Is an SS a perfect beginner commuter?

[rosco]

I commute 4 miles to work each day always toted with the idea of a ss but put off by the big hill I need to climb. Shame tho as I reckon it would be a cracking fitness tool. Maybe one day...........

 

[ColinJ]

I have to say I think SS bikes are a bit of a specialism. Why wouldn't you want gears to get you going quicker (instead of wobbling off very slowly from traffic lights),
make hills or wind easier, just a more flexible bike.
Cheers

Well a SS bike should be cheaper, lighter, quieter and more reliable than a geared bike costing the same amount of money. You also have a perfect chainline and no added friction from jockey wheels. It's surprising how much more efficient the simple transmission feels. (Yes, I'm sure it is probably only a percent or two but it sure feels good!)

The lack of a perfect gear for different conditions is the big disadvantage of course, but unless you have significant hills or winds to contend with, the main problem is that standing start. Even that is only really a problem when you want to leap out into a small gap in fast-moving traffic. I find that I can often slow down a little before a roundabout rather than stopping completely and that helps.  

 

[Fab Foodie]

I agree that S/S is perfect for commuting as you describe. In fact more people should start cycling on a S/S before they're allowed gears.
Once you've got the hang of it, changing to a fixed sprocket is even better!

Go for it!

 

[jimboalee]

A Singlespeed is the perfect bike to commute...... to nursery school. Your mum will push it home.

 

[TheDoctor]

Ever the voice of reason, Jimbo...
I'd certainly get a SS, if I didn't already have one.
If I was doing a short, flat commute (as the OP is) and if I fancied one (as the OP does) then it'd be perfect.

 

[ColinJ]

I'd certainly get a SS, if I didn't already have one.
If I was doing a short, flat commute (as the OP is) and if I fancied one (as the OP does) then it'd be perfect.

Or even a slightly longer and not completely flat route! I keep my SS bike at my sister's house in Coventry and do a 12 mile loop to visit our mother every day on my family visits. I take the scenic route via Corley Moor so the first half of the ride has a fair amount of uphill grinding and the second half is maximum cadence pedalling or head down freewheeling.

Here's the profile:

The SS bike is pretty good for that. Sure, I'd be quicker on a geared bike but I enjoy the rides and that's all that matters.

 

[Benthedoon]

I too am seriously considering a single/fixie but don't want to spend a fortune, after a quick ebay search I found a few straight bar ss bikes with flip flop hub at £199.
They look fine as a starter, if I like it I'll spend some proper money on a better one.
Cheap solid single or fixed, perfect.
-Black & Red 54cm Pista Fixie Track / Road Bike- as a search should work then go to his shop there's many sizes and colours.

 

[TheDoctor]

Ben - that's a Create bike, and they are purest pants. Utter sh1te.
Actually, they're not that good. I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.
The usual shills will be along in a second to say how great they are, but ignore them.
Edinburgh Bicycles (amongst others) have far, far better ones.

 

[jimboalee]

Ever the voice of reason, Jimbo...
I'd certainly get a SS, if I didn't already have one.
If I was doing a short, flat commute (as the OP is) and if I fancied one (as the OP does) then it'd be perfect.

I rode a SS for years in the sixties and seventies. Most of them were youth's 24" wheel bikes with MotoX handlebars.

When I started work, I built a fixie from an old somethingorother to ride 8 miles each day from central Solihull to Lucas Shaftmore Lane. There's a 6% on that ride and it was no prob on a 44 x 18, 64" gear. I can remember putting an 18 tooth single freewheel and a front brake on the bike when a 16 mile per day ride loomed to Lucas Gt King St.

A bit of advice. Install a gear which will enable you to get across junctions quick. You will have to accept your top speed will be stunted, unless you can really spin.
Find out where YOUR natural cadence is and match it with 15 mph. For example, a 42 x 18 will give you 61", which is 82 rpm at 15 mph, and is low enough to get a flying getaway.

 

[TheDoctor]

Oddly enough, that's near-as-dammit identical to my SS gearing - 39 x 18 for about 60 inches.

 

[geekinaseat]

Yeah I think I am convinced that it's a good idea for my situation. I too noticed Create bikes but dismissed them mainly based on the owners actions on forums like these... any product that requires false reviews to sell is one to stay away from in my opinion!

Benthedoon - Hopefully I'm not crossing the borders into the bikes section but wiggle have a sale on at the moment, you can pick up a charge plug freestyle (amongst others) for £350 which seems to me like a good starter, probably what I'm gonna go for once I get paid

 

[jimboalee]

Oddly enough, that's near-as-dammit identical to my SS gearing - 39 x 18 for about 60 inches.

Oddly enough, some old crocks use that theory to decide gear No. 3 on a Sturmey 3 speed. Then the vast majority of the time the bike's in top, and No. 1 gear is low enough for a 12% hill.

I use a different method where No. 2 gear represents my 'Penny farthing' size.

 

[hairyfrog]

Well a SS bike should be cheaper, lighter, quieter and more reliable than a geared bike costing the same amount of money. You also have a perfect chainline and no added friction from jockey wheels. It's surprising how much more efficient the simple transmission feels. (Yes, I'm sure it is probably only a percent or two but it sure feels good!)

The lack of a perfect gear for different conditions is the big disadvantage of course, but unless you have significant hills or winds to contend with, the main problem is that standing start. Even that is only really a problem when you want to leap out into a small gap in fast-moving traffic. I find that I can often slow down a little before a roundabout rather than stopping completely and that helps.  

Cheaper yes, not much in the weight or reliability department but much less efficient for a day to day bike. Just don't see why you would want to punish yourselves with having no gears

 

[Fab Foodie]

Cheaper yes, not much in the weight or reliability department but much less efficient for a day to day bike. Just don't see why you would want to punish yourselves with having no gears

Because having only one gear make you a more flexible and adaptable cyclist. It improves pedalling technique and effectiveness, builds faster cadences and more hill climbing power.
As kids we went qanywhere we wanted on gas-pipe single speed bikes, and we lived in Devon where it seems nowhere's flat mor more than half a mile.
In these days of multi-geared wonders people have forgotten the simple art of pedalling.
It's really no punishment, often like fixed, it's often more pleasurable.

BTW, cheap flat bar S/S available from Decathlon for £70. What more do you want?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/vitamin-117071608/

 

[Alembicbassman]

If you want the low maintenance of a SS but the usefulness of gears consider a hub geared bike. Shimano Nexus or Sturmey Archer have offerings or if you have a few quid go for a Rohloff Hub