Coaster brake on Single Speed?

[Evetsllub]

With a likely move coming up which will allow a relatively flat commute I’m thinking about possibly building some sort of single speed contraption. Not really that interested in a fixie, I see the negatives outweighing the positives with a commute, so a single speed it will be. I have an old Cruiser that is my beach bike. It’s got a Coaster brake, which I absolutely love, and would probably avoid the need for brakes on the bike (maybe a front brake… had a couple of hairy situations where I have dropped the chain). My question is would something similar work on a road bike? Firstly can you get a coaster hub that will fit in a road wheel? Secondly, will I get spat at by the fixie/ss crew for having a coaster bike? Like to know any thoughts and if anyone has done something similar.

[familyguy]

Some previous discussions here and here.

Viable? Sure. If its flat, and it fits your purpose, its a good idea.

Jim

[rkelsen]

Who cares what anyones else thinks? Do what you want and be happy.

27" wheels with coaster brake hubs come up now and again on ebay. Never seen one available in an off-the-shelf 700c sized wheel, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

[Evetsllub]

Thanks guys. Looks like I'm not the first to think of it.

Question. How is a regular Single Speed or Fixie more viable if the ride is hilly than a coaster hub? The way the responses are written it seems that way. I would think a Coaster would act exactly the same as a SS, with a pedal brake.

[rkelsen]

It's more to do with stopping.

Coaster brakes can overheat on long downhill runs. When this happens, the effect is similar to overheated disc brakes in a car... no stopping power at all, unlike rim brakes which might squeal a bit but still work.

[Zynster]

I once had a coaster brake fail at the bottom of a steep hill. It briefly turned the bike into a fixie, and at the speed I was travelling this was not a good thing. The pedals bucked and I was launched into the sky. I still have the scars some 35 years later.

[Evetsllub]

Ok, that makes sense then. I'll go the emergency front brake in case of failure.

[rkelsen]

Sounds like a plan, Stan!

[brauluver]

Plenty of inspiration here http://velospace.org/viewcluster?c=315

[hartleymartin]

I had a real surprise when I saw a bicycle with chopped+flipped bars, and a single front brake with a rear coaster! I had initially expected it to be a fixie. So, there are people out there using them, even with the hills around Macquarie University.

I tried out a bicycle with the Shimano Inter-3 hub and the coaster brake on that was surprisingly powerful. Modern ones are much better than I ever remember my BMX's brakes to have been.

Another option is the 2-speed kick-back hub. Direct Drive and a +37% high-gear with no shifters or cables to worry about.

[Evetsllub]

Thanks for all the advice guys... now the tough part. Convincing the +1 i really do need a 4th bike!!

[hartleymartin]

Get lots of bikes and spare parts. It's easier to sneak in new ones that way. Then you can proudly announce when you are selling one or giving one away that you're reducing the size of your collection. (I hope my mother doesn't read this!)

[two_hands]

I've seen a few 27" coaster braked wheels on ebay recently

[BLU_FZ!]

Velo Mine do Sun 27s with coaster brake and i think they also do 700c

Glenn