Ever see a SS commuter..

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jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
I've found the Achilles heel of Fixie Pixies - twisty routes. They can't corner as fast as us free-wheeling types due to the risk of pedal hitting tarmac.

Unfortunately SS riders don't have that flaw, so you have to go out looking for the steepest hills you can find. Or wait until they are old and their knees are shot.

Do you know the angle a bike can get to with a 10.5" BB, 170mm cranks and Miche platforms with toeclips?

I do.

On tight corners, stand up and 'in lean'. Same as in a Criterium race round city streets.

A couple of Cat 2 riders didn't know this at the Warwick Town Centre races last year and come a real pearler.


If a cyclist knows how to ride a bike, he can corner as fast as he wants until the tyres roll off. :thumbsup: Unlike Cavendish in the Tour.... :laugh:
 

AideyM

Guest
Just to clarify, How many points do you get for overtaking a roadbike with gears on a SS.?

Managed to pull one in today up the longish climb at Perry Barr. I reckon it is at least a 5 and makes up for being weeded by the octagenarian on a tricycle last year
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
Just to clarify, How many points do you get for overtaking a roadbike with gears on a SS.?

Managed to pull one in today up the longish climb at Perry Barr. I reckon it is at least a 5 and makes up for being weeded by the octagenarian on a tricycle last year

From the One Stop up to the Scott Arms? The tour of Britain went up past the Tennis Courts back in the early nineties. They went up it sat upright, no handed while reading the route sheet...:laugh:

I go up it on 42 x 16 at 12.5 mph.

The Walsall Road. A34.

Its on my route to IKEA Wednesbury, and now Decathlon on Axletree.

In fact, if you're in the area tomorrow afternoon about 3 ish, I'll be the bloke on the BSA 20 shopping bike cruising past the Single Speeds...:tongue:
 
OP
OP
gbb

gbb

Squire
Location
Peterborough
Definately a SS. Didnt see him tonight....the headwind would have mullered me this morning on my SS, so perhaps he gave it a miss today (or just perhaps our paths didnt cross)
 

zigzag

Veteran
Most likely fixed if it's fast, as SS has no advantage over a geared bike. At higher cadences, the fixed will help by pushing the gear round.

have you tried riding ss bike?..;) ss has some advantage over geared bike, because the chain doesn't need to go around 2 pulleys (creating friction in chain links, and those 2 pulleys spin at high speed adding some drag). chain is constantly tensioned by rear mech - this also adds some friction. all these combined create small but clearly noticeable drag in geared drivetrain.
 

AideyM

Guest
From the One Stop up to the Scott Arms? The tour of Britain went up past the Tennis Courts back in the early nineties. They went up it sat upright, no handed while reading the route sheet...:laugh:

I go up it on 42 x 16 at 12.5 mph.

The Walsall Road. A34.

Its on my route to IKEA Wednesbury, and now Decathlon on Axletree.

In fact, if you're in the area tomorrow afternoon about 3 ish, I'll be the bloke on the BSA 20 shopping bike cruising past the Single Speeds...:tongue:

I'll already be at work by three and since it is Friday, posh bike will be out playing, so it wouldn't be fair :tongue:
However if you are out Monday at 0500 you're on
 

jimboalee

New Member
Location
Solihull
have you tried riding ss bike?..;) ss has some advantage over geared bike, because the chain doesn't need to go around 2 pulleys (creating friction in chain links, and those 2 pulleys spin at high speed adding some drag). chain is constantly tensioned by rear mech - this also adds some friction. all these combined create small but clearly noticeable drag in geared drivetrain.

You have neglected to tell Fossy about the little 'clicks' the chain makes when it meshes on the jockey wheels.

Noise energy is WASTED energy,,,,, :laugh:
 

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
just got my single speed on a 52 x 17 at moment in a fairly flat commute , and i need to go down on the 17 but cant decide how far to go

i find it easier than riding multi geared bike on short commute but on a longer route prefer to have more choice
 
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