Single Speed.... convince me please

[stevek]

And don't forget... it's a reason to own another bike.

 

[Pickle]

I don't think I'll ever be fully convinced, I like my 24 speeds too much

 

[Elev12k]

clean looks: I can think of SS bikes that look crap and geared bikes that look ace.

reliable: Well, DX runs well too. No hassle with assymetric hubs, bbs or finding the right ring combinations. A pulley is of course an inferior solution.

The SS propaganda is quite nerdy. The liquer flasks, bottle openers.. so not cool. Maybe 1st time I saw it, but that is lightyears ago. I even develop a kind uncomfortable feel towards Brooks seats :shock:

 

[doctor-bond]

The bike should be built to fit requirements.

Single speed: light, fast, simple, responsive, urban, efficient, not good at hills, sweaty.

Multi speed: flexible, good at hills, heavier, go anywhere, cluttered, complex, comfy.

On the flat[ish]? doing the same route over and over? want to be a supercool rapha hero? Singlespeed.

And single speed or multi, my rump suggests that a ti-railed slimcia saddle is a top choice on/off road up to about 15 miles; if you regularly sit down on a road for more than that, then those fine people at brooks should be consulted.

 

[cchris2lou]

Just try it .

it is fun and different .

 

[purplewicked]

clean looks: I can think of SS bikes that look crap and geared bikes that look ace.

reliable: Well, DX runs well too. No hassle with assymetric hubs, bbs or finding the right ring combinations. A pulley is of course an inferior solution.

The SS propaganda is quite nerdy. The liquer flasks, bottle openers.. so not cool. Maybe 1st time I saw it, but that is lightyears ago. I even develop a kind uncomfortable feel towards Brooks seats :shock:

i have gears and SS. w/ SS you develop a lot of strength... it can make you faster.
other than that the bashing of gears from SSers is pretty retarded. my xt and xtr stuff works. i have no need to take them off.

 

[orange71]

I'm a recent advocate of SS but I've been thinking about this fitness thing. I'm not convinced you will get fitter on SS. With gears I find I can push myself hard *all* the time including on the flat, whereas I can only do it on hills on SS...

 

[Frank West]

I happened to be behind a guy on a sweet-looking powder blue ON-ONE ss with very skinny tires the other day and.. Well, he was pedalling like a maniac and constantly out of his seat while I cruised along comfortably on my junkheap 24-speed, knobblies and all.

What's the point of back-shattering skinny tires and no suspension if your bike physically cannot exceed 12mph?

EDIT: sweet looking bike though. The tires were faded red, it looked like the old Gulf Oil GT40 color scheme.

 

[al]

This is becoming a bit of a strange debate.

Some seem to be saying that more gears and more modern technology is the way forward!

I think i may be in the wrong forum or am i missing something?

My view for what its worth is if it works for you, Do it!


There have been hundreds of bikes and products that have made no sense to me. But i defend anyone who enjoys using them. SS bicycles make so much sense in lots of ways, not least the fact that anyone can build and maintain a usable machine for almost no dollar!

Cheers,Al

 

[Harryburgundy]

I happened to be behind a guy on a sweet-looking powder blue ON-ONE ss with very skinny tires the other day and.. Well, he was pedalling like a maniac and constantly out of his seat while I cruised along comfortably on my junkheap 24-speed, knobblies and all.

What's the point of back-shattering skinny tires and no suspension if your bike physically cannot exceed 12mph?

EDIT: sweet looking bike though. The tires were faded red, it looked like the old Gulf Oil GT40 color scheme.

Well that was probably his purely off-road ratio on the road holding him up.
Thing is...on a SS, you pretty much have to do something pedaling-wise all the time, unless you are going down a hill, you don't have the luxury of simply sticking it in a kinda overdrive ratio and 'cruise' at a good speed.
My regular commute home is 50/50 flat and fairly long climbs...and I have found no time difference getting home...I just have to work a bit harder.
I think it is getting me fitter....and for me, its way more fun. HB