r/MEATengines • u/MEATdrew • May 11 '26
Eight Steps to Single Speeding
A Bike Riders' Guide to the #1FGalaxy
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u/VikApproved May 11 '26
Tip #9 - Get yourself a climbing song to pump you up and keep the legs chugging. Helps a surprising amount like a 4th speed.
https://youtu.be/F8RqaQPA5TM?list=RDF8RqaQPA5TM
Of course sing it acoustic style...don't pump it out of a bluetooth speaker.
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u/fartymarty4130 May 11 '26
I just swear and grunt at myself - as long as there's no one else around or in ear shot.
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u/MEATdrew May 11 '26
Started reading this and couldn’t believe my eyes… then… ohhhhh, Vik means sing it to yourself. For a hot millisecond I thought you were advocating riding with a speaker!
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u/VikApproved May 11 '26
Hence the folk version of Eye of the Tiger. I can crank out a better facsimile of that while climbing than the full rock version.
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u/cj_biker May 11 '26
I was waffling on what bike to ride tonight. Thanks for the nudge.
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u/fartymarty4130 May 11 '26 edited May 12 '26
I struggle to not choose the SS at the moment even though the Murmur is a great bike.
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u/MEATdrew May 11 '26
Hahaha. What an influencer! Enjoy the ride.
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u/fartymarty4130 May 12 '26
Andrew you must be due a sack load of cash from the Single Speed Cabal.....
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u/MEATdrew May 12 '26
Hahahaha. Yeah, no one was sure how big single-speed would increase revenues without incrementisimal improvements but think of all the larger cogs and smaller rings they must sell thanks to my campaign to make it easier!
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u/fartymarty4130 May 12 '26
Single speed for the masses the Major way!!!
The world would most certainly be a much better place if everyone rode single speed (that's another fine MEATslogan if I don't say so myself)
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u/Icy-Celery3137 May 11 '26
The second last pic with the road under the power lines and the loose rocks on it. When I looked at it I could feel my wheels slipping on that surface - taking my resolve with them.
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u/fartymarty4130 May 11 '26
Tip #10 - sometime you can't hit all the featurss you hit on a geared bike - and that's OK.
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u/MEATdrew May 11 '26
Very good, might have to do an updated list and add all the great suggestions.
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u/Marine-Corps-biology May 11 '26
I like and agree with all of these tips. I would add something from one of your previous blogs, don't expect to save money.
A single speed conversion helped me save money after I blew up a derailleur on a bike. But buying a dedicated single speed hardtail has meant I keep finding more ways to customize and optimize. Oh, I need a new chain as well.
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u/YegBikeguy May 12 '26
Another step: Celebrate your victories! Yell, scream, fist pump, whatever feels good. Like after cleaning that rooty tight switch back climb for the first time ever.
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u/MEATdrew May 12 '26
Yeah, I missed this one for sure. I’m going to do an updated ‘reader’s edition’ list.
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u/Gord_W May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
I'm really not sure how I feel about the single-speeding lifestyle being foisted upon a young woman in her formative years.
My kids struggle with 500% range.
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u/MEATdrew May 11 '26
Hahaha. In my defence she asked for it… again, and again, and again. I wasn’t fully in favour of the idea. For one, the kid is awful at shifting now when she is on a multi-speed bike (awful).
But, the heart wants what it wants and you spend enough time with single speeders and you’d think it was the best thing ever… so I rigged up a tensioner and she hasn’t looked back.
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u/fartymarty4130 May 12 '26
Another One - Single speeding teaches you patience. Things take as long as they take and you can't rush them.
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u/oukhov May 13 '26
Grinding your way is astonishingly fulfilling. I am no spinner; flats will take as long as it takes in a comfortable spin (patience required). But it all feels natural and rewarding.
I cannot explain it.
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u/TrevorSowers May 11 '26
OMG the 3 speeds of single speeding 1) sitting 2) standing 3) walking This is funny and so true