Thoughts on Singlespeed for 100km
Discussion
Hello all,
I have a conundrum at the moment. In June there's a charity cycle event going on in London (central, assume flatish? Londons flat; right?) that as the title suggests is 100km. At the moment I ride a freeride bike for AM (CUBE Hanzz) and am relatively bike fit. I originally thought, I'll just do it on the CUBE with some slicks on it. It was pointed out though that this would be very hard work. Not a problem again I thought, I don't particularly want it to be easy (hold that thought) but the one thing that did resonate was that I was likely to finish about 3 hours after everyone else given the 7" of travel that would absorbing my every pedal stroke. I want a challenge but I also want someone to be at the finish line when I get there.
Like I said I don't want to breeze it - this bring me onto what I'm looking to do it on. I've fallen in love with this
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPKOJ/on_one_pom...
I like the brand, I love the thought of the simplicity and lightness of a SS (not fixie). I'd use it all year round rather than just for this specific event so it will get used plenty as a training bike and the odd jaunt for fun with the boys etc.
Question is; is a SS really a viable option for a do it all bike? my main focus and focus of answers I'd like will refer to the 100km event as that's what I'll initially be buying it for. Feel free to expand though. I know nothing about road bikes and my budget is fixed around £500 for the bike, a bit more for shoes and clipless pedals. With the correct gear (cog) can I breeze it and enjoy every second of the event or will it be as much of a ball ache as the freeride bike due to the lack of gear options?
As an aside, I idly popped into Sunset Cycles today (as you do) and was impressed with how much road bike with 498 gears £5-600 gets you. Big names, Lapierre, Trek etc But the thought of getting 'the technically correct bike for the job' just doesn't seem to appeal, I want the Pompino!
Cheers in advance bro's
I have a conundrum at the moment. In June there's a charity cycle event going on in London (central, assume flatish? Londons flat; right?) that as the title suggests is 100km. At the moment I ride a freeride bike for AM (CUBE Hanzz) and am relatively bike fit. I originally thought, I'll just do it on the CUBE with some slicks on it. It was pointed out though that this would be very hard work. Not a problem again I thought, I don't particularly want it to be easy (hold that thought) but the one thing that did resonate was that I was likely to finish about 3 hours after everyone else given the 7" of travel that would absorbing my every pedal stroke. I want a challenge but I also want someone to be at the finish line when I get there.
Like I said I don't want to breeze it - this bring me onto what I'm looking to do it on. I've fallen in love with this
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CBOOPOMPKOJ/on_one_pom...
I like the brand, I love the thought of the simplicity and lightness of a SS (not fixie). I'd use it all year round rather than just for this specific event so it will get used plenty as a training bike and the odd jaunt for fun with the boys etc.
Question is; is a SS really a viable option for a do it all bike? my main focus and focus of answers I'd like will refer to the 100km event as that's what I'll initially be buying it for. Feel free to expand though. I know nothing about road bikes and my budget is fixed around £500 for the bike, a bit more for shoes and clipless pedals. With the correct gear (cog) can I breeze it and enjoy every second of the event or will it be as much of a ball ache as the freeride bike due to the lack of gear options?
As an aside, I idly popped into Sunset Cycles today (as you do) and was impressed with how much road bike with 498 gears £5-600 gets you. Big names, Lapierre, Trek etc But the thought of getting 'the technically correct bike for the job' just doesn't seem to appeal, I want the Pompino!
Cheers in advance bro's
I've been riding single speed since the beginning of November, done well over 1000 miles since then and loving it. No gears to worry about, very little maintenance and running cost so far is nil. My longest cycle to date on the S/S is 89 miles on 2nd January with over 5000 feet of elevation.
Click
You just need to make sure you get a gear that suits you and pedal away until you're finished your 100k
Click
You just need to make sure you get a gear that suits you and pedal away until you're finished your 100k
I've done 200km events on fixed before, and plenty of people go much further - I think fixedwheelnut on here has done LEL (1400km) on fixed. I've done more miles on my fixed than any of my other bikes in the last year.
Ypu'll be fine with SS.
Don't get those flared drops tho'. Be like wearing a parachute.
Ypu'll be fine with SS.
Don't get those flared drops tho'. Be like wearing a parachute.
On one is a bit too much style over substance, the genesis day one is better suited for longer days in the saddle.
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/urba...
http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/adventure/urba...
I did the Nightrider (100km) last year on a single speed with nobbly tyres. I'm guessing if you're not doing that then it must be similar route anyway.
There aren't really any hills to worry about, you're more likely to knacker a knee having to start off from all the lights you stop at.
There aren't really any hills to worry about, you're more likely to knacker a knee having to start off from all the lights you stop at.
If it's just in London, you'll be fine on an SS, although standard gearing may be too small depending on your fitness/strength. I use an SS daily in London but have taken it out to the Surrey hills a few times and you struggle to keep up on the ups and downs because it's harder up and you don't have the gears down so the worst of both worlds. Those bars look horrendous though, please put standard ones on it 
If you are going SS then bite the bullet and go fixed. You will be fine for the London 100k ride but will also become a far better rider over time, will be more intune/aware of your surroundings because you'll have to be. You'll save your knees from pushing big gears in the winter, will develop supplesse and learn the art of "twiddling" now known as spinning. Riding fixed is one thing, riding it well is what makes you a far more accomplished rider.
Plus, Herne Hill starts in 5 weeks so you'll be ready for the season to start!
Plus, Herne Hill starts in 5 weeks so you'll be ready for the season to start!
ro55a said:
If you are going SS then bite the bullet and go fixed. You will be fine for the London 100k ride but will also become a far better rider over time, will be more intune/aware of your surroundings because you'll have to be. You'll save your knees from pushing big gears in the winter, will develop supplesse and learn the art of "twiddling" now known as spinning. Riding fixed is one thing, riding it well is what makes you a far more accomplished rider.
Plus, Herne Hill starts in 5 weeks so you'll be ready for the season to start!
Definitely true about awareness. I feel much safer riding in traffic on fixed because I'm already hyper alert.Plus, Herne Hill starts in 5 weeks so you'll be ready for the season to start!
wow thanks guys I really appreciate all your replies, I've learnt something from each post. The good news it seems is it's a resounding yes; which is great news 
A few things that stand out and that I'd like to reply to, the Genesis. Nice bike but looks a little too 'utilitarian' for me. The On One reminds me of a cafe racer (if that makes any sense) and the Day One is ever so slightly less pretty. Getting on a bit on price too.
I really like the handlebars
I wouldn't have thought the angle of them would create any more drag than standard droppers. They're only small anyway!
Hmm fixie has been thrown into the mix. Darn you all. My first thoughts are it's too much like hard work, I see myself piling into the side of a car that crosses my path because I cant stop and/or being locked into perceptual motion against my will. This is of course very subjective and could go on all day with pros/cons. I could potentially buy two back wheels with both types of hub and give it a go.
Then there's the question of attire. That's a new thread all together though.
Annoying thing is I could buy it now but the wife will remove my head or destroy my brain
A few things that stand out and that I'd like to reply to, the Genesis. Nice bike but looks a little too 'utilitarian' for me. The On One reminds me of a cafe racer (if that makes any sense) and the Day One is ever so slightly less pretty. Getting on a bit on price too.
I really like the handlebars
I wouldn't have thought the angle of them would create any more drag than standard droppers. They're only small anyway!Hmm fixie has been thrown into the mix. Darn you all. My first thoughts are it's too much like hard work, I see myself piling into the side of a car that crosses my path because I cant stop and/or being locked into perceptual motion against my will. This is of course very subjective and could go on all day with pros/cons. I could potentially buy two back wheels with both types of hub and give it a go.
Then there's the question of attire. That's a new thread all together though.
Annoying thing is I could buy it now but the wife will remove my head or destroy my brain
Edited by squareflops on Monday 13th January 21:20
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff