Genesis single speed, first ride thoughts
Darra8
Posts: 721
Well, what can I say, other than, its f*!@ing hard work!
I took it on my local woodland route to see if I could clear it without getting off. I managed most of it, but had to get off and push up the last steep hill
I must say though, I was well knackered after.
I have another rigid bike, but it has an alloy frame and fork. The Genesis feels great, I have never ridden a good quality steel framed bike before, so was very surprised at how smooth it felt. It really does soak up the more bumpy bits of the trail, and feels like it has much more flex than the alloy bike.
I struggled on the ups for 2 reasons. One, because I only have one gear, and two, I was finding it hard to stop the back wheel from losing traction. This was mainly because I had to peddle standing up and had less weight over the back wheel. I usually climb sitting down, so will have to practice. If I can stick with it, I will end up as fit as a butchers dog
I have a question, If I had a shorter stem, would this put my weight further back over the saddle. I currently have a 90mm one?
Cheers,
Steve
I took it on my local woodland route to see if I could clear it without getting off. I managed most of it, but had to get off and push up the last steep hill
I must say though, I was well knackered after.I have another rigid bike, but it has an alloy frame and fork. The Genesis feels great, I have never ridden a good quality steel framed bike before, so was very surprised at how smooth it felt. It really does soak up the more bumpy bits of the trail, and feels like it has much more flex than the alloy bike.
I struggled on the ups for 2 reasons. One, because I only have one gear, and two, I was finding it hard to stop the back wheel from losing traction. This was mainly because I had to peddle standing up and had less weight over the back wheel. I usually climb sitting down, so will have to practice. If I can stick with it, I will end up as fit as a butchers dog
I have a question, If I had a shorter stem, would this put my weight further back over the saddle. I currently have a 90mm one?
Cheers,
Steve
40 year old censored who "still" hates the thought of falling off!!
0
Posts
I'll assume it has 32/16 gearing? You could try an 18 on the back as that will make it easier, really it depends on your local terrain as to whether that's worth doing though. You could always swap it out until you get used to the bike/single speed then change back to the 16t.
I have a single speed mtb setup for road commutes (44/16) & have found SPDs make riding it up steep stuff a bit easier, well maybe not easier as it still nackers me but I can just stand up & pull up on the pedals where I would normally think about quitting.
Cheers...
More to the fact that the bike ain't built for true offroad terrain It's not rocket science to spot ...
Why, because it doesn't have suspension?
Sweeeet ride, I do like it.
I'd ride that on a trial any day, rigid front end and all.
The Shaker
Errr that's exactly what it's for. Just because a bike has no suspension doesn't mean it isn't designed for offroad. Now, if you said it wasn't designed for something like downhill then you'd have a point!!
Suspension hasn't got anything to do with my reply at all ...
Explain then....
Your above reply clearly shows your lack of experience and knowledge
He has bought a basic bike which brought home the reality of what it was like riding a bike really is like without the luxury of the add ons that many take for granted !!!
This is the problem with the New generation they have never experienced or lived the era that we lived ..
And i've only ever had 2 bikes . a bmx bought in 1980 and the other MTB ,, carrera absolute bought much later in life
How does that explain that he's bike Is not built for off road, and how do you know what era he lived In.
Just becuase it's not got 30 gears and a foot of suspension doesn't make the guy a 60 year old cyclo-touring member, and it certainly doesn't make the bike unsuitable for off-road...
Just look at Danny McGaskill's bike, it has no suspension or gears, but I'm pretty sure he's still dropping 20ft to flat... :shock:
Plus, SS rigid bikes are handy in the winter, as you literally have only the chain, freehub, wheel and headset bearings to look after. No sweat! Much easier than the bloody gears, suspension, suspension bushes and bearings (etc etc...) to look after in other bikes! SS rigids love mud!
Sick to the power of rad
Fix it 'till it's broke
You need to get out more.
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
Do you think he's stuck in the 80's..?
Sick to the power of rad
Fix it 'till it's broke
It certainly isn't built for anything else!
15 years ago suspension forks were a luxury that I could not afford! Hence my bike was rigid, albeit a gearded one, and that took me up mountains no probs 8)
I've thougt about making my SS rigid but its hard enough work riding it as is :oops:
14 Kona Unit
Kona Kula SS
Trailstar SS
94 Univega Alpina 5.3
But It was all a bloody good laugh.
Planet X XLS
I have read this post half a dozen times and I still dont know what this guy is on about.
Please enlighten us with your vast experience of MTBikes why Darra8s bike isnt designed for true off road terrain.
I have one of these, admittedly with front suss, but I'd kick his censored around the trails on whatever he calls a real mountain bike... :twisted:
What? How old do you think I am 12 :?:
I didn't buy it with the sole intention of it being my only mountain bike, and now realising that I have made a big mistake. I already have 2 other bikes, one a full suss. I just wanted something a little different, and I knew it was going to be hard work....do you get that :?:
He musta missed your signiture...
And been in a MEGA condescending mood, lol!
Sick to the power of rad
Fix it 'till it's broke
As it happens I am one of the "new generation". However that does not mean I lack experience or knowledge. I'm not a Supersonic or Nicklouse by any stretch of the imagination but I know more than the average joe. And if I take all the new technological "luxuries" for granted, why do I have a rigid SS in my stable??
To me it looks like my old school kona SS
used to find it difficult to find traction on my ss but moving your weight further back when going up loose stuff really does help. took me a while to find confidance in doing it because it felt like i was gonna loop the thing...
as for the flat pedals, i tried them back on my ss after a while on spd's and couldn't get up and of the hills that i could with spd because of the fact you can use the upstroke (not sure if that's the correct term for it but essentially pulling up on the pedal as well as pushing down with both legs at the same time) certainly worth a try as it makes ss a bit more, well, easy...