I don't understand SS bikes

[Xiorell]

Single speed bikes. I do know of course, WHAT they are, I am just not sure of the why.


Not saying I think they are stupid or anything like that, I'm genuinley interested. I have been trying to figure out exactly why you might ride a single over a geared bike? I would have thought you're making harder work for yourself? Or maybe that's the point.... Are they faster or something?

I do see the low maintainence side of it however, that's a clear advantage to me, someone who is currently affraid of touching the mechs on his bike.

 

[edindave]

Saw a Shimano single speed sprocket for about £3.99 on CRC - compare that to a cassette... that might be one reason to use them as commute bikes... cheap to maintain!

 

[coco69]

Personally i think if you have a set route to travel with not many hills they are great,i had a specialized centrum and was fantastic even had double disc brakes as well lol

 

[HLaB]

Never had one my self (well not since my BMX as a kid and that was a wee bit different) but I get the impression they are more fun. I know sometimes its fun just to use my bike in one gear as I feel more connected to it, its hard to explain but it feels better in traffic (maybe more responsive and predictable).

 

[Bicycle]

I put together an fixed-gear road bike on an old steel frame 6 months ago out of idle curiosity.

The whole idea just seemed ludicrous.

1. It is a real hoot (and I imagine single-speed with free-wheel is similarly amusing).

2. I suppose any bicycle is harder than driving a car, so it's just a matter of 'how much harder'. Not a lot in most circumstances.

3. Once your fingers and thumbs have stoopped tapping away on imagined ergo shifters (does everyone do that at first?) it really does feel somehow liberating not to have any gears to think about. You pedal and you move.

4. I'm told that it improves technique and am inclined to believe it, although in my case there is much to improve.

5. I'm convinced it improves your ability to ride both above and below your normal cadence effectively. That may not seem significant, but a ride on a geared bike after months on fixed (single-speed) on routes I know well was very illuminating. Everything was so much easier and smoother.

6. (and this is what tempted me to put one together) although it seems barmy, if it really was barmy there wouldn't be so many riders doing it.

7. There's that whole 'harmony with the bike' thing, but I wonder about that. I feel about as much harmony with my fixed-gear as I do with my wife's shopping bike or my favourite saucepan.

I can't comment on the cost factor as mine was made of old bits and has done few miles, but logic suggests they are cheap to build and to maintain. Cost won't be the main reason for going that way, but it all helps.

The validity of this reply is slightly lessened by the fact that I ride fixed-gear and your question was about single-speed with free-wheel... but there are many similarities, so I may not be too far from the correct answer.

I hope this was helpful.

 

[corshamjim]

Don't worry. I don't understand SS bikes either.

 

[Benthedoon]

I got a single after my MTB commuter got stolen, I love it!! I got a flip flop hub so I could check out fixed (which is awesome but I found impracticle) the lack of moving parts makes it a lot easier to maintain especially through winter with salted roads, and it's fun.
The transition back to gears now the sun's here has been nice but I find myself longing for my all weather SS.
Try it, that's the only way to see and you never know you might like it.

 

[Flying Dodo]

A couple of years ago I switched from a triple to a compact and initially found I was struggling a bit on hills. The simple truth was that I'd been relying on the granny gear. After time, the hills got easier again.

With SS (or fixed) by being forced to ride in 1 gear, it means on hills, you're forced to carry on pushing (unless you admit defeat and start walking). Long term that will increase your strength. Then there's also the issue of simplicity, less weight and fewer components to wear out.

Certainly in London I can see the advantages of SS, although out in the countryside, I might question the sanity of fixed riders forcing themselves to pedal at 180 rpm going down steep hills. So I think sometimes with fixed riders, there's a bit of a macho element there, in not wanting to accept the use of a freewheel.

 

[asterix]

York is flat. c. 20 years ago I bought an old knackered Raleigh with 5-speed for commuting. I ditched the gear system, shortened the chain and just used one cog.

TBH I didn't find it did anything for my 'technique' although it may have made me fitter. After about 18 months I got an old 3 speed hub wheel because I'd had enough of battling the headwinds esp. across the racecourse.

Once I stuck the old 5 speed stuff back on and did a century ride on it.

There's no way I would ride a SS, far less a fixed, round here - it'd be sheer lunacy!

 

[Globalti]

I could understand it if you lived in the Fens or the Netherlands but up here in hilly Lancs it would be a nightmare; a typical ride is never flat unless we head out onto the Fylde. I think single speed is cycling's equivalent to vegetarianism.

 

[vernon]

I think single speed is cycling's equivalent to vegetarianism.

And fixed speed user are the cycling world's vegans.

 

[vorsprung]

There are two advantages to single speed bikes

Firstly, they are cheap to maintain and easy to clean and keep in working order. This is because they have less to go wrong and are simpler

Secondly, there is one less thing to think about when riding ( no gear changing ) so they are more relaxing. Sounds odd but it seems to be the case

The reason I don't have a single speed now is that I wanted to commute to work 100% of the year. So I needed a new bike that would have clearance for ice tyres. And I figured that those odd days when I felt under powered I'd be ok on a geared bike whereas on a single speed I'd be tempted to take the car. This years commuter bike has Alfine gears and is not single speed

 

[skudupnorth]

They are ACE ! Love mine and would never not have one.Gears are fine but as already said before you are always having to fettle them when all you have to do with a fixed is clean the chain and wipe the rings down.The fact that you can control the bike speed with putting pressure on the pedals gives me a feeling of more control in traffic aswell.
I use mine for long rides too,when we did the forum ride from Whalley to Blackpool and beyond i never felt any worse off than riding a geared bike (i completed over 140 miles that day ! )
Try it,you will never look back.

 

[Jezston]

Much cheaper, much lighter, much lower maintanance, more efficient drivetrain, more elegant looks.

If you live somewhere not so hilly it's a no brainer.

My commute has a little bit of hills, so I've got a 3-speed hub gear. I ride it like a single speed but with the ability to drop the gearing a touch if I'm struggling and push it up a bit if I'm spinning.

 

[fossyant]

SS pointless - just go fixed.

They go up hills surprisingly well.