What is the point of fixed or single speed ?

[mcshroom]

Gearing depends mainly on the rider's fitness and the gradients they are likely to ride up. I can get my SS/Fixed up 10% hills as long as they don't go on for too long. I've set it up with a 44x17 gear which is around 68-69". I'm thinking of dropping it to 44x18 (64-65") for the winter though as it should be a little more comfortable on hillier roads.

There is defintely something about the simplicity of riding without multiple gears. To go faster you pedal faster, if you reach a hill you just have to dig in and climb.

It's also easier to keep a singlspeed drive chain clean which is useful if your commute is on muddy contry lanes like mine, and the chain lasts forever

 

[Ian H]

I used a double-fixed hub with 17 one side and 18 the other.
Fixed-wheel is good winter training, a low-maintenance bike, silent pedalling.
Fixed-gear is the US equivalent.
Fixie is something trendy and often unroadworthy.

 

[DaveS]

Gearing depends mainly on the rider's fitness and the gradients they are likely to ride up. I can get my SS/Fixed up 10% hills as long as they don't go on for too long. I've set it up with a 44x17 gear which is around 68-69". I'm thinking of dropping it to 44x18 (64-65") for the winter though as it should be a little more comfortable on hillier roads.

There is defintely something about the simplicity of riding without multiple gears. To go faster you pedal faster, if you reach a hill you just have to dig in and climb.

It's also easier to keep a singlspeed drive chain clean which is useful if your commute is on muddy contry lanes like mine, and the chain lasts forever

I too use 44x17 summer and 44x18 winter. I actually prefer 44x18, it's nicer being a fraction under geared but my ego gets in the way LOL. I just set up another bike 42x17 which is in between, and is fast becoming my favourite all rounder. I use 25s as tires which ups it a fraction over more conventional 23s.

 

[Ian H]

I've used 43t on the front for decades. It has the advantage of being a prime number, so I can run any sprocket without worrying about uneven chain wear.

 

[MrGrumpy]

just upped mine again to 48 x 16 instead of a 17t and yes that one tooth is noticable but feels better on the long straights. My commute does not involve big climbs, if it did my gearing would be different.

 

[jazzkat]

Thanks for asking this question. It was something I didnt know but was afraid to ask.

So now you all know Im thick, here is my question.

I assume one gear does not suit all so how do you put the correct gear on your bike?

In my experience it's a good compromise between too high a gear to get up a hill and too low a gear for the flats.
I usually use 75ish gear inches and that has been great with dry roads, it's tough, but manageable up steep hills and I can cruise at 23/24 ish mph on the flat. I've just gone down to 69ish inches and getting up the hills on greasy roads is easier but my cruising speed has come down a little. I've time trialled on 103inches and actually ridden that gear on the road (by mistake) and coped up the hills but it was a real hernia inducing ride!
I thought that riding fixed would improve my geared bike riding - making me ride faster up hills (which it has) and improving my cadence allowing me to be faster on the flats (which it has).
The crazy thing is I hardly ride my geared bike at all now, so both those perceived gains are immaterial!
Edit (to answer the question) I've got a box full of sprockets, acquired during the process of finding the right gear ratio for me.

 

[fossyant]

New to single speed and done under 50 miles but I really like the simplicity...just pedal, steer, brake not sure my orthopaedic specialist would approve so shhh I've not really been near any real hills and it is much easier with a tailwind than a headwind!

In terms of the one gear, I need something that won't over stress my knees on hills so I'm prepared to sacrifice some speed on the flat and downhill...legs out to side and wheeeeeee

Be careful with knees and especially tendons with a fixed. They are great for building tendon strength - eliminated a problem I had for years, but don't start leg braking, and do watch steep hills or steep downhills - i.e. take it easy !

 

[DaveS]

Damn I wish I had the strength to manage these bigger gears. 67 inch is about right for me and 70 just that bit too much.

 

[vickster]

It's single speed Won't be going fixed. I believe I have a fairly standard 48x18

 

[3narf]

It's single speed Won't be going fixed. I believe I have a fairly standard 48x18

Good on you!

There's a myth that fixed gear is some kind of pure form of cycling. I say 'come int't nineties!'

 

[vickster]

Good on you!

There's a myth that fixed gear is some kind of pure form of cycling. I say 'come int't nineties!'

The chap at Pearsons told me it is a 'disciplined' way of cycling...bug*er that, I'm way too old and crocked!

 

[3narf]

The chap at Pearsons told me it is a 'disciplined' way of cycling...bug*er that, I'm way too old and crocked!

There haven't been that many innovations in
Cycling in the past 100 years that have substantially changed things for the better.

The freewheel, however, is definitely one of them.

 

[Dogtrousers]

There haven't been that many innovations in
Cycling in the past 100 years that have substantially changed things for the better.

The freewheel, however, is definitely one of them.

And cotterless cranks. Just sayin'

Attepmt to remain On Topic: I rode fixed to & from school for a week in the 1970s, just out of curiosity as I happened to have come into posession of a wheel with double hub (fixed one side). It frightened the life out of me - felt like the bike was in charge - and I've never done it since.

 

[DaveS]

Oh yeah, cotter pins! I sheared several riding fixed as a teen.

 

[G3CWI]

Referring to the title; it's just a way to differentiate yourself. It's not better.

I like to think of it as the cycling equivalent of this: