what is the attraction of single speed?

[Xesh]

Still not convinced. I have a fixed road bike which gets used every now and then. I would say ten miles is about the same as twenty with gears, but.....
Would you buy a Landrover and try to drive it everywhere in third gear?

A fixed wheel bike is harder to ride than a SS freewheel bike. I know because my Bowery came with both fixed and free gears. The fixed wheel was much more tiring to ride but that may be because I wasn't used to it.

I didn't know that you could make a Landrover into a SS! :shock:

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

The weirdest thing about fixed is when you come to a corner. Years of experience has you brain telling your legs to have the inside foot at the top of the pedal stroke and coast around. Next thing you know you are on your @rse dodging traffic like a demented Frogger.

 

[neebsta]

Single speed = removal of complication

Much more fun

 

[stevek]

Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to ride our bikes in the mountains on a regular basis. Trips to Wales, Lakes and the Peaks for me at any rate only happen now and then but I imagine most of us are mainly XC riders most of the time - and that's ok for us single speeders. Gears are fine for the mountains (allthough a mate of mine did take his ss to the Peak district!) and single speed is fine for XC.

 

[scant]

Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to ride our bikes in the mountains on a regular basis. Trips to Wales, Lakes and the Peaks for me at any rate only happen now and then but I imagine most of us are mainly XC riders most of the time - and that's ok for us single speeders. Gears are fine for the mountains (allthough a mate of mine did take his ss to the Peak district!) and single speed is fine for XC.

ditto this pretty much. although there are riders strong enuff to ride s.spd in the mountains, s.spd is massively terrain specific. theres a quote from sylvain about not wanting to s.spd in scotland again... & hes past UK s.spd champ

I've tried it. i didnt mind the mega pain on the steeper climbs as i've always been kinda twisted like that :roll: being totally undergeared on the flats & any decent gradient DH is why I personally ride geared.

 

[cchris2lou]

Sylvain is a bad example as he is probably faster on a ss on any mountains than most of us on a geared bike .

 

[Kona Paul]

I have to agree with all the aformentioned positive points, being a fairly recent convert. After my first ride I came back with the biggest S##t eating grin on my face, like it was my first time playing off road on a bike again. I was also totally fresh and ready for more. No shifting, and flying past most of the others (minus my friend on a SS and the Danish xc champ who rides geared but is FAST) on my little 8.6 kg ti SS. I have the best time riding it to work too. Wind or hills are no problem. So I guess the simplicity and weight advantage compensate on climbs. I didn't expect that either, but the first hill I tried was a piece of cake (I love cake.)

Granted there are limitations, but if a hill is steep or technical enough, many geared bikes don't make it either, and then my SS is easier to push

Final bonus point on hills...no chain suck.

You have to try it a few times, and once you learn to pedal evenly and smoothly, you get addicted.

 

[rienster]

I love the way they look. Very clean at the back, and light I imagine.
Still, I can't help but wondering wether climbing isn't a lot like being on your normal bike and missing the granny ring. Remember some rides in the ardennes with gear trouble. Ouch, the pain.
Would love to have one in the city for going to work though.

 

[Kona Paul]

Nej, ikke helt. Det troede jeg også i starten, men man savner ikke en granny ring så meget, nok på grund af vægten. Hvis du taber 3 kg på din cykel, så behøver du ikke en granny nær så meget

 

[radjatoe]

...ey...skoll??

:roll:

Paul, ik snap er geen zak van en ik denk de andere ook niet...