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Thoughts on riding a rigid singlespeed
August 22nd, 2006 by Tim GrahlThe training has been going well for my race on September 11th. As I said before, this season has resulted in a lot less riding on my part do to a certain youngster entering the scene. So a couple weeks ago I started riding regularly again to try and get ready for the VA DeRailer Series Peaks View Race. Last year I raced it in the beginner level and came in at 58 minutes. My plan was to race the Singlespeed class this year but I think that’s not gonna happen. It’s an open class which means I’ll be racing against experts and looking at their times from the first race… I won’t even come close. It’s only my third race afterall…
So the plan has changed to racing the beginner class on my rigid Raleigh XXIX 29er singlespeed. In some ways I believe this gives me the advantage. First off, I’m riding a 29er… secondly, if my legs can handle it, I’ll be faster on climbs and use the very few flat spots on the Peaks View course to my advantage.
As I’ve been training for this race I’ve noticed a few things about riding a rigid singlespeed…
- The very rooty and rocky terrain makes all parts of the course have some sort of pain involved. Although I’ve been riding rigid SS pretty much all season, I haven’t been working on going fast until the last couple weeks. Descending quickly beats you pretty good especially while flying down the Squeeze Trail (you locals know what I’m talkin about). Therefore the descents aren’t the rests they usually are. I’m finding that I’m often extremely tense on the descents as my body is taking so much more of the impact. I’m learning to loosen a bit but the rigid is gonna beat you up no matter what you do.
- The Peaks View Park course has very few stretches of flat trail. I would say at least 90% of the time you are on singletrack you’re either climbing or descending, so in the past on a geared bike a lot of the flat spots were wasted because I knew a climb was just around the corner so I would stay in an easier gear as to not waste time shifting around. Well on an SS I am using the flats a lot more efficiently… getting my speed up to use on the climbs. I can tell that any coasting I am doing is much faster and therefore I am entering both the descents and climbs at a higher rate of speed.
- I’m in lust with riding SS and have been for several months. I have found that my technical ability and use of momentum has greatly increased. Not to mention I spend more time worrying about riding instead of figuring out what gear I’m in.
- Anyone that says you don’t need suspension on a 29er obviously doesn’t ride much on the east coast. If you’re riding Peaks View with suspension, it’s an advantage.
- There are definitely times when rigid gives me more control. I don’t have to wait on the suspension to catch before I have complete control again.
What’s your thoughts on riding rigid SS? Feel free to add and/or correct my list.
I’ve been riding a rigid SS since I picked up my new ride in February. Check it out here:
http://ridefetish.com/bike/show/195
Here are my thoughts:
* I am from the East coast originally (Connecticut), but have since moved to Chicago. Riding in Illinois hardly requires much upfront, which is why I opted for a rigid fork. Regardless, I still see guys out there riding full downhill rigs with 8″ of travel on both ends. The East, however, is a much different story. I’d consider tossing on a 80/100 fork were I to return (maybe).
* Since switching to SS my riding has improved on several levels. First, like you said, I don’t need to worry about gearing. Instead I focus on the ride - my speed, the terrain, and proper timing to attack the next obstacle. My technical ability is improving too. I ride more obstacles with greater success. Less to think about with a SS. Just shut-up and ride.
* I’m faster on a SS and I can climb like a pro. Since I don’t have the proper gearing to sit-and-spin, I attack those hills and accelerate on the way up.
Good luck at the race.
Sort off topic, but…
I’ve recently noticed I am better in rock gardens with a rigid bike. To note:
-The best rider in our crew in the rock garden rides a hardtail.
-I’ve been riding full suspension, but I recently tried the rock garden with a hardtail, and made it with success.
-My last 2 runs in the rock garden, I have ran successfully with the suspension locked out.
My theory is that the suspension tends to get too bouncy and results in less sure-footing..?…?
I think riding rigid gives you a pretty good indication of whether or not you are in excellent physical condition. I’ve seen really fit guys rage very technical, rough single track. If you can take the arm and leg pump from the bumps, you can keep the wheels on the ground, and you will be fast.
Of course, that’s easier said than done!
29″ers are all about conserving momentum, which plays right into the hand of a singlespeeder. Cornering grip can lead to less braking, and less need to recover speed upon exit. Utilize this and you will gain time on 26″ers. 29″ers grip the corners more than your mind will allow you to believe.
Good Luck on the training! Hope the event goes well for you!
It was good ridin with ya yesterday Tim! See ya at Peaks View!
Tim,
Rigid is fast, but front suspension is faster in the long run. Why? Fatigue. I rode my Rig for a couple weeks with a rigid fork while my Reba was at Rock Shox for some repairs. Climbing is awesome! You can feel 100% of the power being transferred to the rear wheel. But as you mentioned, your upper body takes such a pounding on our rocky, rooty, rutted East coast sinle track that you will fatigue sooner than if you have a nice gushy fork to soak all that junk up. But, I wouldn’t even think about singlespeeding without my bar mounted pop-lock! I’ll be putting the rigid back on for the Poor MTN Hill Climb and some CX races in the fall, but I wouldn’t suggest that anyone take a suspension fork off in favor of a rigid - at least not around here!
Good luck with the training! Peaksview is an awesome venue for a SS!
Jake: Good riding with you to… when fall rolls around let’s get together for some rides!
Warren: First off, I took one look at the riders in the first race’s singlespeed class, saw your name and decided to stick with the beginner class.
And I do agree with the fatigue aspect… but hey I have the pride of suffering on a SS!
I started of with a ridgid fork and gave it up. it quit being fun. I have to confess to have a suspension seat post too, and I have to confess to 20 tooth rear cog, and to being 60. But its a great ride really quiet and i can do some climbing.
Going tubeless helped tremendously on my rigid 29…….it is truly amazing the difference!
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