Fixed Gear versus Single Speed Cyclocross

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Permalink Reply by Joseph Davis on April 12, 2010 at 8:47pm

For cross, Single Speed is not Fixed! - It is very popular up here in Oregon & well worth it. Cross Crusade has a Single Speed division for there races & it is pretty hard racing. Racing Single Speed for the last several years, there are some advantages, here are the main ones:

No derailleurs to clog or break!
Less weight
Simpler set up - pedal or run, only two choices
can't drop a chain on re-mount or through bumpy trails

Did I mention no derailleurs to clog or break

One Major disadvantage I have had is a rear flat with track style dropouts(rear entry) usually take a larger wrench to remove the wheel & adjusting chain tension after repair takes time.

I am sure the list could go on & on but in my opinion it boils down to riding style. Single speed fits how I ride, I am faster on SS, smother, & get less tired during a race.

I think this thread could get quite a bit of discussion, so feel free to keep going everyone, likes & dislikes

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on April 13, 2010 at 1:46pm

I just got a SS cross bike and will be riding it in a race for first time this weekend (paristoancaster.com)

It' s not a real cyclocross race - more like a Euro-style one-day classic that combines gravel roads, farm lanes and single track.

So far my training has been fun and I really love the bike. Maybe the best part is not having to think about changing gears. Just go with the flow...

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Permalink Reply by Booksy on May 27, 2010 at 12:35pm

Here's a good discussion on the topic:
http://cowbell.cxmagazine.com/forum/topics/cx-singlespeed-pro

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Permalink Reply by Joe B on May 28, 2010 at 6:30am

On that "fan favorite" thing - you definitely will get comments - mostly supportive - from fans and other riders, who basically wonder if we are all crazy.

Just respond by singing Bob Marley's classic line "one love - one gear - lets get together and feel all right"

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Permalink Reply by Tavis on May 31, 2010 at 10:13pm

I know two guys who do fixed gear cyclocross. They're both nuts. Unless you feel like the races are just way too easy, there's no reason to attempt a fixed cross race. Where I am, there is a dedicated single speed category, which is really nice. The ss guys tend to be a little less serious and have a little more fun.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Hamon on June 1, 2010 at 8:14pm

When I started racing, I went straight to singlespeed because it was the closest thing to the BMX bikes I rode as a kid. It IS hard, and I mostly finish last or near-last, but it's also SO much more fun to ride a bike in the dirt and mud without worrying about fumbling a shift. The key is to pick a good gearing for the conditions. (I've got weenie legs so I usually run something like a 32x19 -- 32 x20 if it's especially gummy-muddy out there.)
Singlespeed is the best!

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Permalink Reply by Jeff on June 2, 2010 at 5:20am

i wouldn't even think about this unless there were a separate ss cat. think about the late laps in a race going uphill and everyone else shifts up and easily passes you by while you're pushing your bike uphill. i have a fixed gear, but it has a flip hub with a freewheel as well and yes they are simpler and cheaper but gears are much better. ss gets old fast. and the part about changing a rear flat will kill you. i need my rear wheel perfectly in the middle and chain tensioned right on, and even with chain tugs it takes me over 5 minutes and you cant do that in a race.

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