BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
RedBike said:
Errrr, no, that would be development. Think Ordinary.
Singlespeed on a geared bike.
- Thread starter J4CKO
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Errrr, no, that would be development. Think Ordinary.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
ahhhh i see, i saw a fella last night riding his mtb like a fixie, unfortunatly he hadn't chosen the best gear and was really strugling uphills.J4CKO said:No, Cheshire countryside, was that a recognition based on snippets on here or just a typical london Singlespeed type slight ribbing
Did it again this morning, it does change how you ride, pulling from junctions can be interesting, no zipping out with flailing pedals but I would imagine that gets easier as you get stronger.
Its one less thing to think about, I can quite easily block the "Must change gear" mental process.
Hills are tackled differently, build up as much momentum as possible and then batter it, no dropping down into lower and lower gears, focuses the mind.
I tend to try and preserve momentum, even more than normal as it was so hard won.
I spend more time out of the saddle, this rarely happens when using the gears, too easy to drop a cog and spin away, stuck in one gear its a choice of put more effort in ot stall
Not going to get all Zen and mystical about it, its just riding a geared bike in too high a gear, riding a Singlespeed I would imagine has its benefits but I doubt its some religous experience, still, might get one.
Now, about these fixed geared things....
Its one less thing to think about, I can quite easily block the "Must change gear" mental process.
Hills are tackled differently, build up as much momentum as possible and then batter it, no dropping down into lower and lower gears, focuses the mind.
I tend to try and preserve momentum, even more than normal as it was so hard won.
I spend more time out of the saddle, this rarely happens when using the gears, too easy to drop a cog and spin away, stuck in one gear its a choice of put more effort in ot stall
Not going to get all Zen and mystical about it, its just riding a geared bike in too high a gear, riding a Singlespeed I would imagine has its benefits but I doubt its some religous experience, still, might get one.
Now, about these fixed geared things....
See if you can borrow one from someone.
When I first thought about riding fixed, someone at work lent me his hack fixie. It gave me a good insight into the differences without having to spend any cash.
If you were near Edinburgh, I have a hack fixie you could borrow for a bit.
When I first thought about riding fixed, someone at work lent me his hack fixie. It gave me a good insight into the differences without having to spend any cash.
If you were near Edinburgh, I have a hack fixie you could borrow for a bit.
levad
Veteran
I have been doing the exact same thing. I stuck the bike into 50:17 (a 77.6" gear). I have an old Raleigh Nitro frame and I am in the process of converting it to single speed for the winter. I don't want to (yet) go to fixed as I don't want my knees to disintegrate on my hillyish commute. I will probably go for a smaller gear than I have been using as it has been a real grind into the headwinds of late.
swee'pea99
Squire
You know the really big difference? For me at least. The thing that really makes you understand what 'they' have been going on about? The incredible smooth silence of the thing. It's not until you find yourself gliding along a nice piece of smooth road at 25, and there's just no sound at all that you appreciate how much even good gears actually chatter. It really is a whole different experience.
betty swollocks
large member
RedBike said:
With respect, I have to correct this.
An 80 inch gear does not mean that one revolution of the pedals will propel the bike 80 inches forwards. What it does mean is that the gear is the equivalent on sitting on a Penny Farthing which has a wheel diameter of 80 inches.
I revolution of the pedals will therefore propel the bike 80 x 3.142 (pi) = 251.36 inches.
BentMikey
Rider of Seolferwulf
- Location
- South London
betty swollocks
large member
BentMikey said:
B)
RedBike
New Member
- Location
- Beside the road
Ooops. My mistake.
Matty
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Nr Edinburgh
I have been doing this for months now - found laziness was creeping in with gears. One gear, no choice, try harder fanny. Wind or hill, just pedal!!
Although, since it's been a while, I think the benefit is wearing off again.....
I'm using 50x15 on a 26" wheel. It's odd when you have to replace a almost new looking cassette which slips on one cog only!
Although, since it's been a while, I think the benefit is wearing off again.....
I'm using 50x15 on a 26" wheel. It's odd when you have to replace a almost new looking cassette which slips on one cog only!
Joe24
More serious cyclist than Bonj
- Location
- Nottingham
2Loose said:
Just seen this
Yeh i do, just off Porchester road
48/18/72" is the gear i ride
Straight up and out of town in this gear
Also round Switzerland in it, and Derbyshire, been up a 1 in 4 in that gear.
But, i have been riding fixed for a while now and ive strengthened up my legs and knees.
Been up the hill out from town in the TT gear on my normal fixed, 48/16, so about 79/80" gear.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
For me the decision on final gearing was my 'cruise speed', but bearing in mind what I need to get up a long hill towards home, and of course taking into account what my LBS said (who lives locally and has a fixed)...
Started out on a 70" for a week, fine, got up the hills etc, but the cruise speed was hard - 21mph and spinning out...... so went to 74" and that gives me a good 23 mph.
If I go out 'the other way' then I'd need to flip the wheel to the 70"......
I don't see any benefit in SS at all, better off going fixed. Ride for a week or two, you'll be OK with it.
Fixed works well for me as a 'work' bike - loads less cleaning (and you all know what I am like)........
I find the chain can be a bit noisy sometimes, but I have to keep it well lubed - either a heavy wet lube or Pro Road Teflon stuff to keep it quiet, although the noise is off the sprocket and 'alloy' frame - it just transmits noise. It's very smooth though, and it's a shock going back to freewheel...argh...pedalling concrete.....
Started out on a 70" for a week, fine, got up the hills etc, but the cruise speed was hard - 21mph and spinning out...... so went to 74" and that gives me a good 23 mph.
If I go out 'the other way' then I'd need to flip the wheel to the 70"......
I don't see any benefit in SS at all, better off going fixed. Ride for a week or two, you'll be OK with it.
Fixed works well for me as a 'work' bike - loads less cleaning (and you all know what I am like)........
I find the chain can be a bit noisy sometimes, but I have to keep it well lubed - either a heavy wet lube or Pro Road Teflon stuff to keep it quiet, although the noise is off the sprocket and 'alloy' frame - it just transmits noise. It's very smooth though, and it's a shock going back to freewheel...argh...pedalling concrete.....
