Building Dirt Jump Bike(Single Speed or Not?)

organizedrage · 04-19-2007, 09:13 PM

Well I am thinking of building up a dirt jumping bike but I don't know weather or not to go with a single speed set up or multi gear.

max123 · 04-19-2007, 09:48 PM

it all depends my friend

reignrider · 04-20-2007, 02:05 AM

If it's only a straight DJ bike, go SS. But if you want to do urban, DJ, and light trail riding, go for geared. Cause if you're serious about only doing DJ, then there are less parts to break when you go big if you make it SS. Also, do you have vertivcal or horizontal dropouts, vertical makes it easier for SS cause you can just change gears/chain length, whereas horizontal you'll need some type of chain tensioner mounting to where your der. would usually go.

Chase91 · 04-20-2007, 08:39 AM

what frame do you plan on using? if its horizantal dropouts thats nice for SS. also dont go SS unless u ONLY play on DJing on it... if u ever do any trails goin down u wont be able to pedal at all kause ur goin to fast and the gearing is too light. i love SS for just DJ and street. if u plan on riding trails and racing gears is a good idea. some races(sea otter) require that you have speeds in the back and front and rear brakes. but if u only wanna DJ on it the sickest set up is a small frame just a rear brake no speeds. have fun!

Sirbikesalot · 04-23-2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chase91

some races(sea otter) require that you have speeds in the back and front and rear brakes

I would dare say that ALL races require gears and a front and rear brake. Of course its do-able with SS and rear brake only but not at a competitive level.

quietriot447 · 05-02-2007, 06:02 PM

or you could have both. i will most likely have a kona cowan for sale very soon and it has removable dropouts one with a derailluer hangar and one meant for single speed. you can slide both about 3/4 inch back and forth. if your interested email me at t.squire @ gmail.com

MTBTHIS · 05-02-2007, 06:57 PM

...the polls are tied.... if your going staright DJ/Urban, go SS...

will54869 · 01-25-2008, 03:46 PM

You can have both, put a chain tensioner in the back with a single speed and a two speed with a wicked racing dualchainguide or an e13 dual ring on the front.

East Bay Rich · 01-25-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will54869

You can have both, put a chain tensioner in the back with a single speed and a two speed with a wicked racing dualchainguide or an e13 dual ring on the front.

I've also seen old school designs where there's two rings up front, two in the rear. You have to manually change gears by loosening the rear axel and adjusting the chain, but at least you have an option.

Nemesis Gnat · 01-27-2008, 10:55 PM

a good point was made about racing... i you ever ever ever plan to race the bike at anything mroe than a local venue, youll need 2 brakes and atleast 5 (i think) shiftable forward gears and 26inch wheels.

and ive never ever come close to breaking a derailleur djing, and if you run old road components, it as light if not lighter than a tensioner set up... and cheaper

plus its a mountain bike, youre supposed to have gears...

Nemesis Gnat · 01-27-2008, 10:58 PM

o and what the canfields do on their ss dh bikes sometimes is run 2 front rings and a rear ring... they have a starting ring thats smaller (lower gearing) in front, and when they get up to speed, they back pedal... the extra slack in the chain drops it off of the smaller ring and the chain falls into a chain guide for the big ring, then theyre at a higher gearing...

its still not legal technically though, but theyre famousish...

eureka · 01-28-2008, 08:37 AM

all i ride is street and dj now, and i would go with a single speed hands down. What they all say about racing is correct, but if you aren't racing you should just go single speed. You can ride trails just fine, and a derailleur makes for a lot less maintenance and stuff to break. Tasso has also not broken any derailleurs jumping, because he doesn't dirt jump or ride street hardly at all.

If you are lucky and have horizontal dropouts then you'll be fine with single speed. Otherwise go with a Renon Tensioner. It bolts on to you axle and derailleur hanger and is uber strong. Any spring loaded tensioner is crap (ex. Singulator)

I am building up a DJ and street bike right now as well, and I'm converting from gears to SS. trust me its the way to go.

But then again everything everyone has said about racing is extremely accurate.

Nemesis Gnat · 01-29-2008, 12:02 AM

i do toooo:12:

no but really, unless youre kicking it or throwing rocks at it, how will a derailleur break djing?

eureka · 01-29-2008, 12:21 AM

Tailwhips, or general bailing in general can mess up your derailleur. id say getting rid of the derailleur is more of a precaution for street then DJ however. Ive broken tons of derailleurs by getting them caught on a ledge or or a rail or all sorts of ****. If you aren't using gears for anything (racing, XC, excessive trail riding, etc.), then there isn't really a reason to keep them around. more maintenance and weight.

Nemesis Gnat · 01-29-2008, 10:57 AM

ill go along with the urban thing...

i guess this guys main question is whether or not he wants to racethen eh?

well, do ya?