Can I be fast with a singlespeed?
04-21-15, 11:12 PM
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Can I be fast with a singlespeed?
Hi,
I use my trekking to go at work every day, about 20km per day, no hills, no mountains.
I usually use "heavy" gears because I like going fast and the street is flat, so everything is fine.
I really like how singlespeed bikes look but I'm wondering if the gear is to soft to go really fast...and unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here
what do you think?
thanks
I use my trekking to go at work every day, about 20km per day, no hills, no mountains.
I usually use "heavy" gears because I like going fast and the street is flat, so everything is fine.
I really like how singlespeed bikes look but I'm wondering if the gear is to soft to go really fast...and unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here
what do you think?
thanks
04-21-15, 11:19 PM
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Geared bikes can make it easier to be fast, but it's all down to your legs.
When I used to ride singlespeed/fixed the average speeds of my ride weren't that much different than when I switched to road bikes.
When I used to ride singlespeed/fixed the average speeds of my ride weren't that much different than when I switched to road bikes.
04-21-15, 11:24 PM
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04-21-15, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by OP
...unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here...
.
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04-22-15, 02:09 AM
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04-22-15, 02:36 AM
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What's your speed and cadence?
I live in a rather flat area with a few shortish hills. Run just short of 70GI on my FG road bike. On the flats I usually run around the 25kmh marker with occasionally 30kmh when I spin faster. It's fun.
I live in a rather flat area with a few shortish hills. Run just short of 70GI on my FG road bike. On the flats I usually run around the 25kmh marker with occasionally 30kmh when I spin faster. It's fun.
04-22-15, 10:07 AM
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Speed isn't my top priority. Just cruising the bike path were I ride for exercise I will average 1-2 m.p.h faster on my single speed that my touring bike that is not riding loaded I got a touring bike because I am a large guy
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04-22-15, 10:37 AM
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On a flat road and on my fixed gear, I can pass traffic in a 25mph zone on my commute. In fact it is so much fun that it pushes me to go even faster. You can be fast with one gear, easily.
04-22-15, 01:25 PM
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My commute is basically the same. I climb faster on the SS/FG, but my touring rig has taller gears for the flats.
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04-22-15, 02:07 PM
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A few years ago I was in a road omnium that had an out-and-back TT along a canal path. I don't have a TT bike and didn't want to mess with my road bike so I did the TT on my fixed gear. I put on aerobars and a 52x15 gear. Personal PR for that course.
04-22-15, 05:56 PM
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nope. everyone's lying about going fast to look cool. single speeds can't be fast it's like always being stuck in first gear in a car. 
04-23-15, 02:36 AM
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04-27-15, 06:09 PM
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i have my TT bike set up w/ 53x15 for the street (Fixed).. with a brake. it's not as demanding as many like to believe ....provided you flow smoothly, and time the lights.
04-27-15, 06:56 PM
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04-27-15, 07:59 PM
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Well if you're running single speed you could still run a very heavy ratio given your ability to coast, but as was said, it's all in your legs pal
04-29-15, 03:38 PM
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04-29-15, 03:46 PM
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04-29-15, 03:53 PM
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Terminology. The term single speed is understood to mean a single cog freewheel, which is illegal on the track, as are brakes which would be required to stop a single speed, unless you intend to drag your feet on the ground. Fixed gear is understood to mean a cog mounted directly to the hub w/o a freewheel, which permits stopping w/o brakes. This is important because the OP is clearly intending to ride a single freewheel with brakes, so the velodrome reference is irrelevant to the discussion.