What are singlespeed bikes for?

[DTD]

Commute on a single speed – lovely to look at and simple to maintain.
Not flipped the back wheel and tried fixed – will probably do it sometime.

More recently I've got a geared bike, which is great for distances and hills.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Langsters Rule! I have given fixed a go but prefer SS for around these parts where it gets a bit hilly (the Downs) north of home. I have ridden back home from Gatwick, about 28 miles, without any real bother.

Bill

 

[MickL]

I starting to think about SS, of all my 24 gears I use about 3 if that 6,4 and 3 if I feel lazy going up hill.

 

[junglegusset]

How much is a Sturmey Archery hub gear? Are they heavy? Do they work on MTBs? Quite fancy one of these 3 speed single speeds. Are they difficult to maintain?

 

[TVC]

If we're talking about the the differences between SS and geared bikes, then it's only fair that I point you to the definitive work on the subject:

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn29DvMITu4[/media]




Any excuse

For the record I commute on a single speed, and ride fast on a full carbon.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

...considering I lived on a diet of toast, cornflakes and Theakston's at the time - anybody can.

Sensible and well balanced with all the food groups catered for!

 

[biggs682]

i am on my 3rd converted bike , with another 1 to do , they make a lot of sense when you now what your route contains , i love them and save a lot on maintenance , got to try fixed gear next , but not brave enough yet

 

[Basil.B]

The pain of going up hills on my single speed bike!

 

[GrasB]

Hills or inclines? Nope - no idea what they.

Cambridge - the gateway to Flatlandia.

May I suggest you try the roads to the south of cambridge still no serious climbs about but there are inclines & you can do a surprising amount of up hill riding in short stints.

 

[croyde]

I bought a Langster last year and ended up using it all the time. Commuting in London and rides out including doing circuits of Richmond Park.

It's great but I am getting fed up of not being able to go faster down hills so I have just got myself a Spec Allez Comp.

The Comp I'll use on fine days for rides out and the Langster I'll use on bad weather days and commuting. They do build your fitness up but I have to admit to only having used it fixed for a couple of days.