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Switching to a single speed drivetrain offers a range of benefits that can transform your riding experience. Whether you're looking to shed some weight, reduce maintenance, or bring excitement back to your local trails, a single speed setup could be the perfect solution. Here are the top reasons why you should gear down to just one.
1. Improves Skills
Riding a single speed bike challenges you to develop key riding skills. Without the option to shift into easier gears when the trail gets tough, you'll need to adopt a new mindset. To conquer climbs and maintain momentum, you'll naturally enhance three essential skills:
• Planning Ahead: Instead of reacting to changes in terrain by shifting gears, you'll have to anticipate climbs and obstacles, gathering speed in advance to keep moving.
• Pumping: Learning to use the trail to maintain momentum is crucial. Once you've worked to build speed, you’ll need to master the art of keeping it.
• Determination: On a single speed, you have two choices when faced with a challenge—push through or walk. Which one will you choose?
2. Excellent Workout
If you’re biking to combine fitness with fun, a single speed setup takes it to the next level. It’s a more demanding ride, requiring more effort to power through various terrains. The increased intensity provides a more challenging and rewarding workout. Once you've mastered your current gear ratio, you can always up the challenge by switching to a tougher setup, like changing from an 18t cog to a 16t.
3. Less Maintenance
A multi-gear bike comes with ongoing maintenance requirements. Whether it’s fine-tuning the derailleur or cleaning the jockey wheels, the more gears you have, the more upkeep is required.
A single speed drivetrain, by contrast, is much simpler. Fewer components mean less to clean, less to fix, and fewer things that can go wrong when you're out on the trail. You might opt for a tensioner, but either way, there's less hassle overall, giving you more time to focus on riding.
4. More Focused
When riding a geared bike, you're constantly thinking about when to shift, especially as the terrain changes. Misjudging a shift can lead to that all-too-familiar sound of gear grinding.
On a single speed, you’ll experience the trail in a more focused way. With no shifters to manage, your attention can be fully on the ride. Your right hand will be free from shifting duties, leaving you to concentrate on holding tight as you navigate steep drops or tricky turns.
5. Quieter
More drivetrain parts mean more noise, whether it’s the crunch from a poorly timed shift or the constant clicking of a derailleur in need of indexing.
With a single speed, the bike is much quieter, allowing you to hear the natural sounds of the trail—birds, wind, or the rustling of wildlife. While the hum of your free hub may still break the silence, the overall ride will be far less noisy, enhancing the immersive experience.
6. New Life to Old Trails
If your favorite trails have lost their excitement, switching to a single speed can give them new life. With a single gear, your cadence changes, and you’ll need to find new ways to maintain speed and momentum.
This fresh perspective on familiar trails forces you to engage differently with the terrain, finding new opportunities to push yourself and enjoy the ride in a whole new way.
7. Less Expensive
Bike parts can be costly, and the drivetrain—being a consumable component—requires eventual replacement. However, riding single speed can save you a significant amount of money.
For example, consider this price comparison:
Multi-geared Setup:
• SRAM 11-50t 12 speed cassette: $90
• SRAM 12 speed NX derailleur: $90
• SRAM NX 12 speed shifter: $35
• Jagwire shift kit: $25
Total: $240
Single Speed Setup:
• 16t Shimano cog: $10
• Shimano tensioner: $24
• Wolf Tooth spacing kit: $30
Total: $64
By riding single speed, you can save over $170 on your drivetrain alone, making it a more budget-friendly option.
8. Lighter
A single speed drivetrain typically weighs less than its multi-geared counterpart. With fewer components, the bike’s overall weight decreases, making it easier to handle and transport.
If you're concerned about bike weight and want a leaner setup, converting to single speed is an effective way to lighten your load while enjoying all the other benefits of simplicity.
Switching to a single speed drivetrain offers a wealth of advantages, from improving your riding skills and fitness to reducing costs and maintenance. Whether you're looking to simplify your setup or breathe new life into your trails, a single speed bike might just be the perfect fit for your next ride.
If you liked this article, take a look at why your next bike should be a fat bike!
