SSMTB Gearing - Viewer Questions or: Why Do Non-singlespeeds Cause ED?

In this wideo I answer viewer questions that didn't make the Singlespeed Gearing Moron Math video: would I ever use specific-length sections of chain so I don't have to slide my dropouts while swapping cogs? Will singlespeeding get you more dates? What are the good kinds of cogs? Does tire volume matter? Freehub vs freewheel? SS-specific wheels vs non-SS-specific wheels? And how does the gearing on your geared bike compare to the gear on my singlespeed?

[@teikjoon]

For a geared bike, the non-straight chainline, the deraileur and the heavier casette all rob power from the drivetrain...that's probably why you need to run lower gears to get the same "feel" I think.

[@jeremyprovonsil7886]

You’re not wrong! Besides the ones you listed, the biggest power loss on other bikes is almost always the suspension. Rider technique being the big outlier, if your setup is dialed SS has virtually no mechanical weak points for power transfer to the tire.

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

Everyone looks at me like I'm insane when I ride my SS. And even though I'm far from a superhero or even a weekend racer, I get to the top first. I tell them "it's the bike" but they all think that I must be crazy strong or something. I can't convince anyone to try it. Oh well.

[@MikeinCC]

It's hard to explain to people who have never ridden a SS. You just have to ride one, then you'll understand. It's a psychological and physical reckoning. You just feel different (and ride different) knowing you only have one gear. You either go, or you stop, and I've always believed there's a huge psychological component to rewarding singlespeeding.

[@matticus6339]

Yep people that have never ridden one just don't "get it". SS for the win, SS will always be purest form of mountain biking.

[@acetylcholine3]

The gear comparison is phenominal. It's the same thing on the road. Something about the single cog in the rear and single cog in the front being massively more energy efficient plus the weight reduction makes single speed gearing feel far better than having those derailleur cogs sucking up your energy and trying to mimic single speeding with gears.

[@ThisIsLesli]

"Why do you hate commas, Geoff?" 🤣

[@PeepMeRide]

Excellent info man. Interesting about the geared bike not feeling the same as a SS. It sounds like I’m using the same gears you do for most things. I’m going to try 32/21 to start with and see how it goes. I’m not a fast rider. I prefer the slower technical stuff.

[@OneWheelLess]

Great place to start, I’d get a 20 and a 21 if you can 👍

[@lindonandlisa8114]

thank you so much for all the information

[@kimrice394]

Sliding drops for the win! I hate eccentrics, the fit change is undesirable to me. My body is finicky, a shoe change will cripple me🤣. That and they like to seize. Side note: every chain tensioner SUCKS! Exception: A clutched derailer. The geared ratio comparison holds true, the efficiency of single speed versus geared is the difference. Look up drivetrain power lose and you’ll be amazed at the percentage of power lost.

[@lloydmack3486]

I love this dude !

[@johnsalvaggio]

Interesting comments about the SS vs. geared comparison. I’ve noticed the same exact thing. Maybe it’s the addition of pulleys that’s causing the difference in feel?

[@DirtWireTV]

That's definitely a little bit of it but I think it's mostly magic.

[@oklahotb3217]

Could be added drag of the chainline angle too

[@WadeParish]

Maybe the longer chain on a geared bike makes the difference?I watched a motorcycle video about gearing once that said chain length matters. Like if you had the same exact sprockets but triple length chainstays, it would somehow end up being a different gear ratio. I don’t really understand how that’s possible but I heard it on KZbin so it must be true.

[@AdlerMow]

Its about friction and inertia on the chain, not that it changes gear ratio. A shorter chain is more efficient than a longer one.

[@whip113]

Same gearing observations geared vs. SS, and I'm using the same bike for both and just swapping in a wheel with a cassette with shifter & mech.

[@peterinnes6853]

Helpful thanks

[@singletona082]

I'm currently riding a cheapie walmart bike. Basically using it to bash and learn and have fun with both because money for me very much is an object and I honestly don't need a lot of bike. This bike comes wit ha freewheel hub. Any recommendations for someone who lives nowhere near a bike shop on upgrade paths? I'm kinda half tempted to just... buy a coaster brake hub and see how that rolls for the sake of giggles and haven't because of limited funds.

[@nathanaelweber2232]

Would you recommend a 27.5 single speed?

[@DirtWireTV]

It's something I've tried, might make a whole wideo about it.

[@hylandfisher3744]

Any word on SSWC21?

[@eli2685]

Anyone else running 60 gear inches? Hearing this guy run half as much makes me think I'm a psycho.

[@robindegu7294]

Any thoughts about belt drive SS?

[@astraproducts]

I have a spot rocker ss with belt drive. The belt is cool, but it's more like a solution looking for a problem since there's nothing really wrong with chain drives except they require a little bit of maintenance. And there are some downsides of the belt drive.... Unlike a chain which could be adjusted, the belt length is fixed. If you want to play around with gearing you may need to get a new belt as well in order for the spacing to work with your available chainstay adjustment. The other issue I have is that the available chainrings are all pretty big diameter. Mine is currently 46t. That creates some clearance issues. I think smallest available is 39t which is still big. Considering converting to chain drive for those reasons.

[@coolcycles]

...you're sure, you got a 32 on your multispeed bike as well - not 42? That's a huge step. What do you think, where the magic happens? What about a single wheeled chain tensioner? No magic no more?

[@DirtWireTV]

Yup, I definitely have a 32 chainring. Haven't had a 42 chainring in about 15 years! Maybe I'll talk about elliptical chainrings, chain tensioners, and some other stuff in the next wideo.

[@graffix11us]

I tried following a fried on his SS with me just staying in one gear, could not do it. SS's are magic and why I've been riding them ever since.

[@glenlyman2882]

Though I enjoy all of your vids, please don't stop with the SS content.

[@OneWheelLess]

Love my Honzo. There’s some cool tensioning designs, but the sliders are still the best

[@Gieszkanne]

I have read that with even numbers on the gear like 32/18 the chain keeps up better than 32/19 or 32/17 for example. Do you know something about that?

[@JohnDoe-zb7dz]

I'm currently running 34:18 on a 26" 1.75 Michelin Country Rock tire. All White Industries set-up. Their eccentric hub only gives me about 2 chain links of leeway. So I have a chain for every sprocket. And then you always have to line up the rim brakes whenever you make changes or get a flat. It's been a rugged setup for me but my next build will be sliding drops. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject.

[@duckmanduckfairy8010]

Schweed!!!!

[@gib_life]

Can you do a video on full suspension single speeds? I want to go single speed and keep my full squish. What things do I need to consider when choosing a tensioner?

[@robindegu7294]

Just discovered your videos and considering SS. Great and funny explainers

[@samvilla6290]

Me watching this video agreeing with you about how no one blows up wheels on their trail bikes, then went for a ride on the road and snapped my spoke 3 mins in doing a sprint out of a corner on the road

[@TimRoache84]

Cheers

[@Dugafola]

how many quick links in a chain is too many?

[@SnootchieBootchies27]

You can make your entire chain out of quick links if you want. It's just expensive