New to the world of singlespeed mountain biking, I admit my novice – and avid interest – in the various technology associated.  New geometry specs, all kinds of pretty machined dropouts, tensioners, and crankarms.  Out of the box, my Kona Unit (rigid 29er) needed little to be changed other than a shorter stem (came with 120mm swapped for 90) and a WTB devo saddle to be adequately comfortable.  I made some other mechanical changes, which look addressed in the 2011 model – but those don’t affect comfort.

In my astute research on group singlespeed rides, I noticed singlespeed veterans all had Ergon grips on their bars, and I was thinking – didn’t they get the memo that bar ends are SO yesterday?? But, as I watched these riders drop me on the climbs, as they all eventually did, I realized they were using them differently, even standing up to torque power out of the barends to leverage up the hill. So, I bought a pair. Instantly, my comfort level on the bike notched up a spot, and so did my power. I consider that it would not be as effective on a full-suspension bike, nor a geared bike that one could spin on; but I like it like this.

On a later date, I hope to disclose an algorithm that helps riders find the single speed gear ratio best suited to their body, fitness, and terrain.  Stay tuned for that one, it might be a big flop.