Would you go single speed and why?

[Manonabike]

I keep reading from people that suggest going single speed..... I know that it takes very little maintenance but what else.... I don't get it - I guess I would have to walk up every single hill on my route and that is not my idea of fun when I go out cycling.

 

[I am Spartacus]

Single speed has its uses and are useful.
(MOD)I think however that this item belongs in Cafe and not in Know How.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Depends on the hills on your route. I used a fixed wheel for a commute around Wolverhampton for a while and it was great fun and easy to get up the hills on a 49x16 gear. And there were no claggy derailleurs to clean every few weeks. But they're not for everyone, and I don't think I'd like to use one in a hilly area.

 

[marinyork]

Depends on the gradients on the route? I expect that I'd get on perfectly all right using a single speed in Sheffield for the bread and butter routes I use. It wouldn't be suitable at all for other routes though and I can't imagine some of my friends getting on well with one.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I wouldn't recommend a single/fixed to a newbie till they've got the miles in their legs to cope with the hills at 1 speed.

 

[Arch]

We had a lovely single speed Giant Halfway folder, it was really nice to ride. (it got nicked). But in York one gear really is enough.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

The other reason to own one of course, is n+1. It's just something different to ride every so often.
I'm currently building up an old Raleigh Twenty into a fixed wheel.

 

[Stig-OT-Dump]

I'd love to get one. I've got my eye on a bike my father-in-law has, I'd like to convert it. It'd tick boxes for mechanical skills, working on technique, riding something different and all the other bonuses of riding fixed.

 

[Crankarm]

Nope, single speed for normal road riding are very limited, from an era best left in the past.

 

[longers]

Nope, single speed for normal road riding are very limited, from an era best left in the past.

Or it's good fun and good exercise. The only limit is the rider.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I like my home-made single speed bike - it's fun!

 

[longers]

Yes, "only" was a bit of a sweeping statement but it's the main factor. I was going to have a quick edit to something less sweeping but you quoted me.

 

[cyberknight]

Think i will stick with gears for now ,not the hilliest route but with fenders,rack and a bag of crap...........

 

[longers]

It's ok, I've got a trigger brain

 

[accountantpete]

Personally I wouldn't use one as I like to maintain a 60-70 rpm cadence and a use a reasonably consistent power to turn the cranks -anything else would confuse my ageing muscles!