SSMTBs

Another Superfly.

that is the reason for selling my KM. lost the bid though..

Reposting for the new page as I think its perfection embodied. Clean lines, classic componentry, just the right amount of well matched jewellery.

People that are riding ssmtbs, what gearing are you running?

I've been using 32:17 or 18 but have been struggling on more technical climbs and needing to get off an push a wee bit. Also been having a bit of knee pain so was keen to reduce the gearing and to that end, I've just bought a 21t WI freewheel off ebay as it was going dirt cheap (slightly abused remover notches but runs like butter). I'm wondering if paired with the 32t up front it'll be too light. I guess the chainring on the bike its going on is starting to look a bit worn so I can go up a tooth or two when I replace it if need be.

People that are riding ssmtbs, what gearing are you running?

Anywhere between 50-55gi, depending on where I've been living/riding at the time. Never ridden ss anywhere hillier than Surrey though :-)

54.5 here

54.3 here - 32/17 on 2,2" 29'ers

2:1 should be all good. When forced to dismount, I often arrive at the conclusion that I could have ridden it, if had taken another line and gotten better traction. I think a higher skill level will make you go up slippery hills, not easier pedaling.

Totally in love with this

32/17 for me too, may go up to 34/17 when I build up the wide wheels.

I'm on 32/17 which is a bigger gear than most 29er riders, I wouldn't have thought you'd want to go much bigger.

.

Shoulda added that'd be mainly for the road with slick tyres.

Super moto 2.35" on 47mm wide rims should be loads of fun.

What kind of riding are you guys doing at 2:1? That's what I have an using it winter commuting and messing about on gravel/fire roads, but some mates dragged me out 'mountain biking' a couple of weeks ago. It was single track but boggy, covered in roots and rocks and with steep parts and I found it completely unridable. I'll be the first to admit that I have no MTB skill or experience whatsoever, but I'm stronger and fitter than those I was riding with on the road. They were spinning away at walking pace fighting over the lumps, bumps and obstacles at 24:36 and I was grinding like crazy barely turning the pedals and as soon as I hit any resistance at all in the form of roots, rocks or ramps I just had no torque at all to push the bike over and I'd come to a dead stop and would have real trouble just getting going again. Even once we got out of the hard stuff onto a long, shallow, snow covered rocky incline I was out of the saddle the entire way grinding at maybe 35-40rpm with the back wheel spinning up now and again.

I can't figure out if I'm just missing something, using the bike in a way that's inappropriate for SS or other. These guys I've been riding with have been racing MTB, some at a fairly high level, for the last 20 years and if they're chosing ~1:2 for the trails, I don't see how it's possible to do the same at 2:1. But if I geared to 1:2 or thereabouts, it'd be useless for any mixed terrain ride where there may be flat/smooth riding.

they are. I have them on velocity duallys at 42x18 for copenhagen commuting.
anything remotely hilly or muddy would be impossible though.

Agreed

Something like this. I ride on my sscx with 32c tyres and hylix and can keep up with my mtb friends with suspension and gears just fine. I am a little slower on descends though.
Are you riding clipless? You need foot retention to pull yourself over short steep slippery hills.

Gears are nice for climbing and speed and all that. But it's not for this thread is it?

You have to be a lot more dynamic on the bike when riding SS MTB, it's a lot about putting down power when you know you'll have traction and shifting your body weight around to muscle the bike over things like roots where you can't really pedal.

Obviously with a 24/36 bottom gear and suspension you can just sit down and twiddle over all the obstacles, but where's the fun in that?

Shit SSMTBers say >>>>>>>

Shit SSMTBers say >>>>>>>

"Ah fuck it... I think I'll walk this one"

Maybe that's just me.

I run either 32/18 or 32/20 on my Karate Monkey. 32/18 was ok for most riding in the Peaks and Pennines last year, 32/20 would have been a better choice for the Lakes... especially when loaded with sleeping bags/clothes etc.

Hill in the first 2hours of a ride? SMASH YOUR WAY UP IT

Hill after the first 2 hours of a ride? Push it and moan about needing a cafe stop.

2:1 is typical singlespeed cyclocross gearing in very muddy conditions with some ascents and no gravel/tarmac sessions - the 2:1 gearing doesn't cover muddy rooty mtb ascents.[with a bike + rider weight >70kg]

But on dry MTB trails you can really get far and fun on 2:1.