Ask Pinkbike: Knee Pad Suggestions, Tires for the Southwest & Do I Want a Singlespeed?
Here at Pinkbike, we get inundated with all kinds of questions, ranging from the basic "Can I have stickers" to more in-depth, soul-searching types of queries like if you should pop the question or what to name your first child. Ask Pinkbike is an occasional column where we'll be hand-picking and answering questions that have been keeping readers up at night, although we'll likely steer clear of those last two and keep it more tech oriented.
Which Tires for Riding and Racing in the Southwest?
Question: @flaggnar asks in the Bikes, Parts, and Gear Forum: I was thinking about running a Maxxis Assegai front and Aggressor rear for enduro racing and general aggressive riding in the southwest US. I have Cushcore installed in the rear so I was thinking a lighter tire (over DHR II) might be nicer, and sometimes with the rear tires that have big knobs and big traction even when I want to break loose sometimes it feels like I can’t, so that’s another reason. The Assegai seems like great traction... not great rolling resistance but that’s why it’s on the front. Any thoughts / suggestions?
 | That's a reasonable setup, but if I was racing and riding in the Southwest I'd go with a Maxxis Minion DHF up front and a Griffin in the rear. I'd say the Assegai is overkill for the typical conditions in your part of the world – the DHF will be faster rolling, while still offering plenty of traction for those loose and sandy corners. Speaking of sand, the Griffin is one of my favorite tires when things are extra-dry and blown out; I prefer it over the Aggressor. It's only available in a 2.3” width, but pair it with a 2.5” DHF and you'll have a great combo for drier conditions. You may also want to consider a semi-slick, something along the lines of a Minion SS if you're looking for help getting that rear wheel to break free. |
The Griffin seems to fly under the radar, but it's a great choice for dry and dusty trails.
Should I Get a Singlespeed?
Question: @bestseller2019 asks in the All-Mountain/Cross-Country Forum: I need to buy a second, inexpensive mountain bike. I was reading about the Gravity G29 FS. Can you climb mountains (Seattle area) in a bike without gears? I like the idea of simplicity, but not sure how practical that bike is when riding trails.
| Singlespeeds were all the rage for a time in the early 2000s, and I spent my fair share of time riding on the one-speed train. I even did a 24 hour race (remember those?) solo on a singlespeed – my reasoning was that when my brain started to melt in the middle of the night I wouldn't need to remember how to shift. These days, my only singlespeeds are a dirt jumper and a town bike – my knees are much happier with my decicion to stop ditching the derailleur. But back to your question – should you get a singlespeed? Yes. Why? Well, you say you already have a mountain bike, so I'm assuming you're looking for something a little different, a new challenge. A singlespeed will change your typical riding experience – you'll find yourself standing up and pedaling way, way more than you ever have, and you'll also start trying to figure out methods to maintain your speed when you're spun out. You might even need to walk once in a while, which is humbling, and something I try to avoid at all costs, but there are some steep hills outside of Seattle, and not everyone has legs like Robert Forstemann. Singlespeeds may not be as popular as they once were, but in a time of 12-speed drivetrains, there's a certain appeal to the simplicity that comes with eliminating the cassette and derailleur altogether. I'd say go for it, although I'd be tempted to save up a little more cash to get a bike with a suspension fork - your wrists will thank you. You'll also probably need to spend some time experimenting with different gear ratios depending on just how steep your local trails are. |
Singlespeeds aren't for everyone, but they can make for a fun N+1 bike.
Comfortable Knee Pads?
Question: @congnargnar asks in the Bikes, Parts, and Gear Forum: Looking for a new set of kneepads now that my G-Forms are shot. Looking for something that's good and breathable for trail riding/uphill but burly enough for downhill. I like the look of the 7iDPs, but are there other pads that are more versatile?
| POC's Joint VPD knee pads are the most comfortable knee pads that I've found when it comes to pedaling performance. At $150 USD they're not cheap, but they stay in place extremely well, don't cause any annoying chafing, and help keep hard slams from totally toasting your knees. Those POC pads are a good pick for general trail riding, but if you're looking for something a little burlier, iXS' new Trigger knee pads might be the ticket. They offer extended coverage, including protection on the side of the knee. A set just arrived in for testing, and I've been able to get in a few rides with them so far. My only nitpick is that the upper cuff could be a little taller, but otherwise they're extremely comfortable, and provide a good deal of protection without being overly bulky. |
POC Joint VPD knee pads.
iXS Trigger knee/shin guards. Photo: iXS.
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Also don't need 11 speed on my enduro bike, i think i would be ok with seven
"Also don't need 11 speed on my enduro bike, i think i would be ok with seven"
I have bought the 10 speed cassette and reduced it to 8 speed with spacers on my hardtail enduro bike. Never felt better. All those extra ratios are ridiculous. My current set up is 36t on front and 11-32 on rear and it is more then enough for any climbs. Also by reducing 10s to 8s chain banging on border speeds is less and that actually also feels good.
So go for it. Throw away couple chainrinngs from cassette put spacers and you'll feel totally another level of simplicity and convenience.
Of course this must be done with understanding what you are doing.
I can provide you with some photos of drivetrain if you need
Anyway, i ll be grateful if you can send me some photos.
Last year i ditched the front derailleur and it's been good, less things to worry about, but i've never tought of removing gear from a cassette, i bought a 10 speed 11-42 instead
They make you a better rider.
When I bought my first mountain bike as an adult, it was a used, $600 Origin 8 Scout. With a single speed drivetrain and mechanical discs, it was super-simple to maintain. I went from not having ridden a mountain bike since I was a teenager, to more than 1K singletrack miles on it the first year I owned it.
When I upgraded after about a year, I kept it in my garage as my backup bike, and would still take it out whenever my main bike was in the shop, when I had a friend in town without a bike or just needed to be reminded of how fun it was to ride a single speed hardtail.
I sold it a couple years ago in a moment of temporary insanity, and I'll pick up another as soon as my bike budget allows.
The only downside (apart from not understanding how other riders can happily meander up sustained gradual climbs) is that people tend to see you on a singlespeed, and assume you're some kind of pain-loving badass god-of-the-climbs. Despite all other evidence to the contrary.
Made me a WAY better rider, plus way less chance of a mechanical in the mud and slop that is British winter (or all year really).
Plus there is no feeling better than kicking the butt of some guy on a Yeti sb5 than passing him on a descent, while on a singlespeed hard tail.
When I'd take out my single speed after a few months of riding geared bikes, I'd absolutely feel it in my arms, shoulders and back (healthy muscle-soreness, not unhealthy back pain).
Riding a single speed forces you to climb with your whole body.
For us it was downieville classic with no shuttling: start in downieville, warm up with 49 to Sierra City, then the whole baby head strewn Jeep road climb, then the descent. It was brutal; we did it a couple of times per year. One especially masochistic buddy would ride it on a 2:1 gear (26").
What I didn't expect is how much more fun I had, you're forced to look ahead to plan how you'll keep your speed. Now I get to a flat spot I sprint to up my cadence.
No more hamster in a cage spinning up hills.
No, it's just that this is literally the slowest speed I can climb without walking.
I get a good workout while staying close to the family, where with a geared bike I'm going to tend to have to take it easy to keep from ditching them the whole time.
1. gatorskins 700x25 front and back
2. do you wanna get laid?
3. i heard tampax pearls are comfy
happy shabbat shalom, everybody!
I tried the VPD and I just didn't dig the overall fit of them
The RaceFace Ambush knee pads are great. Super comfortable, but big enough to take to Whistler, and taking them off w/o taking your shoes off is awesome! Wish more companies went this route.
Also I had the older version of the POC VPDs and took a solid crash racing the downhill bike and they got bumped out of the way and I ended up with a gash right to the knee cap. Could have been a bad fit or the fact that they were a couple of years old. Either way not something I continued to use after that...
RN the RaceFace Ambush are on Amazon for $77 for a S/L/XL or $88 for a M. Either way a good deal IMO
Fit is the most important aspect - I'd recommend trying a few and see what works best, whether that be POC or another brand... Get yourself to a well stocked bike shop or make good use of some free returns!
But please DONT get the POC knee pads. I have two sets that were measured appropriately for my size. Went from POC air to the VPD thinking I had just purchased the wrong knee pads for the application.
Every time I have needed them they slide out of the way. Not sure if this is a design flaw or just poor engineering. But for how much they cost I can’t think of a more worthless knee pad.
"You ok?"
"Yeah *wheeze* Jelly baby?"
I got a 05 Jamis Dakar fs frame on closeout on Jenson.com, had a Manitou Air 3-way Swinger rear shock all for $399.00.
Built it into a 32X16 SS, put a Fox Talas 130 on it. I rode that ss EXCLUSIVELY for almost 2 years solid before I got my Ellsworth fs 29er. I loved it. Got to where I was cleaning a switchbacked climb in SD's Sycamore at a time when most riders were using gears and STILL had to take a break on the way up. Had a spare set of Spinergy Cyclone noodle-wheels that have yet to fail me 25 years into the game. It was an awesome ride, and at the time it made me feel like an absolutely fukkin' God of a rider.
It still lives in my garage, patiently waiting for a carbon riser and a 70mm stem. This might be the year I do it.
I'm 65 now, got my Medicare, using the bennies, life is good now!
Downhill or heavyset/clumsy rider? Get a doubledown casing of the same
At the time they sold a geared conversion, I only see small rigid and no conversion kit (was $150).
I say get a SS, if it does not work for you then sell it on again to another that will appreciate the bike.
Love my steel single speed. 26” wheels crappy fork and one brake. It’s terrifying at times but of so much fun.
Pretty much everyone in this comment section who has crashed in them so far confirms that, as opposed to recommendations from folks who have ridden in them but have not binned it just yet.
I love wearing them but the pad slid right out of the way last time I took a spill. I'm definitely replacing them with something that stays put (i.e. has straps).
I made my own FS SS from a Jamis Dakar 05 frame on sale from Jenson's w/ a 3-way Air Swinger and A Fox Talas 32 up front for a 130mm F/R ride. Had a Wolf Tooth chainring and a /Y.E.S.S. Research tensioner which was bitchin'. I rode that bike for better part of two solid years. Exclusively. By then I was cleaning switchbacked climbs on it that many guys on geared bikes could not clean w/out a break. I felt awesome on account of that bike. Still got it in the Garage.