Is it silly to try single speed when unfit?

[JediGoat]

It's been a while since I posted about getting my old commuter out of the shed and starting to cycle to work again, but I'm thinking about giving it another go...

However, I have a vehicle maintenance coefficient of about -15, so anything I own gets very little TLC, and almost certainly never gets washed regularly. So I'm thinking about picking a 2nd hand single-speed as a low-maintenance workhorse (pumping up tyres and oiling the chain is something I do pay attention to ).

My plan is to start pootling around on 3-4 mile flat circuits near home, then go for the 8-9 mile commute to work. I used to commute that distance, so I know what it involves...however, flat as my journey might be (inner London), I am rather unfit, somewhat overweight, and a smoker. I know last time I became a cycle commuter I stopped smoking and this is my aim again (that and saving the petrol money it costs me to get to work by motorbike).

So, seriously, can an unfit person manage a pretty flat route on a single-speed, or am I being silly?

 

[ColinJ]

So, seriously, can an unfit person manage a pretty flat route on a single-speed ...

Yes.

... or am I being silly?

No!

(But you will probably be pretty slow, to start with.)

 

[Moodyman]

Not silly at all. As Colin says you'll be slow to start off with, but you'll become fitter quicker than you would if yo had gears.

When you have no gears, you've no choice but to battle it out.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

it sounds like a good plan to get fit. fixed will do the same but faster. no coasting dear boy.

 

[fossyant]

Fine. Bet you end up fixed after a while though !

 

[david1701]

I soooo want one, there was a BEAUTIFUL charge fixie, green with bullhorns in cogs in plymouth and I was severely tempted but then I remember I live surrounded by massive hills

 

[Tasker]

It's been a while since I posted about getting my old commuter out of the shed and starting to cycle to work again, but I'm thinking about giving it another go...

However, I have a vehicle maintenance coefficient of about -15, so anything I own gets very little TLC, and almost certainly never gets washed regularly. So I'm thinking about picking a 2nd hand single-speed as a low-maintenance workhorse (pumping up tyres and oiling the chain is something I do pay attention to ).

My plan is to start pootling around on 3-4 mile flat circuits near home, then go for the 8-9 mile commute to work. I used to commute that distance, so I know what it involves...however, flat as my journey might be (inner London), I am rather unfit, somewhat overweight, and a smoker. I know last time I became a cycle commuter I stopped smoking and this is my aim again (that and saving the petrol money it costs me to get to work by motorbike).

So, seriously, can an unfit person manage a pretty flat route on a single-speed, or am I being silly?

I honestly don't think anyone but you can answer that, only you know your physical state and limitations.

As you've said, get pootling around when there's no pressure on you. How about trying to cycle into work on a Sunday, early in the morning when there's not much traffic around. If you find you can do it -great, if not then build yourself up by doing a little more pootling until you get your legs back as it were, and rest assured you will do.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

 

[JediGoat]

OK, I feel a little less over-optimistically silly now. Slow is no problem, slow is good...in fact, slow sounds like a decidedly more comfortable option right now

I've got my eye on a couple of ebay auctions...can only really afford around £75 (maybe a little more) at the moment. Although I have maintenance-phobia, I am happy to replace bits and bobs when it needs doing.

As for fixed...er....not just yet ta Whilst I'm pretty confident with my balance and road-awareness (I commute by motorbike in central London, and have done for years), I just wince at the potential knee pain possible when forgetting there is no freewheel (that's not saying that a little corner of my brain doesn't spark into action at the thought of riding fixed in the future )

Anyway, the proof of the pudding may come soon...a couple of the auctions I have my eye on are the other side of London...and pedaling is the only way home.

Oh...and less 'my boy' comments please, female of the species here

 

[JediGoat]

As an aside...I'm a little confused about bike sizes. My old commuter was a 17" MTB converted with slicks, and always felt a bit small for me (saddle post only just inside the seat tube) - I'm about 5'7"-5'8" with stupidly long legs and arms like a gibbon.

All the guides I have read say a 54cm frame should be right for me, but would a 56" suit me better with my freakishly long arms & legs, or would my short torso be an issue? Of course, I'll try any bike before I buy it, but buying 2nd hand does not give the option of trying different frame sizes :/

 

[Tasker]

Oh...and less 'my boy' comments please, female of the species here

And how pray were we supposed to know that from your name and upon checking your profile thing that it has the silhouette of a man and under the question Man or Woman you've put Not Telling! (Giggles)

Running with the Fox and hunting with the hounds leads naturally to confusion..

Above all. Do not consider changing your existing bike for some hyped up piece of rubbish that subliminally suggests it can do everything your heart desires, otherwise you'll have two bikes rusting away in the shed.

If you're serious I think you'd have a go with what you've already got first.

Here endeth the first and final lesson.

 

[ColinJ]

All the guides I have read say a 54cm frame should be right for me, but would a 56" suit me better with my freakishly long arms & legs, or would my short torso be an issue? Of course, I'll try any bike before I buy it, but buying 2nd hand does not give the option of trying different frame sizes :/

You may have long arms but I doubt that they would be long enough for a 56" (inch!) frame.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

OK, I feel a little less over-optimistically silly now. Slow is no problem, slow is good...in fact, slow sounds like a decidedly more comfortable option right now

I've got my eye on a couple of ebay auctions...can only really afford around £75 (maybe a little more) at the moment. Although I have maintenance-phobia, I am happy to replace bits and bobs when it needs doing.

As for fixed...er....not just yet ta Whilst I'm pretty confident with my balance and road-awareness (I commute by motorbike in central London, and have done for years), I just wince at the potential knee pain possible when forgetting there is no freewheel (that's not saying that a little corner of my brain doesn't spark into action at the thought of riding fixed in the future )

Anyway, the proof of the pudding may come soon...a couple of the auctions I have my eye on are the other side of London...and pedaling is the only way home.

Oh...and less 'my boy' comments please, female of the species here

about the last thing that hurts when you forget you've no freewheel is your knees, as it happens.

and I've edited my gender confusion.

 

[david1701]

tbh a 75 quid bike without maintenance will be a bit crappy, I'd ride what you got for now and then try and find something decent later on with a lot of test rides

 

[Coco]

Don't discount the Decathlon single speed. Cheap as chips and although the parts are pretty crap, it has a 2 year warranty (IIRC)

 

[JediGoat]

Apologies for not setting the gender-profile-thingy-setting-whotsit...had no idea it was there 'Tis done now though

As for using the bike I've got...I would, but it's not working since I gave the gears an overhaul (I think if you asked the bike about this, it would refer to it as butchery, but it my head it was an attempted improvement). It also needs me to get new tyres, new front mech, and I'm still feeling uncomfortable riding it (seems to short along the top tube...altho I agree Colin, 56" may be a tad too big ).

So spending £75ish on an old single-speed that needs me to pump the tyres and oil the chain weekly, and wipe a sponge over it every couple of months seems like the less pricey option in the long run.

Or maybe I just want another bike... :/