Single speed kit durability?
03-11-20, 03:51 PM
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Single speed kit durability?
Hi, I have an Surly Krampus with sram nx 11-speed drivetrain that are worn out. I also have a single speed kit with steel cog and aluminum spacers, that I was thinking to put on my bike. My plan this summer is to do a longer bikepacking trip and I wonder how durable it is to use a kit like this? Will it mess up the body on the hub? Is it better to build a real single speed rear wheel?
/David
/David
03-11-20, 04:23 PM
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What's actually worn out? It would surprise me if the bike can't be restored to full glory by replacing the chain and cluster. I think that unless you're passionate about single speed riding as an end unto itself, taking a long trip "always in the wrong gear" will be a painful experience.
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03-12-20, 12:25 AM
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It is the whole drivetrain thats worn so its time to replace cassette etc. And that’s ok, got many miles out of it. But since I already have the kit I was wondering why not try that.
Maybe I will regret it while out on tour, I don’t know but I want to try it. Just wonder if the kit idea is good and durable or just crap. Like, will it destroy the hub body or something.
Maybe I will regret it while out on tour, I don’t know but I want to try it. Just wonder if the kit idea is good and durable or just crap. Like, will it destroy the hub body or something.
03-12-20, 10:56 AM
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Cycle equipment is old tech dressed up by the marketing people as more sophisticated than it really is. In my youth, I rode long distances (regular 100 mile days), carried camping gear, rode "road bikes" on and off road, and commuted, all with minimal maintenance, and the bikes just kept going.
OK, if you buy fancy lightweight stuff, it may wear more quickly, but the whole point of single speed is simplicity and that there's less to go wrong. You won't put your derailleur through the rear spokes; you won't have a broken gear cable; your indexing won't need adjusting; you won't be using one of those really narrow chains that may be marginally more likely to break.
Commuting 10 miles each way 5 days a week for a month is around 400 miles, but doesn't feel like much. 400 miles in a 4 day trip (for example) is exactly the same amount of riding as far as the bike is concerned. It just feels like more to the rider because it is done in a few big sessions.
Apart from that, are you going on a trip where there will be no bike shops?
Check everything is in good condition before you go. Pack a puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers, multitool including a chain splitter, a few spare links of chain, a small can of oil, and maybe a spare long cable inner, and stop worrying. What's more important is to take things you need to keep the rider going: calories, water, money, phone.
Have fun. Cycling is surprisingly simple. Don't believe the industry and the internet that tells you it's complicated.
OK, if you buy fancy lightweight stuff, it may wear more quickly, but the whole point of single speed is simplicity and that there's less to go wrong. You won't put your derailleur through the rear spokes; you won't have a broken gear cable; your indexing won't need adjusting; you won't be using one of those really narrow chains that may be marginally more likely to break.
Commuting 10 miles each way 5 days a week for a month is around 400 miles, but doesn't feel like much. 400 miles in a 4 day trip (for example) is exactly the same amount of riding as far as the bike is concerned. It just feels like more to the rider because it is done in a few big sessions.
Apart from that, are you going on a trip where there will be no bike shops?
Check everything is in good condition before you go. Pack a puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers, multitool including a chain splitter, a few spare links of chain, a small can of oil, and maybe a spare long cable inner, and stop worrying. What's more important is to take things you need to keep the rider going: calories, water, money, phone.
Have fun. Cycling is surprisingly simple. Don't believe the industry and the internet that tells you it's complicated.
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03-12-20, 11:34 AM
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Cycle equipment is old tech dressed up by the marketing people as more sophisticated than it really is. In my youth, I rode long distances (regular 100 mile days), carried camping gear, rode "road bikes" on and off road, and commuted, all with minimal maintenance, and the bikes just kept going.
OK, if you buy fancy lightweight stuff, it may wear more quickly, but the whole point of single speed is simplicity and that there's less to go wrong. You won't put your derailleur through the rear spokes; you won't have a broken gear cable; your indexing won't need adjusting; you won't be using one of those really narrow chains that may be marginally more likely to break.
Commuting 10 miles each way 5 days a week for a month is around 400 miles, but doesn't feel like much. 400 miles in a 4 day trip (for example) is exactly the same amount of riding as far as the bike is concerned. It just feels like more to the rider because it is done in a few big sessions.
Apart from that, are you going on a trip where there will be no bike shops?
Check everything is in good condition before you go. Pack a puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers, multitool including a chain splitter, a few spare links of chain, a small can of oil, and maybe a spare long cable inner, and stop worrying. What's more important is to take things you need to keep the rider going: calories, water, money, phone.
Have fun. Cycling is surprisingly simple. Don't believe the industry and the internet that tells you it's complicated.
OK, if you buy fancy lightweight stuff, it may wear more quickly, but the whole point of single speed is simplicity and that there's less to go wrong. You won't put your derailleur through the rear spokes; you won't have a broken gear cable; your indexing won't need adjusting; you won't be using one of those really narrow chains that may be marginally more likely to break.
Commuting 10 miles each way 5 days a week for a month is around 400 miles, but doesn't feel like much. 400 miles in a 4 day trip (for example) is exactly the same amount of riding as far as the bike is concerned. It just feels like more to the rider because it is done in a few big sessions.
Apart from that, are you going on a trip where there will be no bike shops?
Check everything is in good condition before you go. Pack a puncture repair kit, pump, tyre levers, multitool including a chain splitter, a few spare links of chain, a small can of oil, and maybe a spare long cable inner, and stop worrying. What's more important is to take things you need to keep the rider going: calories, water, money, phone.
Have fun. Cycling is surprisingly simple. Don't believe the industry and the internet that tells you it's complicated.
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03-12-20, 11:49 AM
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When I was a kid I had an "off-brand" single speed cruiser, rode it all day every day and I don't remember ever lubing my chain. I had one blown-out tube because I filled the tire at a gas station and didn't have a gauge. Wow, was that loud. Left the bike outside, etc. and never had any issues with it. Not recommending doing that today, just saying.
03-12-20, 02:43 PM
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I could be wrong, but I think the real single speed hubs threaded for a freewheel/cog are all 110-120mm. So if that's the case you would have no choice but to run what you have. The good part is you have a massive wheel selection. Bikepacking on a single speed would be cool. If you have to get off and walk some, who cares.
03-12-20, 04:15 PM
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Ok, I think I will give it a go with the kit. It will be a new experience and probably much fun I guess. And I don’t mind some walking with the bike every now and then.
Thanks for the answers!
/David
Thanks for the answers!
/David
03-12-20, 08:24 PM
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Commuting 10 miles each way 5 days a week for a month is around 400 miles, but doesn't feel like much. 400 miles in a 4 day trip (for example) is exactly the same amount of riding as far as the bike is concerned. It just feels like more to the rider because it is done in a few big sessions.
On the other hand, when I get roughly 10 to 20 miles out of town, in almost any direction, the terrain turns into endless rollers, and the wind picks up across the farm fields. That's when I'm glad to have a few gears. But naturally, this is as much a factor of my own physical condition as it one of terrain, so each rider has to decide for themselves.
