Should I get a single speed?
#26
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This is funny to me, seeing as how Santa Cruz mountain bikes sure ain't cheap, and the run of the mill roadie in California is usually decked out in no less than $2,000 worth of bike, not counting all the other ****(helmet fixed dentists mirror, scrotal chamois, etc etc). There are plenty of "liberal hippie rich kids" in Santa Cruz...
Still, it's a beautiful town and I miss riding my bike down West Cliff and down that trail that leads to the ocean:
But i also rode around on this for 2 years around santa cruz before i got the 29er:
Last edited by nohandlebars; 03-12-15 at 01:58 PM.
#27
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Oh i know, that you werent like directing that towards me or anything. I just hate statements like that in general because its such bs
#32
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Ok. So the title of this post is: "Should I get a Single Speed?"
Let's try and make some sense of this silliness and get the OP an answer to his/her question.
So what have we learned?
1. If you're old, fat, and out of shape do not get a fixie.
2. Be aware of your local scene, and maybe try to fit in.
3. Figure out your gear ratio, start with 42/16
4. Use a flip-flop hub
5. Use a brake, or two
6. Riding up hills sucks because you get sweaty
7. Get a geared bike for windy days
8. It's easier than fixed gear on the UC Santa Cruz campus
Am I missing anything? Hopefully not...
Taking all of this into consideration, I'd say, NO. Don't get a single speed. Why?
Well, because...
1. if you can only afford one bike, and you know you're going to encounter windy days, a multi-geared bike is the way to go
2. if you live near Santa Cruz you may not fit into the local scene
3. if you ride up hills you'll get sweaty
4. if you're old, fat, and out of shape, you'll die
5. figuring out a good gear ratio cost too much money, and you have to wrestle with getting a stuck cog/lockring/freewheel off
There. Get a multi-speed bike. For those days when you want to NOT fit in, in Santa Cruz, just cruise around in one gear (don't shift) and tell everyone you're riding single speed.
Or if you're just toying with the idea of a single-speed/fixed-gear in order to hang with the cool kids, you'll need to relocate to where there's a bunch of "liberal hippie rich kids," like SF, or someplace with a similar scene. And since you're probably not looking to relocate, and I'm certainly not looking for a roommate for my "cozy" SF apartment, you should disregard this last bit and a get multi-speed bike.
Hope that helps.
Let's try and make some sense of this silliness and get the OP an answer to his/her question.
So what have we learned?
1. If you're old, fat, and out of shape do not get a fixie.
2. Be aware of your local scene, and maybe try to fit in.
3. Figure out your gear ratio, start with 42/16
4. Use a flip-flop hub
5. Use a brake, or two
6. Riding up hills sucks because you get sweaty
7. Get a geared bike for windy days
8. It's easier than fixed gear on the UC Santa Cruz campus
Am I missing anything? Hopefully not...
Taking all of this into consideration, I'd say, NO. Don't get a single speed. Why?
Well, because...
1. if you can only afford one bike, and you know you're going to encounter windy days, a multi-geared bike is the way to go
2. if you live near Santa Cruz you may not fit into the local scene
3. if you ride up hills you'll get sweaty
4. if you're old, fat, and out of shape, you'll die
5. figuring out a good gear ratio cost too much money, and you have to wrestle with getting a stuck cog/lockring/freewheel off
There. Get a multi-speed bike. For those days when you want to NOT fit in, in Santa Cruz, just cruise around in one gear (don't shift) and tell everyone you're riding single speed.
Or if you're just toying with the idea of a single-speed/fixed-gear in order to hang with the cool kids, you'll need to relocate to where there's a bunch of "liberal hippie rich kids," like SF, or someplace with a similar scene. And since you're probably not looking to relocate, and I'm certainly not looking for a roommate for my "cozy" SF apartment, you should disregard this last bit and a get multi-speed bike.
Hope that helps.
Last edited by mrblue; 03-12-15 at 02:25 PM.
#34
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^Agreed. Gears will probably make the ride easier/more enjoyable. SSFG is kind of a pain in hilly areas unless you're a strong rider and comfortable with it.
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If you only own one road bike, it should be geared. Single speed bikes are not ideal for riding in hilly areas, windy areas and urban areas where you are constantly stopping and starting. IOW, most riding situations are better served by a geared bike. Now, if you already own a geared bike, then a SSFG type bike can be a lot of fun. I ride mostly fixed gear, but on really windy days I default to my geared bike.
#36
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Ok reason I'm wanting to get a SS is that I have become so dependant on gears when climbing hills on the mountain bike. I want to help train myself to stick in one gear while climbing and at the same time just have fun riding. All of this to say yes I love riding single speed but is it going to help me train myself?
#37
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Ok reason I'm wanting to get a SS is that I have become so dependant on gears when climbing hills on the mountain bike. I want to help train myself to stick in one gear while climbing and at the same time just have fun riding. All of this to say yes I love riding single speed but is it going to help me train myself?
Or are there other reasons? Do tell...
#40
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^True. Just test-ride a lot of ssfg bikes at a LBS? Go mash on some hills and feel it out. Take your time in choosing your purchase