Singlespeed for commuting novice - yes or no?

[biggs682]

yes get him to try freewheel single speed first then try fixed

 

[fossyant]

Fixed here - regularly ride hilly bits on it (other side of hill from Sheffield). Can do about 34mph downhill - 150 rpm.

Most singlespeed sprockets are made of cheese, unless you spend some serious money. Track sprockets are about £15-£17 for a quality heavy duty sprocket. A chain and sprocket will last 12 months easily (I change every 12 months). Riding fixed is also very good training, and teaches you flexibility with cadence (SS does that too) and helps you to improve your cadence on a geared bike - I average a good 10 rpm higher now than I did before riding fixed ! For the Manchester 100 I averaged 90 rpm !!

 

[fossyant]

yes get him to try freewheel single speed first then try fixed

Noooooooo

 

[fossyant]

Oh, and I've set very similar times on certain climbs riding my fixed, with fully loaded paniers compared to my road bike with no load. It's not an issue.

 

[biggs682]

Noooooooo

and why not try freewheel single speed first ?

 

[Lee_M]

Bugger single speed - pointless - go FIXED !

yep, make his first commute really hard, and put him off bikes for life

There may be more maintenance, but frankly I like having gears on my bike

 

[fossyant]

yep, make his first commute really hard, and put him off bikes for life

Erm it's not hard at all ? Really.

 

[fossyant]

and why not try freewheel single speed first ?

Because ! There, I said it.

Just because !

 

[Lee_M]

Erm it's not hard at all ? Really.

I think all you experts forget what it's like for a newbie to come back to a bike.

Fixed wheel and traffic lights isnt something I'd like to try on my first commute on a monday morning

 

[fossyant]

He's young, he'll be fine. What do you think most of the students are riding round here ?

 

[Lee_M]

He's young, he'll be fine. What do you think most of the students are riding round here ?

Not sure equating south manchester and riding into London is winning your arguement.

I've only just started commuting into london, and I want all the help, safety features and options (freewheel, gears, emergency stopping etc) that I can get

 

[Sittingduck]

Get him a geared bike. If he doesn't want to use them, he doesn't have to... at least he will have the option. I ride through Wimbledon to the City and back every day and I can assure you that I do use mine

 

[GrumpyGregry]

He's your son. For the love of god, let him learn to commute on a bike with a freewheel!

EDIT: Addressed to the OP. (and to User)

 

[simon.r]

Personally I don't think fixed is for a novice cyclist in heavy traffic - just my opinion, but based on some experience. For all the reasons listed I think ss freewheel is the way to go and nothing posted in this thread has persuaded me otherwise.

Cheers all.

 

[Sittingduck]

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My gut reaction is to recommend a singlespeed, but I'm biased!​

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You had it in your first post