[The Romance of Inconvenience] Let's enjoy single speed bikes in all their forms!
Simplicity is best. It's the ultimate cool style everyone thinks of.
I'm talking about single-speed bikes on YouTube. If you're interested, please take a look.
↓YouTube Live "Do you know about single-speed MTBs?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwxwU4LSpSQ
↓"No gears! The appeal of single-speed mountain bikes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGTpdfLFqU&t=5s
↓"Introducing what kind of bicycles can be converted to single-speed!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfZP9FTh-9w
↓"I built a Single Speed MTB"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0cG8LW8jo&t=11s
↓Please also refer to this blog for single-speed MTBs.
https://www.grumpy.jp/?p=69686
If single-speed bikes were cameras, they'd be prime lenses! Yes, they are inconvenient. But I think the ultimate hobby is enjoying inconvenience. Just like riding a kick-start carburetor motorcycle, inconvenience can be the greatest pleasure.
The advantages are that the chain doesn't come off and there are fewer parts to break. The disadvantage is that you can't pedal up steep hills. Well, if there's a steep hill, stop pedaling and push your bike up.
For the brave ones, try building a wheel with a single-gear specific hub. And then, ride it. It's ultimately cool. There are roughly four types of single-gear hubs.
[Freebody type]
Hubs with a freebody, like Industry Nine.
These hubs have a pawl that makes a clicking sound. This type makes it easy to change the gear cog (sprocket). Although it's easy, changing the gear ratio also changes the chain length.
Industrynine Hydra MTB SingleSpeed Rear hub ¥60,000
Available in a wide range of colors, making it a great accent for customization!
For details, please check the manufacturer's page.
(Front hubs are also available for ¥30,000)
Gear cogs (sprockets) are available from ¥2,000 to ¥8,000.
In addition to Surly and Chris King, there are also playful options like Kick Ass Cog with a wide range of colors.
・Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32 (17-22T) View in online store
・Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32 (13-16T) View in online store
The number of teeth on the gear is like a camera lens. 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, etc. If I'm going to that field, 35mm would be good... and so on. You can enjoy it that way.
・ChrisKing Stainless Steel Cog ¥9,020 View in online store
[Free Gear Type]
This type involves attaching a freewheel later, from brands like White Industries, Paul, Surly, or Phil Wood.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29378301317/in/photostream/
Attach a freewheel like this, with clicks, to the hub.
The price of this freewheel varies greatly, from ¥2,000 to ¥15,000! If you want to hear a good sound, definitely try the expensive models from White Industries!
White industries FreeWheel
(16~19t) ¥13,090 View in online store
(20~22t) ¥14,080 View in online store
[Type that converts a regular hub to single speed]
This method involves attaching a single-speed kit "single spacer kit" and a "single cog" to a common cassette hub.
↓ The cog in the photo is a Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44314323581/in/photostream/
You can also use the single cogs introduced earlier.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30447018328/in/photostream/
This is the easiest way to customize to a single speed, utilizing your existing parts set.
[Fixed Gear]
This is a common specification for track bikes, such as All-City Big Block and Surly Steamroller. This is also a type of single speed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534760412/in/album-72157673252672618/
The appeal of fixed gear is becoming one with the bicycle. Since there is no freewheel mechanism, the cranks and wheels are directly connected, so your feet are constantly spinning while riding.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646921497/in/album-72157673252672618/
When going fixed gear, pedal straps are convenient. They are not necessary for casual city riding, but if you're serious about riding, these are recommended. This is because at high speeds, your feet can easily fly off.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534760522/in/album-72157673252672618/
If you're still using a freewheel, try a fixed gear too. We recommend these cogs for fixed gear.
・Surly TRACK COGS 1/8 (13-16T) View in online store
・Surly TRACK COGS 1/8 (17-22T) View in online store
・Phil Wood track cog (1/8) View in online store
・EUROASIA cog View in online store
Question: What kind of bikes can be converted to single speed?
Answer: You can convert a bike to single speed even if the frame isn't designed specifically for it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30447017858/in/photostream/
This is a frame that cannot be converted to single speed, but it has been converted to single speed. How do you do it? Well...
There's something called a Philcentric BB, which allows you to adjust the chain with the BB itself.
PHIL WOOD philcentric BB (for Shimano) ¥29,700
Special tools are required! Grumpy can also do the work and adjustments, so leave it to us.
With this Philcentric BB, most bicycles can be customized to single speed.
You can also convert a cyclocross bike to a single-speed setup. It's okay to compete in cyclocross with a SSCX setup.
The recommended style is city riding. Single-speed bikes, with their fewer breakdowns, are perfect for city riding.
Click here for the appeal of single-speed cyclocross ↓
https://www.grumpy.jp/?page_id=48492
MTBs to single speed too!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534758202/in/album-72157695326217210/
It's simple and cool. If you're riding trails, of course, gears would be better. But to enjoy MTB riding by making that part inconvenient. I think that's the ultimate.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646919207/in/album-72157695326217210/
This single-speed style is the "type that converts a regular hub to single speed." It's more affordable, and you can use your current hub, so replacement is easy.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646919007/in/album-72157695326217210/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646917897/in/album-72157695326217210/
Even for getting around Hiroshima city, a single speed is sufficient! (There are many rivers, so the climb up the bridges is a bit tough for a moment).
Imagine a single-speed bike in your head and fantasize about it. Simplicity is the coolest.
This is a single-speed I saw at QBP in the USA. It's a Surly Cross-Check converted to a single-speed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30384867616/in/album-72157675401379855/
When I went MTB riding with the Surly crew, their single-speeds looked incredibly cool!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29789896684/in/album-72157675401379855/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30150370810/in/album-72157675401379855/
Let's start fantasizing about single-speed bikes.
I'm talking about single-speed bikes on YouTube. If you're interested, please take a look.
↓YouTube Live "Do you know about single-speed MTBs?"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwxwU4LSpSQ
↓"No gears! The appeal of single-speed mountain bikes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGTpdfLFqU&t=5s
↓"Introducing what kind of bicycles can be converted to single-speed!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfZP9FTh-9w
↓"I built a Single Speed MTB"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv0cG8LW8jo&t=11s
↓Please also refer to this blog for single-speed MTBs.
https://www.grumpy.jp/?p=69686
If single-speed bikes were cameras, they'd be prime lenses! Yes, they are inconvenient. But I think the ultimate hobby is enjoying inconvenience. Just like riding a kick-start carburetor motorcycle, inconvenience can be the greatest pleasure.
The advantages are that the chain doesn't come off and there are fewer parts to break. The disadvantage is that you can't pedal up steep hills. Well, if there's a steep hill, stop pedaling and push your bike up.
For the brave ones, try building a wheel with a single-gear specific hub. And then, ride it. It's ultimately cool. There are roughly four types of single-gear hubs.
[Freebody type]
Hubs with a freebody, like Industry Nine.
These hubs have a pawl that makes a clicking sound. This type makes it easy to change the gear cog (sprocket). Although it's easy, changing the gear ratio also changes the chain length.
Industrynine Hydra MTB SingleSpeed Rear hub ¥60,000
Available in a wide range of colors, making it a great accent for customization!
For details, please check the manufacturer's page.
(Front hubs are also available for ¥30,000)
Gear cogs (sprockets) are available from ¥2,000 to ¥8,000.
In addition to Surly and Chris King, there are also playful options like Kick Ass Cog with a wide range of colors.
・Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32 (17-22T) View in online store
・Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32 (13-16T) View in online store
The number of teeth on the gear is like a camera lens. 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, etc. If I'm going to that field, 35mm would be good... and so on. You can enjoy it that way.
・ChrisKing Stainless Steel Cog ¥9,020 View in online store
[Free Gear Type]
This type involves attaching a freewheel later, from brands like White Industries, Paul, Surly, or Phil Wood.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29378301317/in/photostream/
Attach a freewheel like this, with clicks, to the hub.
The price of this freewheel varies greatly, from ¥2,000 to ¥15,000! If you want to hear a good sound, definitely try the expensive models from White Industries!
White industries FreeWheel
(16~19t) ¥13,090 View in online store
(20~22t) ¥14,080 View in online store
[Type that converts a regular hub to single speed]
This method involves attaching a single-speed kit "single spacer kit" and a "single cog" to a common cassette hub.
↓ The cog in the photo is a Surly CASSETTE COGS 3/32.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44314323581/in/photostream/
You can also use the single cogs introduced earlier.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30447018328/in/photostream/
This is the easiest way to customize to a single speed, utilizing your existing parts set.
[Fixed Gear]
This is a common specification for track bikes, such as All-City Big Block and Surly Steamroller. This is also a type of single speed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534760412/in/album-72157673252672618/
The appeal of fixed gear is becoming one with the bicycle. Since there is no freewheel mechanism, the cranks and wheels are directly connected, so your feet are constantly spinning while riding.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646921497/in/album-72157673252672618/
When going fixed gear, pedal straps are convenient. They are not necessary for casual city riding, but if you're serious about riding, these are recommended. This is because at high speeds, your feet can easily fly off.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534760522/in/album-72157673252672618/
If you're still using a freewheel, try a fixed gear too. We recommend these cogs for fixed gear.
・Surly TRACK COGS 1/8 (13-16T) View in online store
・Surly TRACK COGS 1/8 (17-22T) View in online store
・Phil Wood track cog (1/8) View in online store
・EUROASIA cog View in online store
Question: What kind of bikes can be converted to single speed?
Answer: You can convert a bike to single speed even if the frame isn't designed specifically for it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30447017858/in/photostream/
This is a frame that cannot be converted to single speed, but it has been converted to single speed. How do you do it? Well...
There's something called a Philcentric BB, which allows you to adjust the chain with the BB itself.
PHIL WOOD philcentric BB (for Shimano) ¥29,700
Special tools are required! Grumpy can also do the work and adjustments, so leave it to us.
With this Philcentric BB, most bicycles can be customized to single speed.
You can also convert a cyclocross bike to a single-speed setup. It's okay to compete in cyclocross with a SSCX setup.
The recommended style is city riding. Single-speed bikes, with their fewer breakdowns, are perfect for city riding.
Click here for the appeal of single-speed cyclocross ↓
https://www.grumpy.jp/?page_id=48492
MTBs to single speed too!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/44534758202/in/album-72157695326217210/
It's simple and cool. If you're riding trails, of course, gears would be better. But to enjoy MTB riding by making that part inconvenient. I think that's the ultimate.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646919207/in/album-72157695326217210/
This single-speed style is the "type that converts a regular hub to single speed." It's more affordable, and you can use your current hub, so replacement is easy.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646919007/in/album-72157695326217210/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29646917897/in/album-72157695326217210/
Even for getting around Hiroshima city, a single speed is sufficient! (There are many rivers, so the climb up the bridges is a bit tough for a moment).
Imagine a single-speed bike in your head and fantasize about it. Simplicity is the coolest.
This is a single-speed I saw at QBP in the USA. It's a Surly Cross-Check converted to a single-speed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30384867616/in/album-72157675401379855/
When I went MTB riding with the Surly crew, their single-speeds looked incredibly cool!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/29789896684/in/album-72157675401379855/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/grumpy_bike/30150370810/in/album-72157675401379855/
Let's start fantasizing about single-speed bikes.