Simulating single speed

[Tin Pot]

before I buy a SS/fixie I was thinking of simulating it on my roadie simply by staying in a set gear throughout my usual training run.

How can I tell what you usually get on a SS/fixie and how that would translate on a multi speed?

My main concern is hills - I drop to absolute lowest gear and slowly grind up hills.

Cheers,

TP

 

[ColinJ]

39/15 would be a good guess? (And you will probably find that a real grind on the hills!) That is the gear that I chose for my s/s bike and the gear was ok from 12-24 mph and ideal for me at about 18 mph. (On the flat!)

 

[GGJ]

If you're running a compact chainset on your geared bike you could try putting it onto the big ring at the front (50T) and the 20T ring on the rear. That will give you approximately a 66 inch gear which only an inch or so shorter than you would have fitted to a Genesis out of the box with its 46T-18 gearing at 67 inches.

 

[Tin Pot]

It's compact, I think 50/34 and 12-27.

 

[mjr]

Don't you need to factor in the greater drivetrain losses of a derailleur? So pick 5-10% fewer gear inches than the single speed you're considering?

 

[Citius]

before I buy a SS/fixie I was thinking of simulating it on my roadie simply by staying in a set gear throughout my usual training run.

In my experience, the determination to do this evapourates as soon as you reach the first incline - then common sense takes over.

 

[mjr]

In my experience, the determination to do this evapourates as soon as you reach the first incline - then common sense takes over.

I find it more tempting on the flat, when your legs are spinning away and you know you could cover the ground quicker with just a flick of a lever...

 

[Crackle]

before I buy a SS/fixie I was thinking of simulating it on my roadie simply by staying in a set gear throughout my usual training run.

How can I tell what you usually get on a SS/fixie and how that would translate on a multi speed?

My main concern is hills - I drop to absolute lowest gear and slowly grind up hills.

Cheers,

TP

This is how I used to ride until about 10 years ago, when I started to spin more. It just requires you to take a different mental approach and find the right gear.

 

[Smurfy]

I'd aim for 65-75 inches, depending on terrain. Use this calculator to do it.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

 

[ayceejay]

A tough one this. Have a medium gear and flat pedals so you can get off easily to walk the hills.

 

[totallyfixed]

Riding fixed requires a very flexible approach to cadence, you can forget all the stuff about ideal rpm's unless of course you live in the Fens and the wind never blows. Today I was going as slow as 8mph and top speed was 38mph. You soon learn a good climbing out of the saddle technique though. To go back to your original question, I did exactly that, rode my geared bike in one gear on a hilly route.

 

[SSmatty]

I agree it depends where you live.
However you can commit (a bit ) fairly cheaply.
You can buy a SS chainset for about £15 on eBay.
You might need a new BB to get a chainline that works, and a tensioner if you have vertical dropouts, but it will give you a good idea if you like it.
I had a GT peace that I didn't really use so I sold it.
Now I use an old 70s road bike converted for less than £100.
Just choose an entry point

 

[Broadside]

before I buy a SS/fixie I was thinking of simulating it on my roadie simply by staying in a set gear throughout my usual training run.

I did this on my commute bike and didn't change gear for about 12 months, it was interesting to see how it quickly became normal to honk up hills. I need to go the whole hog now and buy a fixed gear bike.

 

[mjr]

... live in the Fens and the wind never blows.

pull the other one, it's got bells on!

 

[Tin Pot]

I'd aim for 65-75 inches, depending on terrain. Use this calculator to do it.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

34&14 or 50&21 according to the calculator for 65"

A tough one this. Have a medium gear and flat pedals so you can get off easily to walk the hills.

Might be an idea, plus I'm messing with pedals anyway.