Is it silly to try single speed when unfit?

[david1701]

if it needs parts then you have justification to spend money (my reasoning for hunting for a S/H bike for so long my fam decided to get me ones as a bday present )

 

[ColinJ]

If you ask nicely, you can often get people to donate parts to a bike project.

I gave an old 531 Claud Butler away in exchange for a lunch in Leeds.

When my mate emigrated, he left me a good steel frame + bottom bracket, forks, brake callipers, wheels, tubes and tyres. I had a saddle, stem, bars, brake levers, cranks, chainring, chain, pedals, sprocket, spacers and bottle cage in my spares box. All I had to buy was a seat post and brake cables. I put a good singlespeed bike together from those odd bits and £25 worth of new stuff. It is a nice ride.

 

[mightyquin]

I got back into cycling just recently, after letting the old MTB rot away. I did ride a couple of times a year on hire bikes but that's it. I'm not unfit but a bit overweight.

What did I end up buying? A single speed. So far, no problems at all. A bit of a hill on the way to work meant standing on the pedals at first, but I can manage that sat down now. My bike has 46/16 gearing (I think) which seems a good compromise.

Go for it. But maybe try to stretch the budget a little?

 

[Becs]

I'm 6ft and ride a men's 56 if that's any help. I may be wrong but I think if you have long legs and a shorter torso a women's specific frame may suit you better than a men's bike of the same size, might be something to think about.

Also, if you're looking to get fitter and you live in London you could always join us on the Sunday London ride from Hyde park corner at 9.30! We go at the speed of the slowest rider and it's very relaxed and friendly. There's a thread under "informal rides"

 

[gaz]

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

Cogs started to do road bikes? I remember when they opened they only did MTB. Not many roadies down in plymouth.

 

[david1701]

Cogs started to do road bikes? I remember when they opened they only did MTB. Not many roadies down in plymouth.

lots of shiny shiny carbon, a fair few hybrids and half a dozen charge ss's so a pretty good range, kids bikes and balance bikes too

 

[tyred]

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

I think it's definitely possible. I would advise a pretty low gear to start with and then increase the gear ratio as you get a bit fitter/stronger which will give you a slightly higher top speed. It's only really a case of changing the freewheel and possibly a link or two in the chain, easy if you have the right tools. If you have little mechanical experience, I shouldn't imagine a bike shop would charge too much to do it.

 

[Jezston]

That's a good point - changing the rear cog on a SS is pretty straightforwards.

Regarding sizing - I'd have thought from your description a 54cm would be right, although if you do have disproportionately long legs then a 56cm with a shorter stem might be ideal. Good way to work it out might be to go into a local branch of a big chain like Evans and ask them to help you work out what size you are. The staff there aren't paid on comission so don't worry about wasting their time. But maybe imply you are looking to buy one of theirs!

Not sure what you'll get second hand for £75. Don't forget old single speed / fixed road bikes are trendy. Maybe an old MTB stripped to single speed (got my old BSA done for £20) might do?

 

[JediGoat]

Thanks all for your replies. Maybe using SS is not a silly idea, but trying to pick up a cheap second hand one is

Money is tight at the moment, so I'm going to see if I can get one or two of the gears working on my current bike, and then see how I go with that.

Thanks for the positive encouragement

 

[smokeysmoo]

After riding geared bikes for more years than I care to remember, I decided to jump on the fixie band wagon myself, but with a retro twist.
I found and restored an 80's Peugeot as a fixed conversion, but it proved to be a bit too small for me and I'll be advertising it for sale soon.

However, a couple of quick rides were enough to convince me of the benefits of fixed/single speed. So much so I went out and bought a 2010 Specialized Langster Steel which I've got set up with 48 x 18 fixed gearing. I'm using it to commute and I'm loving it.

I'm hoping that when I get out on my carbon bike I'll find it much easier than ever before.

 

[Jezston]

After riding geared bikes for more years than I care to remember, I decided to jump on the fixie band wagon myself, but with a retro twist.
I found and restored an 80's Peugeot as a fixed conversion, but it proved to be a bit too small for me and I'll be advertising it for sale soon.

However, a couple of quick rides were enough to convince me of the benefits of fixed/single speed. So much so I went out and bought a 2010 Specialized Langster Steel which I've got set up with 48 x 18 fixed gearing. I'm using it to commute and I'm loving it.

I'm hoping that when I get out on my carbon bike I'll find it much easier than ever before.

Is that the red one? Lovely. Although I'd swap the wheels for something less garish, and heavy