|   You know you're a single speeder when.. | aka brad
Nov 13, 2003 3:54 PM | | you can't balance your check book with a calculator but you can figure gear inches in your head, or;
you rave about someones ability to mangle a perfectly good rear derailleur and turn it into a tensioner.
I saw this about New York cyclist (some are very funny) and figured we could come up with of our own..
http://bicyclehabitat.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=264 |
| Sounds pretty accurate to me, ... | scorcher seb
Nov 13, 2003 4:40 PM | | ...except I never let my bike out of my sight, or my apartment. If I needed to use a restroom, the bike went in with me.
I still miss flying down 5th Avenue, shouting at the cabs, trying to make every light from 58th to Washington Square Park. Happened once.
And racing the Chinese delivery guys.
And I got my first suspension fork to cope with NYC roads, not to go offroad.
And used to ride to one of the nicest, most deserted beaches I've ever been to - still within sight of the Twin Towers.
Sorry - I'll stop reminiscing now. |
| Which beach, Seb? | Mackie
Nov 14, 2003 7:24 AM | | Rockaways/Fort Tilden area?
New York is a vast cycling world.
Interestingly, my job may be switching back there, so i may be able to break out the commuter once again..... |
| Breezy Point. | scorcher seb
Nov 14, 2003 7:34 AM | | You could ride down a sandy road, otherwise only open to fishermen with permits, at the end of a gated community (inhabited by retired cops and firemen) - so a bike was just about the only way of getting to it. At the end of the "road" you had to walk through the nature reserve getting dive bombed by birds protecting their nests. Residents of the community never venture more than 100 yards from their house, so I'd have that portion of the beach pretty much to myself.
It was a nice ride starting in the concrete jungle of lower Manhattan, over Brooklyn Bridge, through various ethnic communities, ending up in a little bit of paradise. |
| I know it well. It's a great place, isn't it? | Mackie
Nov 14, 2003 10:51 AM | | Afterwards I'll sometimes ride to Coney Island for a ride on the Cyclone.
Just thinking of it now is making me miss the summer! |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when... | bn
Nov 13, 2003 4:53 PM | | ...the first things you look at on a frame are the rear dropouts and BB.
...you see another rider you look to see if his/her bike has a rear derailleur.
...you see cranks and wonder how much it would take to convert to SS. |
| Oh man, I do the rear derailleur check all the time.. | aka brad
Nov 14, 2003 2:54 PM | | good call. |
| You know you're a single speeder when... | Hollywood
Nov 13, 2003 5:01 PM | | undoing all "advances" in technology (gears, shocks, etc.) makes logical sense to you.
you smile proudly from ear to ear when hearing another rider grind through their unsuccessful shifts.
funny post Brad :) |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | Sparty
Nov 13, 2003 5:33 PM | | ...you can't fully articulate to others why SSing makes more sense to you, but it does anyway.
...you choose your SS over all your other bikes when it's time to ride -- EVERY time it's time to ride.
...you really don't care whether others get it or not, so you don't defend or explain it.
...you see that brand new Blur in the bike shop window and want it, then think to yourself, "Why? I'd never ride it anyway."
--Sparty |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | shiggy©®
Nov 13, 2003 5:46 PM | | ... you get on a gearie and forget you
i can
shift if you want to...
... Then you have to think about which way to move the level to shift.
... you rip off the rear derailluer on a rock/stick/log because you forgot it was there...
... Then after making the bike a SS you are able it ride better. |
| shiggy- Im guilty of all 4 of yours | slowSSer
Nov 14, 2003 10:03 AM | | this has been one of the best posts ive seen on here in a while. thanks, guys. |
| Hey E....rumor has it you've not SSed in a LONG time... | Padre
Nov 14, 2003 10:25 AM | | |
| yeah buddy, "Passion" is that way -------> | Hollywood
Nov 14, 2003 10:28 AM | | 8^P |
| Hollywood and Padre: | slowSSer
Nov 14, 2003 11:10 AM | | gee, thanks guys. no christmas card for you!
truth be known, MOST of the recent rides have been SS.
so, there!
(mature response, eh?)
at least Im not as bad as terminaut- I cant remember the last time I saw him on a normal ride on something without gears. I dont think the cruiser cotillion counts.
|
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | Skatepark
Nov 13, 2003 5:59 PM | | your buddy tells you that he just dumped $2k on the new XTR kit and you just smile and laugh...especially when he can't beat you...
-t |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | JerseyDevil
Nov 13, 2003 6:57 PM | | ...you justify buying 2 bikes instead of 1 because you saved money not buying shifters, derailleurs, and cassettes.
...you see riders with gears as inferior.
...you laugh at the thought of different length spokes on the same wheel.
...you show up to a race in a dress, and get mad because someone else has a nicer one on than you do.
...you know why steel is real. |
| forgot one | bn
Nov 13, 2003 6:25 PM | | when you race you don't bother with a camelbak or bottles cuz you know you'll be chuggin' a beer after each lap. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | SSexySS
Nov 13, 2003 7:07 PM | | mixing beer and vigorous exercise makes perfect sense |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | ernesto from Wisconsin
Nov 13, 2003 7:17 PM | | ...you have fresh ground gnome meat in your fridge
...you have a regular frame, and want to take the plunge, and but a tensioner or ENO, and you end up selling anything that shifts on eBay |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | SS Slave
Nov 13, 2003 7:34 PM | | ..you grind yer arse up a climb and realize u just smoked your riding buddy cause he's still spinning in the granny gear. Then you pump the cranks and keep pushing... |
| You know you're a single speeder when.. | Hollywood
Nov 13, 2003 8:11 PM | | -you see a gearie up ahead that ignites a fire in you like no other, and you'll endure all levels of pain and exhaustion just to pass his shifty ass. Then at the top of the hill, modestly state to the other riders "Oh this? yeah, just a singlespeed..." :)
- you can gaze at that perfect 'ice cream cone on it's side' chainline for hours...
- denim overalls make perfect sense as cycling apparel. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | GlowBoy
Nov 13, 2003 9:38 PM | | You start hammering to pick up momentum before you hit the hill.
You stand up in the saddle on hills even when you're riding a gearie.
You enjoy spinning the cranks backwards and counting how many times they go around before they stop.
You enjoy pointing this out to others.
You no longer have to look up the URL for the FixMeUp! website.
You realize the bike you're fantasizing about for your "next" purchase is not something you read about in Mountain Bike Action, but an entry level track bike. |
| Glowboy, you nailed it for me!!! | striker
Nov 14, 2003 1:30 AM | | You realize the bike you're fantasizing about for your "next" purchase is not something you read about in Mountain Bike Action, but an entry level track bike.
That's where my head has been lately. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | GirchyGirchy
Nov 16, 2003 3:37 PM | | "You enjoy spinning the cranks backwards and counting how many times they go around before they stop."
I love doing that!
I also enjoy watching the cranks move forward by themselves when pushing the bike. Nice. |
| You try and drive your 5-speed truck everywhere only in 3rd gear | cygnus
Nov 13, 2003 10:44 PM | | Using momentum as your friend as you approach hills...And then after that experiment, you fantasize about talking to a mechanic about the possibility of modifying the drive train so that it never shifts again. Finally, you realize that gears are fine on autos, but unnecessary, like an appendix, on bikes. |
| You know you're a single speeder when... | Biking Viking
Nov 14, 2003 5:14 AM | | ...you feel superior to those who ride a geared bike.
Geir |
| for convesation sake, I can't agree with this one | striker
Nov 14, 2003 6:00 AM | | I personally don't feel superior to geared riders? That is such an 'us verus them' mentality. It's about riding a bike isn't it? And in our case, a less complicated bike.
"Ride what you want to ride for whatever reason you choose. If you're on a bike and you're having fun, then you're doing it right." - Spydersmom |
| Just reading the replies here... | Biking Viking
Nov 14, 2003 6:50 AM | | "your buddy tells you that he just dumped $2k on the new XTR kit and you just smile and laugh...especially when he can't beat you..."
"you see riders with gears as inferior."
"..you grind yer arse up a climb and realize u just smoked your riding buddy cause he's still spinning in the granny gear. Then you pump the cranks and keep pushing..."
"you see a gearie up ahead that ignites a fire in you like no other, and you'll endure all levels of pain and exhaustion just to pass his shifty ass"
"You enjoy pointing this out to others."
Geir (Not a singlespeeder, although I ride my singlespeed a lot. I like to consider myself a "cyclist") |
| Trol | LakeRaven
Nov 14, 2003 6:57 AM | | Nice Pete Imitation.
Find your Moots yet? |
| Bingo we have a winner | Roger__
Nov 14, 2003 7:32 AM | | I agree, I may predominately ride a single speed, but that's just the rig I choose as a "cyclist."
If I'm faster or slower than someone, it would be that way regardless of what bike I'm riding or they're riding.
Although, I laugh too when somebody drops $2k on XTR! Only because I'd by XT and save the $800 to $1k to pay for all my racing for the year, but that's just me. |
| I guess we were thinking on the same lines...it's all good. nm | striker
Nov 14, 2003 7:32 AM | | |
| mostly in jest I'd imagine.... | Hollywood
Nov 14, 2003 8:39 AM | | we all know the reality of how hard and painful some rides can be. I almost died on General Coonskins' 40+ mile jaunt at Barbie Camp.
Most of your quotes, mine included, are just talkin' sh*t.
So thanks for bringing a voice of reason to this silly thread. |
| uh, ohhhh... fun police is here! | JerseyDevil
Nov 14, 2003 9:25 AM | | *Official disclaimer*
Anything I write on this forum is not to be taken seriously. Actually... don't read any of my posts at all. I really don't know what I'm talking about. Ever.
I wrote the "...when you see riders with gears as inferior" line.
I also ride geared bikes, about 50% of the time. I have 3 SSers and 3 geared bikes. Do I really think geared bikes are inferior? No. I really don't give a crap who rides what. I don't care if it's a pink Huffy with a basket. That would be kinda cool anyway. I ride to have fun. Most of the time, I ride to get away from the world and everybody in it. I'm not one to judge anything. Why would I? It has no impact on my life whatsoever. I don't care what anybody rides or how slowly they're riding it.
Now have yourself a good laugh and go ride whatever bike you want to with pride. |
| yep, we're all "cyclists" | GlowBoy
Nov 14, 2003 7:07 PM | | And BTW, my "You enjoy pointing this out to others" comment was in no way intended to imply a feeling of superiority over geared riders. It was more to point out what a gear freak I am, and any feelings of superiority that might be derived have to do with the equipment, not the rider. Just wanted to clarify.
|
| yep, we're all "cyclists" | Ebo
Nov 14, 2003 7:32 PM | | I also agree with BV's " I'm a cyclist" comment. Whatever gets you on a bike and keeps you on a bike is good. More than one way to skin a rabbit. I'm a total newbie to SSing, but today I got a comment from a fellow (geared) cyclist that really made my day. "Thanks for pushing me" he said, as I struggled to hang with him up a steep climb I usually ride in a far lower gear. XXXXing A. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | crux
Nov 14, 2003 6:34 AM | | -You will bitch about droping $100 to fix your auto, but won't think twice about dropping $1000 on a new frame.
-Value of your loaner bike is more than your car.
-Idea of a perfect vacation is a several day unsupported riding single track and two main conserns is who takes the beer and who takes the H2O filter.
-Walking down the street and can identify old campy track hubs at a distance.
-Thinking of adding one more single speed to the family. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | namaSSte
Nov 14, 2003 6:36 AM | | you stop washing your bike because now (in the words of Bill Murray) "it just doesn't mattter".
or
you start buying bigger tires rather than smaller ones
you know what "flick" means |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | jh_on_the_cape
Nov 14, 2003 7:03 AM | | After a ride, you simply put the bike in the shed. Then before the next ride, you simply get on your bike and start pedaling. No tuning required. That's the primary reason the geared bike just sits there. It doesnt work! |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | qtip
Nov 14, 2003 7:07 AM | | every time you watch Breaking Away you have to announce to your friends..."see, they're on a single speeds"
of the 8 bikes you own, only 1 has gears. And that is reserved for "friendly" rides with the wife when you "have" to go slow.
your non ss friends keep asking when you are going to convert your car to ss
when people are amazed at you cleaning a hill on your ss and you respond by saying "it's not bad, it's just what your body is used to", but deep down inside you are thinking.....yep, I really am the $hit.
you drool over bikes that, before ss addiction, you wouldn't have taken a second glance. |
| What is it about the geared bike that... | Biking Viking
Nov 14, 2003 7:16 AM | | ...makes you go slower? |
| Nevermind - got it. | Biking Viking
Nov 14, 2003 7:17 AM | | You are able to select a gear that allows you to pedal uphill at any pace you like. Makes sense.
Geir |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | Billy Rousell
Nov 14, 2003 8:32 AM | | 85% dorky comments, 15% almost true
BR |
| you just flat-out DIG it!... | JAK
Nov 14, 2003 8:50 AM | | and by DIG, I mean:
deeper.
the different challenge.
swaping out an entire 'groupo' from frame to frame in under an hour.
you tossed your Derailleurs In the Garbage.
PedalHopPower.
loving your silent partner.
you don't mind seeing triplicate. |
| re: You know you're a single speeder when.. | SconnySSer'
Nov 14, 2003 9:25 AM | | You know you're a single speeder when..
You've been climbing singletrack for miles herkin' on the handle bars, standing, lower back screeching atcha', grindin' away on your drive, just tellin' your self I KNOW I can make it to the top!! and you always do... |
| these made me laugh: | slowSSer
Nov 14, 2003 9:51 AM | | done this one many a time!
...another cyclist asks you if you know the location of the nearest bike shop, you fix their bike on the spot.
every time I see bikes on top:
a car goes by with two (your preferred gender here) carrying two bikes. you can't recall their hair color or what make suv, but you can id the bikes make, model & color...
nice! thanks for the links! |
| When your buddy leaves his bike at your house overnight | Fett
Nov 14, 2003 10:25 AM | | and when he picks it up, the shifters, cables, derailleurs, cassette, big and little rings are in a plastic bag attached to the handlebar and there is a Singulator where the rear derailleur used to be. (I just did this to a friend of mine) He hasn't thanked me yet, but he hasn't changed it back either. |
| LOL man that's the BEST one yet I gotta try it on someone (nm) | dogbreath
Nov 14, 2003 11:24 AM | | |
| seriously? nm | DAS
Nov 14, 2003 6:35 PM | | nm |
| Kind of | Fett
Nov 15, 2003 4:57 PM | | I had been dogging my buddy to let me convert his old Diamond Back Sandvik Ti hardtail to a SS, since he bought a Team Scalpel and it was just gathering dust in his garage. He kind of said that he would try it sometime and I took the initiative the first chance that I got. |
| good stuff.................nm | SSteelbike
Nov 16, 2003 6:38 PM | | |
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