Any 50+ Convert to Single Speed?
#51
Life Feeds On Life
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I have a rigid single speed MTB simple and fun to cruise around.
#53
- Soli Deo Gloria -
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102 miles
2900 ft elevation
16.8 MPH average
6:02 moving time
48x16 fixed
Plenty useful for me.
-Tim-
2900 ft elevation
16.8 MPH average
6:02 moving time
48x16 fixed
Plenty useful for me.
-Tim-
#54
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Interesting thread. I am just getting ready to buy a bike after some years away and living as I do in very flat terrain (central Florida), it's crossed my mind about getting a fixed (which I used to ride constantly many years ago in England). I probably won't do it for my first bike back but certainly in my mind.
#55
Senior Member
I ride geared bikes, but I commute on a SS. Even though some of our hills are a challenge, the simplicity and low-maintenance make SS a great commuting option.
#56
Senior Member
Even if this made any sense, are you aware that you're posting in the Fifty+ forum?
A 17 mile ride anywhere around here would result in 2,000' of climbing with at least one 15+% grade. No way any normal person is going to manage a single speed or fixed gear on that. Might be OK for Kansas, Florida, or other states with unchallenging terrain though.
A 17 mile ride anywhere around here would result in 2,000' of climbing with at least one 15+% grade. No way any normal person is going to manage a single speed or fixed gear on that. Might be OK for Kansas, Florida, or other states with unchallenging terrain though.
#57
You gonna eat that?
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Interesting thread. I am just getting ready to buy a bike after some years away and living as I do in very flat terrain (central Florida), it's crossed my mind about getting a fixed (which I used to ride constantly many years ago in England). I probably won't do it for my first bike back but certainly in my mind.
#58
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Old injuries preclude getting away from gears, if there are any hills to speak of (even very modest grades). That said ...
A handful of years back, I ran a single-speed "big box" type bike for awhile. Given that I only need to do handle flat terrain, that was fine. Simple, reliable, and it worked well in all weather (with the right tires, fenders, lighting).
I do like the simplicity of a well-made single-speed bike. Probably even prefer it. If I were to live in a spot completely devoid of hills, I might well consider doing it again ... though, with a better frame/fork. Until then, it's still gears for me, out of simple necessity.
A handful of years back, I ran a single-speed "big box" type bike for awhile. Given that I only need to do handle flat terrain, that was fine. Simple, reliable, and it worked well in all weather (with the right tires, fenders, lighting).
I do like the simplicity of a well-made single-speed bike. Probably even prefer it. If I were to live in a spot completely devoid of hills, I might well consider doing it again ... though, with a better frame/fork. Until then, it's still gears for me, out of simple necessity.
#59
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Isn't the SF Bay Area an awesome place to ride? The endlessly hilly terrain makes even a trip to the store fun. It no wonder you see so many people on bikes there, it bike Valhalla as far as I'm concerned, too many uber-classic routes to even list, though Grant Peterson tried. He's going up Mt. Diablo on the cover photo:
#60
It's MY mountain
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I'm pretty sure I still have my copy somewhere. It was interesting and fun, I wouldn't call it fantastic though - mostly just maps and elevation profiles with brief descriptions. OK, I'm going to look for it tonight.
Might be fun to re-create that cover photo.
#61
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That cover photo looks very familiar, perhaps the north gate approach to Diablo in the springtime.
#62
Senior Member
Even if this made any sense, are you aware that you're posting in the Fifty+ forum?
A 17 mile ride anywhere around here would result in 2,000' of climbing with at least one 15+% grade. No way any normal person is going to manage a single speed or fixed gear on that. Might be OK for Kansas, Florida, or other states with unchallenging terrain though.
A 17 mile ride anywhere around here would result in 2,000' of climbing with at least one 15+% grade. No way any normal person is going to manage a single speed or fixed gear on that. Might be OK for Kansas, Florida, or other states with unchallenging terrain though.
'Course, those riders may not be "normal persons"!
#63
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I think you mean 37%, since 37 degrees would be 75% and only ascendable using ropes and mountain climbing gear. You are correct that only non-normal persons would be ascending a 37% grade on any kind of bike. Actually, I don't understand how that is even possible since I can't keep my front wheel on the ground while ascending grades over about 25%. Perhaps they do it by weaving back and forth to reduce the actual grade.
#64
Senior Member
I think you mean 37%, since 37 degrees would be 75% and only ascendable using ropes and mountain climbing gear. You are correct that only non-normal persons would be ascending a 37% grade on any kind of bike. Actually, I don't understand how that is even possible since I can't keep my front wheel on the ground while ascending grades over about 25%. Perhaps they do it by weaving back and forth to reduce the actual grade.
I'm hoping to be a "non-normal person" under your definition. We'll see this November.
I think the really competitive riders go straight up, but apparently it is a challenge to keep the front wheel planted on the pavement and NOT have the rear wheel spinning - especially if the roads are wet.
#65
OwainGyndwr
Fuji Del Rey conversion. 48x15 Sugino Messenger cranks and bb. Wellgo dsc pedals, Tektro calipers and levers, Raceblade fenders Topeak Mini Morph fp. Sold it upon moving to NZ.
Viva Legato from EvoCycles NZ. 45x18 Steel frame and fenders. Upgraded saddle to a Brooks B17. Leather grips. Added a seapost rack. Used mostly for utility runs.
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#66
Senior Member
A month before I turned 50 I bought my first single speed out of curiosity more than anything and on the first ride I was hooked. My Wabi Special is now my main bike and my Swobo Accomplice is my rain bike. I run a 46/17 and average speed is about the same as my geared bikes.
Three months ago I ordered a tubular wheelset with Paul hubs for the Wabi. The hubs were supposed to be on back order for six weeks but I'm still waiting.
Three months ago I ordered a tubular wheelset with Paul hubs for the Wabi. The hubs were supposed to be on back order for six weeks but I'm still waiting.
#67
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At around 50, for a couple years my sole bike was a ss rigid 29'r mountain bike. Despite the fact I live where it's very hilly and steep (SoCal mountains), I loved the zen-like simplicity of having just that. I learned really good offroad bike handling skills with it as well. 61 now and I have both a geared and a ss gravel bike, and ride the ss around 50% of the time. I like the different workouts I get with them, especially offroad.
#69
I’m 58 and have two bikes, both SS. I haven’t made a shift in well over a year.
Otto
Otto
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#70
Life Is Good
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One is a standard chain drive single speed, the other is a carbon belt drive single sped.
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#71
Grupetto Bob
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Many of the hills around here go from 6 to 9 and up to 16%. I applaud the lovers of the fixies who can tackle those climbs over a half mile or more.
As I get older, I appreciate even more gears to help me over the hills, but if you can do it on your single speeds, hats off to you. You guys are beyond strong.
As I get older, I appreciate even more gears to help me over the hills, but if you can do it on your single speeds, hats off to you. You guys are beyond strong.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#72
Ss
This is all about gearing. On the Course full of rollers, you can run a pretty low gear to grind the hills and it is mostly a gravity assist on the way down. On flats I ran a 52 20. A little ponderous to start but gets you right into a nice cadence at about 18 mph but you can still get a fast Sprint.
#73
Junior Member
I inherited two 1964 single gear bikes and overhauled them completely. They are fun to ride on the flat trails. I decided to give up my old 1970s Columbia 10 speed because I liked the single speeds so much. Then I had to go up a hill. This was not a problem in my youth. I would have just muscled through the hill. However, I am 65 now and it is not as easy to muscle up hills. So, I invested in a bike with a Sturmey Archer (AW) 3 speed internal gear rear hub. Problem solved. Those internal gear hubs are pretty amazing. I'd like to try a Sturmey Archer 5 star hub with the built in coaster brake some day.
#74
OwainGyndwr
I inherited two 1964 single gear bikes and overhauled them completely. They are fun to ride on the flat trails. I decided to give up my old 1970s Columbia 10 speed because I liked the single speeds so much. Then I had to go up a hill. This was not a problem in my youth. I would have just muscled through the hill. However, I am 65 now and it is not as easy to muscle up hills. So, I invested in a bike with a Sturmey Archer (AW) 3 speed internal gear rear hub. Problem solved. Those internal gear hubs are pretty amazing. I'd like to try a Sturmey Archer 5 star hub with the built in coaster brake some day.
#75
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Let me see, I think I got my first single speed mountain bike frameset in 2009, a red Soul Cycles square tubes aluminum thing. I'm 62 now, and still single speed mostly.
Living in the west Santa Clara Valley, there are hills right out the door, and I ride all the trails up and down on rigid single speeds, and geared bikes too.
I have SS bikes with specific gearing, and actually most of them are dingles.Made me stronger.
Living in the west Santa Clara Valley, there are hills right out the door, and I ride all the trails up and down on rigid single speeds, and geared bikes too.
I have SS bikes with specific gearing, and actually most of them are dingles.Made me stronger.
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