinks is so great about singlespeeding'... The best way to do that is by having one gear that you can ride like a normal bike. If you really think you might dig it and want to go all the way to fixie, get a flip/flop hub and some rim brakes.

[Knuckledragger]

One of the rewards for a steep ascent on a ss is some fast frewheelin' on the descent. With a fixie, you end up braking and applying a lot of back pressure on the cranks at a "much" slower pace on the descents.

[s1ng1etrack]

The boys at the LBS had the same advice.

BTW - The bike is a steel frame road bike with beefed up rims and fatter tires like a cyclocross.

My application is commuter. My route to work is road, path and trail. To much road for the mt. bike and to much path and trail for the road bike.

Thanks for all the input! Parts should be in soon so I'll probably have my first ss experience next week!

[Hand/of/Midas]

speaking of those boone fixed cogs.....
somebody should make a hub with 6-bolt BOTH sides. boone cog and disk. now thats nitch product,but cool.

[davkatreb]

speaking of those boone fixed cogs.....
somebody should make a hub with 6-bolt BOTH sides. boone cog and disk. now thats nitch product,but cool.
Now why on Earth would you want to do a thing like that? There is absolutely no need for a rear brake on a fixed gear if you know how to ride. The rear brake function of regulating one's speed when riding freewheel becomes intuitive on a fixed by simply pedaling slower or faster, perhaps resisting a bit with the legs, or skipping the rear wheel. And anyway, something like 80% of the stopping force is from the front brake. A front brake on a fix is mandatory in the woods, and is not an entirely bad idea on pavement.

Although a hub as you describe it WOULD allow the use of a different-sized fixed cog on the flop side. Hmmmm...

[plume_mtb]

that's dorky.

[WunSpeedWunder]

Did this to the cruiser last summer,using a disc hub and a "whoops on-line order"!! Funn screw on cog,just used two 4" angle grinder discs and my lathe to remove the flange-the heat generated assisted with the drilling of mounting holes ,and a Sharp drill bit!! only took about an hour and a half of bike path cruising to get used to the concept tho doubt I've got enuff balls to go off road with it,but the-Although a hub as you describe it WOULD allow the use of a different-sized fixed cog on the flop side. Hmmmm...-concept would be an interesting one to try?????

[PutAwayWet]

Level Components (http://levelcomponents.com/tech.html)

Great guys, great stuff. Get your fix there.