Single speed vs multi speed

[peter]

Any particular reason you want to ride a single speed over multi speed? Is it just the cool factor or is there a real benefit?

[ktyse]

It is more of a accomplishment to triumph by your legs muscle than by the artifice of a derailer.

The simplicity.

[Uncle Grumpy]

I have 2 single speed MTBs. I set them up because I liked having a low maintenance, simple bike for use in crap weather. They have been getting a lot of use lately.

I have a road single speed (not fixed) because I like my MTB single speeds so much. Though I don't ride the road SS in the rain - go figure.

Cut all the crap about connectedness and that waffle, it's just fun to keep up with my mates on geared bikes and think "hey wow, this isn't really an impediment". The downside is nailing a climb in that one gear (2x1 ratio on the MTB) and then finding myself wussing out in a 1:1 or less on the geared bike.

Grumps

[brauluver]

Riding fixed brakeless on a $hitter conversion (AT) 63 gear inches because it's heaaaaps of fun.
Learning to skid is awesome.
Also commute on a geared roadie as well as have a weekend roadie.
It's more about the fun angle and the challenge of only one gear and no slacking off for me.

My return to cycling a few years back was on single speed (71 Gi) and it helped me to attack hills rather than crawl up them.Something that has made me a better climber on geared,and turned me into a spinner.

[rustychisel]

You silly sausage, it's got very little to do with the bicycle and mostly to do with the fact that you're a good fit rider.

Skinny too, but

[peter]

It is more of a accomplishment to triumph by your legs muscle than by the artifice of a derailer.

Ok, derailleurs are not as lame as electric motors.

[rustychisel]

It is more of a accomplishment to triumph by your legs muscle than by the artifice of a derailer.

You are Henri Desgrange and I claim my 25 francs

[backofthebunch]

less to go wrong!

looks clean

i think its good for fitness too

[PeteV]

I ride single speed to help with fitness, keep my cadence between 80 and 110, forces me to use my legs more and keep the cardio up. My commmute is generally flat but the slight inclines really get the legs and heart pumping. My gearing is 44/18, probably too spinny for some but perfect for me.

[sogood]

Single speed includes those riding on fixed as well as freewheel. Fixie riders are quite particular on this distinction.

[ruscook]

I'm not a great climber (quite shite actually).. but I like the single speed because it makes me work harder for the same distance... I'm running a 48/17 (or about 76gear inches). I can cruise at 32-35 on the flats and hit 50 on the short but assisted downhills... I do about 10bpm higher heart rate on the ss than the road bike for the close to the same average time on the same route - so I guess it's making me work harder and hopefully improve.

I also like less maintenance, less to go wrong, don't mind it getting dirty etc...

Russ

[Mulger bill]

Rule 1=Have fun.
Rule 2=Ride what you like.

[brauluver]

You silly sausage, it's got very little to do with the bicycle and mostly to do with the fact that you're a good fit rider.

Skinny too, but

I know....the wife calls me the stick man when I'm in me lycra.

[rustychisel]

If I went back and searched through the forum, d'you suppose I'd find a post from Braulover saying "erk, you'll never catch me wearing that lycra stuff"?

[ruscook]

Rule 1=Have fun.
Rule 2=Ride what you like.

Rule 3= See rule 1
Nicely put Shaun.

[drubie]

Rule 1=Have fun.
Rule 2=Ride what you like.

Rule 3= See rule 1
Nicely put Shaun.

Rule 0=Ride.

[brauluver]

If I went back and searched through the forum, d'you suppose I'd find a post from Braulover saying "erk, you'll never catch me wearing that lycra stuff"?

True....But coming out has been a revelation for me

[.isaac.]

You ride fixed cos' it's an excuse to have another bike.

[PeteV]

If I went back and searched through the forum, d'you suppose I'd find a post from Braulover saying "erk, you'll never catch me wearing that lycra stuff"?

True....But coming out has been a revelation for me

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

[rustychisel]

Never say never; embrace the new you. There's a reason lycra has been developed and adopted as the gold standard for cycling wear. The advances in clothing and footware over the last 30 years have been as phenomenal as bike technology. Only the dull or the ignorant will mock you.

[MartyPans]

Never say never; embrace the new you. There's a reason lycra has been developed and adopted as the gold standard for cycling wear. The advances in clothing and footware over the last 30 years have been as phenomenal as bike technology. Only the dull or the ignorant will mock you.

The new you is the OLD you.

[aaron]

Purely maintenance!!!!

[adaml]

How do they compare in the speed stakes (single vs. geared)? I'll be looking to replace my commuter in a few months and while the reduced maintenence and hopefully cheaper price of a single speed are tempting, along the idea that it might improve my riding, the fact is that I'm a speed merchant and like to get everywhere fast. Indeed my main frustration with my current slick MTB is that it is a bit on the slow and heavy side.

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.

[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.