Single speed vs multi speed

[Clownshoes]

How do they compare in the speed stakes (single vs. geared)?.......I'd be willing to lose a few km/h on average, but not much. My commutes are fairly flat (inner Melbourne) so my gear ratio would reflect this.

There is more pedaling efficiency per stroke on a SS so if you are reasonably strong in the legs and riding on flat terrain you will find there is no real differnce with the right ratios. You can accelerate a bit snappier and the extra weight loss from the lack of drivetrain makes this easier also. I raced/rode geared bikes all my life and made the switch to SS a few years back for something different but I'm totally converted now. I can now keep up with my geared XC mates on a SS MTB....probably due to an increase in fitness from not relying on gears.

It also makes one focus a bit more on pedaling rhythm and leg strength, which wont hurt your speed at all

[Quinns Rocks Roadie]

I swore I would NEVER wear lycra, but padded undershorts are looking soooo tempting!

I wear them under a pair of Billabong black board shorts - works for me.

Eric.

[Victor-Victor]

For me it is simple.

SS bike there is very little to steal, looks basic and easy to lock up in public.

Short rides its SS, long rides with hills Multispeed.

[MiG]

Makes me feel like a winner when I power away from the lights and I can really smash it without worrying about the chain skipping.

I've been logging my commutes and my highest average speed in the morning is still on the fixed gear with aerobars, despite having done many rides on a purpose built time trial bike (no idea why, since my TTs on velodrome are faster on the Merlin TT).

Can take bike onto corrosive dusty lake bed for a week and not care. Ditto for riding through flooding.

Feels good.

[Mugglechops]

I went SS MTB after breaking 3 hangars and one rear mech in a 12 hr MTB race.

I then found it was perfect for my ride to work. I still had geared bikes, except for about 12 months when I had a SS 29er and my fixie/ss roadie.

Now I just have the fixie/ss that I have gone back to fixed on. I like riding fixed because if I do a 30km ride I know I actually worked for the whole 30kms.

[stefanbj]

single speed ftw

[oldschoolfool]

I went SS MTB after breaking 3 hangars and one rear mech in a 12 hr MTB race.

I then found it was perfect for my ride to work. I still had geared bikes, except for about 12 months when I had a SS 29er and my fixie/ss roadie.

Now I just have the fixie/ss that I have gone back to fixed on. I like riding fixed because if I do a 30km ride I know I actually worked for the whole 30kms.

That's the point. No coasting on a fixie!

[Mugglechops]

I went SS MTB after breaking 3 hangars and one rear mech in a 12 hr MTB race.

I then found it was perfect for my ride to work. I still had geared bikes, except for about 12 months when I had a SS 29er and my fixie/ss roadie.

Now I just have the fixie/ss that I have gone back to fixed on. I like riding fixed because if I do a 30km ride I know I actually worked for the whole 30kms.

That's the point. No coasting on a fixie!

I know, riding home from work downhill is actually harder than riding to work. Geared it up from 65inch to 78inch and took it for a quick ride last night.

I don't think I will be riding it work anymore. Should make my 20km flat loop a bit quicker than 50minutes now.