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Single Speed Awaba


Dee's picture

By Dee - Posted on 15 April 2016

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Pretty keen to get out to Awaba soon for a single speed ride.

Any advice on what ratio to use?

pancakes's picture

Only ridden the SS there once, and it was a few years ago, but 32:18 was what I did it with. Was good.

From memory the only place I had to get off was the steep pinch near the end. But, human memory is a notably unreliable record of fact lol.

I do have a pic of me well inside the hurt box at the to of the camel back climb.

Dee's picture

Thanks for the reply. I've never been out there but I'm very keen to go take a spin.

What size tweely/tyre was that with?

pancakes's picture

Rigid 29er. It was pretty good fun from memory, like I'm not mentally scarred from the experience lol.

twotommos's picture

I would prob start on a 32x20.....since you're starting out - then dabble from there. It takes a while for your body to adjust ....

Dee's picture

Thanks heaps for the advice.

I can run something close that with a 29x19 and a 3" tyre using my existing parts.

twotommos's picture

There a neat app for your iphone called 'bikegearcalculator' which i find useful for looking for gear ratio possibilities/options.

pancakes's picture

I have a neat app in my brain called 'IforgothowmuchtheSShurtonthistracklasttime' which I only seem to be able to run when it's too late.

twotommos's picture

Too funny mate!

Black Flash's picture

That's why I like having a selection of cogs on the back. For just those situations. Effectively I'm still on a single speed as I'm only on one cog at a time... Just not for too long... Smiling

hawkeye's picture

Called ShutUpLegs.

Works great on the roadie and the XC bike, especially when chasing faster riders (which is most of the time for this slowpoke) up lomg steep hills. I think it was first released in Germany and kind of went viral from there.

Not compatible with singlespeed platforms though. It keeps crashing, displaying "Error 101: Power leak. Imminent knee failure. Get off and walk." Sad

chrischris's picture

I ride awaba ss all the time. I live in the area. I started at 32:20 on my rigid 29er. I was setting pretty quick times, so I left it at that for ages.

I tried 32:19 later, but camelbak was too hard. 32:20 is perfect. Seriously.

If I can win C grade, and come 4th in B grade, (at Awaba) I must be doing okay. 32:20 is the bees knees.
(And - Ed McDonald used the same ratio when he was racing SS in the Choc Foot races years ago)

EDIT: I did try 32:17 a couple of times after riding some tarmac. It is possible, but it's mostly grinding heavily instead of easy spinning. And Camelbak Climb & 'Murderhorn' are impossible. (for me)

twotommos's picture

Great feedback Chris.....camelbak is the make or break!

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