Single speed commute ?
Discussion
I'm toying with the idea of getting a single speed bike for my 18 mile round trip commute but i know absolutely bugger all about them,
My Commute is relatively flat with around 300 ft of ascent in each direction so i never really need to use the small ring on my current 105 set up unless it's really windy or i'm feeling a little girlie.
Not sure i'd want a fixie & i'm sure you can get a free wheel version,
They seem a lot less hassle than the current racing bike i'm using & i guess it would be a lot cheaper to maintain & clean too .
I'm guessing that you need to get the gearing ratio right to start with & they seem relatively cheap & i'm struggling to see what's not to like.
Obviously i'd like a little advice from other peeps that have been down this road.
Any feedback warmly appreciated.
Neil
My Commute is relatively flat with around 300 ft of ascent in each direction so i never really need to use the small ring on my current 105 set up unless it's really windy or i'm feeling a little girlie.
Not sure i'd want a fixie & i'm sure you can get a free wheel version,
They seem a lot less hassle than the current racing bike i'm using & i guess it would be a lot cheaper to maintain & clean too .
I'm guessing that you need to get the gearing ratio right to start with & they seem relatively cheap & i'm struggling to see what's not to like.
Obviously i'd like a little advice from other peeps that have been down this road.
Any feedback warmly appreciated.
Neil
Edited by Black can man on Friday 13th May 11:41
Edited by Black can man on Friday 13th May 11:41
Do it 
I used to ride single-speed and now ride fixed (8 miles each way SW London to the City). My gearing is 48x16 which is quite big when you find yourself riding into a strong headwind but you can always have a play with the gearing to find something that suits. It's definitely much easier in maintenance terms
I used to ride single-speed and now ride fixed (8 miles each way SW London to the City). My gearing is 48x16 which is quite big when you find yourself riding into a strong headwind but you can always have a play with the gearing to find something that suits. It's definitely much easier in maintenance terms I swap about from geared to SS for my commute (8 miles) dependent on my mood and what I want to do. Geared cannondale v's retro SS Orange. I'm slower on the SS but tend to enjoy it more as it just feels nicer.
For 18 miles I'd play with the existing ratios you have on your geared bike and just not change for the duration - you'll find a ratio that works. The advantage (dependent on what your geared bike is) being that the SS will be lighter without the kit. Do this for a decent number of rides - if you like it then get an SS; not least because "n+1"
For 18 miles I'd play with the existing ratios you have on your geared bike and just not change for the duration - you'll find a ratio that works. The advantage (dependent on what your geared bike is) being that the SS will be lighter without the kit. Do this for a decent number of rides - if you like it then get an SS; not least because "n+1"
I quite often do the whole commute without changing gear & especially on a day like today sometimes i just love to take my time & make the ride last.
I'm also possibly & most probably changing jobs soon & it would mean my commute will be around 10 miles.
Ah f
k it , i'm going shopping 
Wonder if she will notice another one
I'm also possibly & most probably changing jobs soon & it would mean my commute will be around 10 miles.
Ah f
k it , i'm going shopping Wonder if she will notice another one
My commute is 16 miles round trip with 1900ft climbing (joys of living in Yorkshire) and during the winter I use a single speed. I was in a similar position before I built it so stuck with the 2:1 ratio when I set it up. I'm now thinking of going for a slightly bigger gear.
The first few rides take a little getting use to but you soon get into the swing of it.
You are right in terms of simplicity, that bike is ride & forget, rarely bother with cleaning. Only give the chain an oil every now & then
The first few rides take a little getting use to but you soon get into the swing of it.
You are right in terms of simplicity, that bike is ride & forget, rarely bother with cleaning. Only give the chain an oil every now & then
S10GTA said:
I really like my single speed for the commute. If its flatish near you I'd do it. So simple, I love mine. 10.5 miles each way.
I do Morden to Nine elms usually up the CS7 quite early & Nine elms back to Morden via Wandsworth common past the dog track, Wimbledon & Raynes park, none of the climbs are taxing tbh.Edited by S10GTA on Friday 13th May 12:23
I know you are familiar with this area .
I did the same 10 months ago for my commute, but just selling my Single Speed now: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raleigh-flyer-single-spe...
My commute was 10 miles , over Marlborough downs, with a 5 minute steepish climb at the start , then it was open to the wind and a bit bumpy
Pros:
I loved the smoothness,simplicity and feeling of riding SS
I crashed the bike at speed with no damage bar a bent handlebar that I bent back
Parts are cheap
Services are cheap
In theory not much to go wrong (see my cons though)
Different and argubly better workout (see my cons though)
Really easy to clean
Cons
I have never spent so much time maintaining a bike, it was a complete pita, mine cost £300 new, but cheapfixes/single speeds have the cheapsest nastiness parts known to man, I replaced all the crap stuff, but it needed lots of ongoing maintainence
You have to work the bike really hard at times, this wears components quicker I found
Punctures are hard work, you usually need a spanners, mine was a hard work to tension up in the rain and dark, Im normally good at punctures as well
Did my knees in, pushing a big gear up steep hills meant my outer quads got too powerful and helped mess up the pull on my knee cap, still having physio now
Overall a Single speed wasn't really suitable for my hilly commute with a medium/big gear, I was shocked though the poor quality parts most cheap single speeds have though.
If I had a flat ish urban commute I would love another single speed, but it wasnt a good choice for my harsh hilly rural one
My commute was 10 miles , over Marlborough downs, with a 5 minute steepish climb at the start , then it was open to the wind and a bit bumpy
Pros:
I loved the smoothness,simplicity and feeling of riding SS
I crashed the bike at speed with no damage bar a bent handlebar that I bent back
Parts are cheap
Services are cheap
In theory not much to go wrong (see my cons though)
Different and argubly better workout (see my cons though)
Really easy to clean
Cons
I have never spent so much time maintaining a bike, it was a complete pita, mine cost £300 new, but cheapfixes/single speeds have the cheapsest nastiness parts known to man, I replaced all the crap stuff, but it needed lots of ongoing maintainence
You have to work the bike really hard at times, this wears components quicker I found
Punctures are hard work, you usually need a spanners, mine was a hard work to tension up in the rain and dark, Im normally good at punctures as well
Did my knees in, pushing a big gear up steep hills meant my outer quads got too powerful and helped mess up the pull on my knee cap, still having physio now
Overall a Single speed wasn't really suitable for my hilly commute with a medium/big gear, I was shocked though the poor quality parts most cheap single speeds have though.
If I had a flat ish urban commute I would love another single speed, but it wasnt a good choice for my harsh hilly rural one
I built up a Kona Paddy Wagon as a winter commuter and its brilliant. Steel frame and 27mm Open Paves and it rides so smoothly on the crap roads. Now the weathers nicer no real desire to get the SuperSix out the shed and il happily do 30-50 miles on the singlespeed. Fairly flat where I live but I like the fact you have to attack the hills, and because it makes you work I find I'm only a little bit slower than on the Cannondale.
Agree about cheap components though, it's definitely worth building your own up from a frame or at least upgrading the important bits. I was breaking Shimano freewheels on a regular basis so got a Whyte Industries ENO freewheel. Not cheap but worth every penny. It's no fun if the ratchet starts slipping when your out the saddle. Punctures are a little bit trickier with the track wheels but I just keep a ratchet spanner in the saddle bag.
Agree about cheap components though, it's definitely worth building your own up from a frame or at least upgrading the important bits. I was breaking Shimano freewheels on a regular basis so got a Whyte Industries ENO freewheel. Not cheap but worth every penny. It's no fun if the ratchet starts slipping when your out the saddle. Punctures are a little bit trickier with the track wheels but I just keep a ratchet spanner in the saddle bag.
I do 6 miles each way on my fixie to work and back and it's great. Only 230 ft of climb, but honestly most of that is in 2 sharp hills and I love the bike. It's only a cheap one, but there are advantages
- it's cheap so less likely to be stolen and the bits are hard to steal
- If someone tries to ride off on it, they likely will fall off
- Mine takes virtually no maintenance (pump up the tyres, oil the chain, check the front brake pad
It's not for everyone, but it's good fun....
- it's cheap so less likely to be stolen and the bits are hard to steal
- If someone tries to ride off on it, they likely will fall off
- Mine takes virtually no maintenance (pump up the tyres, oil the chain, check the front brake pad
It's not for everyone, but it's good fun....
Seems to me you want a new bike, so crack on. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't get the "it's less maintenance" thing. It's not IME. If you wanted to ride one gear then select one on your existing bike and use it. Do a ghetto single speed conversion if you like, it's cheap, quick and reversible and I've done it (and reversed it) on one of my bikes.
Oh, I have a ghetto SS bike. It was £35, it needed a bit of maintenance out of the bits box and I now use it as a hack cum toy. It actually lives in a mate's garage, I use it when I go and see him. For £35, that's OK.
You want a new bike. So get one. Be honest to yourself.
Oh, I have a ghetto SS bike. It was £35, it needed a bit of maintenance out of the bits box and I now use it as a hack cum toy. It actually lives in a mate's garage, I use it when I go and see him. For £35, that's OK.
You want a new bike. So get one. Be honest to yourself.
I had a 10 mile commute (each way) with maybe 100ft of climbing and my SS/fixie was perfect.
Bought a second hand langster for £200, put MTB SPDs on it, flip-flopped the rear wheel to fixed (48:16) and never looked back.
The maintenance was really very low since I hardly ever even used the brakes - just more chain replacement perhaps.
Rear cog made of some sort of adamantium so never needed any TLC.
Bought a second hand langster for £200, put MTB SPDs on it, flip-flopped the rear wheel to fixed (48:16) and never looked back.
The maintenance was really very low since I hardly ever even used the brakes - just more chain replacement perhaps.
Rear cog made of some sort of adamantium so never needed any TLC.
I used to go riding on my fixie for 20mile rides without any issues. I just powered up the hills. Sometimes it was quite hard work but its a simple machine to ride which gives plenty of opportunity to enjoy the countryside. I think I ended riding a 47:15 geared bike before admitting I couldn't go fast enough and get safely out of junctions.
Just for more suicide points I even used clip in pedals....
Just for more suicide points I even used clip in pedals....
Batfink said:
Just for more suicide points I even used clip in pedals....
So do I, dont really consider it suicidal though - The clip in pedals are narrower so allow me to corner faster, and they allow you to pull up with your legs, giving much better efficiency. Not really worth going fixed without clipping in IMO.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff