Newbie to single speed

[Freddyflintstone]

Hello
I really do fancy getting the Dawes Ambassador but the ratio of gears is 38T to 16T
I know a Dealer could change it to 38T 20T
I am 60 fit for my age and cycled all my life
I am looking advice from you younger fitter guys re hills etc with this gear ratio

Many Thanks
PS I will be buying it from a local LBS
pps if I was rich I could get the Guvnor 3 speed (problem solved)

 

[Zoiders]

On rolling terrain I can't see you struggling with 38x16 which is...(consults Sheldon)...62/63-ish inches dependent on tyre size which is pleasantly spinny, I know a chap who tours on a similar ratio with a fixed wheel.

I use a 75" gear and it's quite lumpy round these parts so I think an older life long cyclist will be fine, you may even find yourself gearing up a tad in a while.

I like that Dawes, I can even see it being set up with moustache bars and reverse action levers for full on retro chic.

 

[al-fresco]

I'm just a bit younger than you and riding single speed was a revelation. I have a 42 front and a 16 rear (69"). Living on the Welsh borders (and using fixed) the problem is not so much getting up the hills as getting down them - because above 26 mph I'm reaching for the brakes to stop my legs from spinning so fast (not a problem if you have a freewheel and can coast). It's just amazing what you can get up when the only option is to get off and push. Leg strength comes quickly and I find I spend much, much more time out of the saddle. For hills I find the 69" gear to be a good compromise and I'll just live with the downhill limitation.


On flatter, more undulating roads, the gearing is in it's element and I find my average speed is actually faster than on a geared bike - I put this down to the fact that, instead of relying on gears, you're hoarding your momentum and attacking every slope that you come to.

 

[Bicycle]

I'm just a bit younger than you and riding single speed was a revelation. I have a 42 front and a 16 rear (69"). Living on the Welsh borders (and using fixed) the problem is not so much getting up the hills as getting down them - because above 26 mph I'm reaching for the brakes to stop my legs from spinning so fast (not a problem if you have a freewheel and can coast). It's just amazing what you can get up when the only option is to get off and push. Leg strength comes quickly and I find I spend much, much more time out of the saddle. For hills I find the 69" gear to be a good compromise and I'll just live with the downhill limitation.


On flatter, more undulating roads, the gearing is in it's element and I find my average speed is actually faster than on a geared bike - I put this down to the fact that, instead of relying on gears, you're hoarding your momentum and attacking every slope that you come to.

+1 to all the above.

I'm in the same place and have the same gearing on a fixie (69")

Other than the fact that I'm disturbingly slow with or without gears, I'm in the same boat.

One wonderful thing about fixed or single-speed is that it is the work of moments to change the gearing. You won't necessarily know your preferred gear until you've tried one.

It's like being Goldilocks choosing the right porridge temperature, although without the threat of three angry bears.

As an afterthought... Why didn't the bears just kill Goldilocks and eat her? And who serves porridge and then goes out for a walk while it cools? And why weren't the Police involved?

 

[Freddyflintstone]

Thanks for the sound advice Guys
I,m off to the shops for my Dawes Ambassador
and as you say
I can always gear up or down a tad as needed (via the LBS)

Now where did I put those handle bars for the chic look ?

If you pass a guy on a cycle that looks like he's from the 30's going down a
hill at 20mph - that'll be me

 

[wheres_my_beard]

Has your new steed arrived?

 

[Freddyflintstone]

LBS said I have to be sized up
Hope its for the steed

 

[Freddyflintstone]

Has your new steed arrived?

I'm sure you know the pashley delivery times (oops Dawes Ambassador)