Tempted by a single speed MTB commuter?

[warp9]

I can't believe I'm asking this as I find the whole fixie scene a bit daft and always thought that if anyone wants to use a single speed for training then just pick one gear.

However, I went to Centre Parcs at the weekend and hired a bike with kiddie seat on the back which only came as a single speed, non suspension, MTB type thing. And absolutely loved it.

So much so that I'm now considering getting one for my daily commute (4 - 7 miles) and general urban use.

So my question is does anyone have this type of setup for regular use and what do you think of it?

[Gren]

Still don't see why you would. What was it about it that you loved? Did it being a singlespeed have anything to do with this or was it simply a holiday effect.

Surely a 1x9/10 would be a far better prospect. If you wanted to 'pretend' you were on a SS you could and you could up the gear as you got fitter.

[warp9]

I suppose the holiday effect came into it. But I did like the no faff, go anywhere approach and think it's going to be easier to maintain. I am concerned that in reality i'd find it frustrating with a lack of gearing options.

[gradeA]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...



£245!? Yes please...

[shouldbworking]

gradeA said:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...



£245!? Yes please...

Been waiting for them to get the 29er back in stock in my size for months!

EBC also have a good range of similar stuff.. eyeing up one of their cx bikes at the moment
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/revolutio...

[prand]

I've converted my old Marin to single speed, and put slicks on for road/commuting use and it's great, from memory i'm running 44/16 teeth on the front/back cogs which gives me a reasonble top speed without spinning out, and setting off and climbing the moderate hills on my route to work are not too difficult.

Ease of use, you get on and ride, and low maintenance are the biggest appeals. I'm not interested in a fixie as I don't think I could live without a freewheel.

I really like these purpose built single speeds, great value. why would you need 30 gears on a level-ish commute?

[warp9]

prand said:

I've converted my old Marin to single speed, and put slicks on for road/commuting use and it's great, from memory i'm running 44/16 teeth on the front/back cogs which gives me a reasonble top speed without spinning out, and setting off and climbing the moderate hills on my route to work are not too difficult.

Ease of use, you get on and ride, and low maintenance are the biggest appeals. I'm not interested in a fixie as I don't think I could live without a freewheel.

I really like these purpose built single speeds, great value. why would you need 30 gears on a level-ish commute?

Good feedback, thanks for that.

So I decided to have a test run last night and this morning by only riding in one gear on the commute - large front cog, 3/8 on the rear (sorry I don't know my gear ratio's!). Mixed feelings
1) I found the downhills a bit frustrating as I topped out very quickly and missed dropping the gears for extra speed. I am a long way from riding a fixie, free wheeling at this point is a must.
2) I at least maintained my usual average cruising speed, although obviously my cadence was higher. This felt easier in that I could get speed down quicker and easier to spin the peddles. Because of this I rode in quicker, although am not sure if that was just because I was 'up for it' or because single speed pushes you to ride faster?
3) Hills became an enjoyable challenge, I rode them faster and harder.

So I think I'll try this for a little while longer to see if the novelty wears off.

GradeA and shouldbeworking, thanks for those bike links, they are pretty much bang on what I was thinking.