TreddlyWest

Over the last couple of years you couldn’t read a mtb mag without stumbling upon an article on Singlespeed bikes, usually with the author being new to the idea and a new convert by the end of the piece. I’d always think ‘one day…. ‘. Having wore out my middle chainring and cassette for a second time from commuting everyday on the hardtail, I reached a crossroad. I could fork over another $200 for a fresh set, or say hell with it and go single. The commute from Yarraville until you reach the CBD is flat anyway, and I was only ever using 3 gears at the most. With it no longer being my only mountain bike I thought it was probably worth a shot.

Having ridden it for over twelve months now both on and off road I think I have an idea what it’s about. I won’t get into the whole Zen bullshit about being one with the bike and trail, I haven’t gone out and got any gnarly tattoos, and I’m not rejecting the marketing campaigns for the latest expensive bits of bling for your bike – For what I can afford, I’m still an enthusiastic consumer when it comes to riding.

It’s a number of things to me. I love the quiet ride you get from the fixed chain, and how stiff & light your bike becomes once you remove both deraileuers, cables, the cassette and shifterpods. 

But the thing that’s stayed with me since my first ride to work, is that it’s just like I’m riding my BMX to school again. Being in a higher gear you pedal harder from the lights, rocking your handlebars from side to side to build up speed, and riding down the hill on LaTrobe St past Telstra Dome I can only coast and take in the view, just like I would have on the BMX. The riding isn’t constant. You’re out of the saddle a lot more and the same 7km route to work everyday doesn’t get boring, it’s just fun.