Singlespeeds. I just don't get it!

[brocklanders023]

They just feel like big bmx's to me and I have no interest in having one. Saying that, my mate has a ss 29er that he loves and rides all the time on the same trails that he used to ride his full suss on.

 

[kingdano1980]

riding them is a more natural feel than gears

In what way dude?

Apart from the lack of maintenance needed and their pure simplicity, its a more effective pedaling style, which translates into greater efficiency and power. Freewheeling is a bit like driving a car in clutch, you have no control other than the brakes.


Of course there are hills in London, but with the very rare exception, no steep climbs which would warrant a need to change gears. I moved from deepest Dorset 5 years ago to the smoke, in my opinion, London zones 1-5 are pretty 'flat', but this is more down to your interpretation of a 'hill' i guess

 

[highlandsflyer]

I am planning on SSing something, and it is looking likely to be the Clockwork I acquired recently.

The bike will be used for the pub and the supermarket, and dragging the dogs around so it will be low gearing.

I am such a fashion whore.

So sue me!

 

[highlandsflyer]

OK you are talking about fixies rather than all SSs

I am from the Highlands of Scotland, we don't really do hills, mainly mountains!

Just kidding, my favourite riding is cross country, never been a downhill fan.

I have lived in London on and off 25 years, and I have cycled every inch of it, I used to commute from Streatham to Hornsey daily on a 60s racer. There are plenty gradients that would require gear changes to maintain the best cadence. Central is generally flat enough to get away with a SS, but I just don't see the point of a fixie, no sir I don't.

Brakes are just fine for control, and if you want you can gear up and pedal too, but a fixie on a steep descent is a total liability.

Each to their own though, I will report back on how I get on with a SS after 27 years away from my BMX...

The bling aspect applies to all bikes, but the SS style vultures appear to devote a lot of effort rendering their rigs appealing to magpies.

 

[chiswickcollectables]

They all dress so bloody trendy.. SS riders that is. They make me feel insecure when they're jetting around with their dispatch bags and urbanproof laptop carriers... I don't feel like part of the gang when I'm on my MTB!

I think I'm gonna start throwing stones at them!!

 

[kingdano1980]

OK you are talking about fixies rather than all SSs

I am from the Highlands of Scotland, we don't really do hills, mainly mountains!

Just kidding, my favourite riding is cross country, never been a downhill fan.

I have lived in London on and off 25 years, and I have cycled every inch of it, I used to commute from Streatham to Hornsey daily on a 60s racer. There are plenty gradients that would require gear changes to maintain the best cadence. Central is generally flat enough to get away with a SS, but I just don't see the point of a fixie, no sir I don't.

Brakes are just fine for control, and if you want you can gear up and pedal too, but a fixie on a steep descent is a total liability.

Each to their own though, I will report back on how I get on with a SS after 27 years away from my BMX...

The bling aspect applies to all bikes, but the SS style vultures appear to devote a lot of effort rendering their rigs appealing to magpies.

yes. They are more a fashion accesory rather than seen as more efficient than normal bikes. All the riders have skinny jeans rolled up just above their ankles and wear black and white strpey jumpers, they really are an odd sight at times.

 

[MikeD]

translates into greater efficiency

Um, not really. It promotes a smooth pedalling style because you can't stop pedalling. But it's in no way more efficient, except in the sense that a fixed drivetrain is slightly more mechanically efficient that one with freewheels and derailleurs in it. While it's perfectly possible to pedal at a huge range of speeds, the human body works best in a fairly narrow cadence window - pedal too slow and your muscles fatigue, pedal too fast and your cardiovascular wotsits can't keep up. You need gears to stay in that window as the terrain varies.

 

[Andy R]

Singlespeeds are crap, there's no doubt about it. Don't look at one, let alone think about riding one - they're the devil's work.

 

[highlandsflyer]

Lol, why not get off that fence?

 

[kingdano1980]

translates into greater efficiency

Um, not really. It promotes a smooth pedalling style because you can't stop pedalling. But it's in no way more efficient, except in the sense that a fixed drivetrain is slightly more mechanically efficient that one with freewheels and derailleurs in it. While it's perfectly possible to pedal at a huge range of speeds, the human body works best in a fairly narrow cadence window - pedal too slow and your muscles fatigue, pedal too fast and your cardiovascular wotsits can't keep up. You need gears to stay in that window as the terrain varies.

which is why track cyclists are incredibly unfit?