Would you go single speed and why?

[Kirstie]

I've neve ridden singlespeed on the road but I have owned a singlespeed mtb - fully rigid it was as well. It was brilliant and I was gutted to have to sell it, but I had to for various reasons. The best thing about singlespeed mtb is that it removes a layer of choices you have to make about changing gear to cope with the terrain. Instead you focus on line choice, body position, and conserving as much momentum as possible. So its a different style of riding because you have to think about different things. V liberating!

 

[swee'pea99]

Very interesting comments I think.... I'd probably go with having a single speed and geared bike. At this point, without ever riding one the most appealing point to me would be the easy maintenance / cleaning. The rest of the "fun" I guess can be replicated with a geared bike ridden on one gear only.

I have to say. for me the low maintenance is a total non-issue. None of my geared bikes has ever needed much maintenance. It's nothing practical. It's the ride. Smooth, silent, clean. And no, you can't replicate it by staying in one gear - not even close.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I've had two single-speeds. My first bike as a small boy was a single speed. It was red and had small wheels. I felt jealous of one of the boys in my street who had a three speed bike and bigger wheels. Ten years ago, I bought a single speed cruiser from Halfords for about £130. I could grunt up most hills ok, but eventually I decided it wasn't the sort of bike I could cycle to the football match on.

Single-speeds with a free wheel are a different kettle of fish to fixed-wheels though.

 

[Arch]

No it's not, it's my opinion. The OP was asking so I obliged. Next time I'll run by you my responses prior to posting. This OK with you ?

If single speeds are so good then why doesn't the only guy who rides SS fixed ride in the fast group on club rides? He tops out at about 21/22mph with a cadence of about 150.

Ah, I thought so, you're only really interested in speed. There are other reasons for riding a bike you know.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Ah, I thought so, you're only really interested in speed. There are other reasons for riding a bike you know.

indeed, and on today's cc ride it was the item beneath my username, left

 

[Manonabike]

I stand corrected

I've never ridden a single speed so I could only guess.