Single Speed

For years my race bike from college has been hanging in the garage. I didn’t want to sell it—it’s a limited edition ’96 Schwinn Homegrown with the Control Tech rear triangle—but the parts had worn out and I was riding for other manufacturers. So I decided it was time to build it into a single speed for training.

Thanks to Stan www.notubes.com and DeeJay and the boys at Arizona Cyclist for the advice and for building me up a sweet set of wheels—ENO hubs, Stan’s tubeless hoops, and beautiful work. Add to that some parts I had in the garage including the original White Industries crankset and bottom bracket and a Rock Shox Duke that was hanging for about 5 years. I took a set of Michelin XCR Dry2s I had hanging around, some Crank Brothers pedals, and a Fizik saddle. Oh, and the brakes from ’96 are on their last legs…new ones are on order. A new fork would be good, but it’s a beater.

I took it out this week to cruise on Fantasy Island. I’ve never ridden a single speed, and constantly found my thumb reaching for the shifters, but I had a blast. It was fun to cruise on a lightweight bike, not having to worry about shifting. Just ride. That’s what it’s all about. Sweet.