Crank It Cycles

With the onset of winter and mud, a trend overseas, which is also taking hold in NZ, is to ride single speed. Anzac weekend saw the 2^nd NZ Single Speed Champs in Rotorua. Continuing on from the inaugural Champs last year, the event was a lot of fun, with a social atmosphere reminiscent of early Mt Bike racing in NZ and tactics to prevent anyone from taking it all too seriously. There are photos and results at http://www.nzsinglespeeds.com. If that is not enough incentive to consider trying single speeding, read on.

Single speed bikes offer simplicity and low maintenance, which go a long way towards keeping winter riding costs down and saving your prized bike for when the trails are easier on all those higher maintenance items like chains and gears. Why wear out suspension pivots on muddy but less technically demanding winter rides?

Single Speed riding might at first seem like a pastime for masochists. It is however a quiet and relaxing experience. There is no chain slap. In a world full of stress and decisions it is relaxing to just get on the bike and ride. There are some advantages which translate to the saner world of geared riding. It reinforces the following good riding habits:

• Smooth spinning of the cranks
• Conserving momentum through rolling terrain
• Attacking short rises instead of slowing down and changing down gears
• Choosing good lines

There is a selection of all of the above at Crank It Cycles. Once converted, riders experiment with ratios to find the ideal gearing for the riding they do. We carry a range of sprockets to suit 26 and 29 inch applications.

A lightweight, purpose built bike can be bought off the shelf, for example the Gary Fisher Rig 29er at around $2500. Weighing in at 11.5kg and resplendent in Root Beer, it's ready to race the Single Speed Champs. Come in and check it out.