Commuting - I single speeded it to work today

Hello All,

I have been revamping the Nishiki I am waiting for money so I can get these drops that I saw at the LBS for 35 dollars. So I cut all the cables to get it ready due to no money it has been sitting on the bench for the last couple weeks. The roadie I have been commuting on started clicking horribly. On top of that I need to carry a lot of stuff today 30 lbs worth so I removed the derailluers and singled it I love it :)

Ryan

Cool. I've had lots of fun riding my SS road bike to work this summer.

I like how quite it is that is my favorite part of it

I like how quite it is that is my favorite part of it

Depends which freewheel you buy. Shimano's are quiet. ACS freewheels are useful on the MUP for waking up dog walkers. Just a little backpedal and they make quite a racket.

I know what you mean. I also recently repacked the rear hub too also the rear derailleur on the bike was noisey I think the little black cogs needed to be replaced.

I rarely ride my geared bike anymore. For my commute, SS/Fixed is the way to go.

The bike seems faster with out derailleur in my opnion maybe. All I need to do is make it a true SS conversion

I'm going to be building an SS/FG commuter for my next bike.
Until then I may just convert my current beast since I only use the 46/17 combo.
I think it would be an easy conversion:
- Pop the derailleurs off, take off the 28T and 36T rings. Remove shifters and cables.
- Get a spacer kit and rebuild the cassette to the proper chainline.
- Pop a Singleator tensioner on, and refit the chain. (bike has semi-horizontal drops, but they're too short for proper adjustments w/o a tensioner.)

Sounds like a fun project clifton. I ruined a link in the chain by putting the pin back it isn't to bent. I don't think I could do a FG with some of the loads I carry it would scare the crap out of me not to coast down a hill with 3o lbs on the back of the bike

The bike seems faster with out derailleur in my opnion maybe. All I need to do is make it a true SS conversion
I don't feel my fixies are faster, per se, than my geared bikes... But they sure do feel more efficient. And time over distance is nearly identical for my average ride.

I much prefer them for my commute.

When the wheels wear out on my current commuter, I'll be converting from 6-speed dura ace to a set of track wheels. Fixed is good, but I go through fast areas where I absolutely have a to from 42t to 52t. I just know if I convert to fixed it would just take longer to get to work. However, once the wheels I have are too bent up, I can either relace the campy hubs to new rims or just go with track wheels.

Try a 46. Spin faster on the downhills, become a man for the up variety ;)

Try a 46. Spin faster on the downhills, become a man for the up variety ;)
:D

Sounds like a fun project clifton. I ruined a link in the chain by putting the pin back it isn't to bent. I don't think I could do a FG with some of the loads I carry it would scare the crap out of me not to coast down a hill with 3o lbs on the back of the bike

That's what brakes are for ;)

I did the single speed thing for about 6 months before I went fixed gear. I've not looked back. I love it. But, its not for everybody. And to pre-empt ILTB's banter: There are so many other options: Coaster brake, geared hub, penny farthing, push scooter, etc.

Sounds like a fun project clifton. I ruined a link in the chain by putting the pin back it isn't to bent. I don't think I could do a FG with some of the loads I carry it would scare the crap out of me not to coast down a hill with 3o lbs on the back of the bike
The SS/FG project is going to be build on a flip/flop rear, with the SS for the commute and the FG for weekend training and my after work rides to the rock-climbing wall. I don't carry too much on my commute since I have a really big locker here at work. Lunch, some papers, and maybe my extra rain gear if it's supposed to pour in the afternoon. I could do the fixie thing on the way in because it's flat until the last 3/4 mile, which is an uphill. Then there's just a 200m downhill that I can ride the brakes to get to the parking lot. It's the 3/4 mile downhill on the way home that would be a big challenge when first starting out on a fixie. That's what I'll want the freewheel for. That's why I think converting my Stumpjumper will be a good project until I can afford to build a new bike.

Sounds like fun. Thats cool that you rock climb I love it I wish there was somewhere arround here I could do it. I loved teaching reppelling this summer. The stump jumper will be the ultimate urban utility vehicle a 3UV have fun :) I got to figure how to get rid of the extra sprockets then get the right bolts for losing the extra chain wheel

The SS/FG project is going to be build on a flip/flop rear, with the SS for the commute and the FG for weekend training and my after work rides to the rock-climbing wall.
...


I'm thinking the same thing, but my problem is I want fenders and a rack on the commuter and not on the weekend fixed gear "trainer".

I think what I want is a SS with fenders and rack for commuting and a stripped down light weight fixed gear for the weekend. Always thinking of a reason to have another bike. :D

For the weekend

http://bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/25333b4a76.jpg

For the Commute

http://www.irocycle.com/imagelib/robroybikeTT.jpg

I found a reason to buy two new bikes :)

SS, IMHO, is wussing out.
Get an inefficient derailleur, stay with 1 gear, then ride it that way. :p

I've been SS'ing to work like that (geared bike sans derailleurs) for about a month or so now...it does feel faster to me. I think its something to do with the gearing I chose. I probably wouldn't spend more than 50% of my time in that gear if I had gears to shift...but since I don't have a choice, I ride the speed of that gear all the time.

I did notice a .5 mph increase in average speed on my cyclocomputer when I did the conversion too.

but man is it nice not having to fret over my derailleur once a week (usually at an inconvenient time) like I used to.

Yeah, I would like to fix it but I don't have any money. I know there is some freewheel conversions you can do. I am sure they would work fine, but I would rather trust my self to a dedicated track hub. I don't want to be stopping then something decides to come loose then walla I am screwed

Yes, that is an eye opener. My new Pista cog/lockring wasn't quite tight, and I had a little "oh, carp!" moment Monday when a car pulled out and I resisted HARD. Later on that ride I tightened the cog back up by standing on it up a big hill. Nearly flung myself off the front when my legs spun forward but the bike didn't.

A few skid/stand maneuvers to tighten the cog and a little tighty-tighty on the lockring and I'm back to a solid fix. But I wouldn't trust anything short of a real track hub with lockring after that escapade.

(my Pista's brakeless at the moment, btw).

Nice little stable of bikes there, ryanparrish. I'm going for a San Jose, I think, to add to my Pista (and would replace my Giant Bowery). Pista for sunny days, San Jose for the rest.

Thanks for the comment on the stable. I would like to have a Bianchi Pista or the San Jose. I wish I won the powerball then my basement would be filled with bikes. I think for christmas I am going to ask for a 700C wheel set for the nishiki. It sure is nice when parents still like to give you gifts especially when I don't live at their house. :)

SS, IMHO, is wussing out. :p


Just this week, I just converted a big old Fuji road bike from 1982 to a singlespeed, and I have to say, 'void: Maybe you're right? But only in the sense that I went singlespeed because I thought it would have less of a steep learning curve than a fixed gear. (An intellectualized way of saying "I wussed out.") I figured I'd do like Rykoala: singlespeed for a few months and then go fixed. But while I love the quiet and the simplicity and the look of the bike...it's damn hard! The Manhattan bridge (on a pretty light gearing of 42x16) is a mild killer. And when I make it to the open 33 blocks up First Avenue (I can hit all the green lights on the road bike), well, I feel as if I need a smaller cog, I'm spinning so fast. I guess I need to give it more than a week.

My question to the fixed riders who have singlespeed experience: are hills easier on a singlespeed or a fixie? are they the same? Am I asking the wrong question?

Easier on a fixie cause you have the momentum assisting you up on the pedals.

I guess that's something you just have to experience to understand, because I can't get my head around the logic of it. But I'm glad to hear it. When two fixies bombed up the bridge right past me this morning, I was hoping there was a reason other than I am weak.

My question to the fixed riders who have singlespeed experience: are hills easier on a singlespeed or a fixie? are they the same? Am I asking the wrong question?

I tried going single speed for about a week when my knees were hurting a bit, and it helped my knees. I went from 48/17 fixed to 48/20 free. Hills were harder, believe it or not. I was slower, and it really wasn't any fun.

My advice to you would be to try a higher gear. 42/15 maybe? for me 73 gear inches is my sweet spot. 42/15 will get you around there.

I just think I'm not a math person. My singlespeed is 42x16 (on 27" wheels), which is a little more than 71 inches. That's tough going up hills. Now, a 42X15 is nearly 78 inches; that's going to be even tougher going uphill, isn't it? Would I feel the same way about this gearing if the bike was fixed?

I usually hit the bridges with my 52x17, 82 gear inches. But when I don't feel so hot, I slam it back into the middle ring, 42x17, BAM! 66 gear inches on demand. Laziness rules.

My question to the fixed riders who have singlespeed experience: are hills easier on a singlespeed or a fixie? are they the same? Am I asking the wrong question?

I don't think hills are easier fixed than SS. I do feel the flats are a tad easier, but hills... Naah. You're just weak.

The good news: ride this way for a month or so and your strength will increase, QUICKLY.

I do feel the flats are a tad easier, but hills... Naah. You're just weak.

Ducati! Thanks. You're like the bullying military dad I never had. :rolleyes:
And even after a week of this, I could swear that my legs are changing. I'm gonna look like Wolverine by springtime. At least from the waist to the knees....

Ducati! Thanks. You're like the bullying military dad I never had. :rolleyes:
And even after a week of this, I could swear that my legs are changing. I'm gonna look like Wolverine by springtime. At least from the waist to the knees....

They are. You'll be passing gearies up hills in a few more weeks. :D

Be sure to eat your protein!!

(I went through this earlier in the summer as I picked up Fixed... So I only speak from loving experience) ;)

They are. You'll be passing gearies up hills in a few more weeks. :D

Be sure to eat your protein!!

(I went through this earlier in the summer as I picked up Fixed... So I only speak from loving experience) ;)


By the way, good-looking blog. Curious about the name, though. Have you ever heard of Loplop? It was the name the surrealist painter Max Ernst gave to a terrifying bird he couldn't stop himself from painting over and over. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loplop

According to sheldon brown's site,

42/15=75.6
42/16=70.9

So it would be a bit tougher, yes. May or may not make it easier. I find the bigger gears easier only because I get up the hill that much faster lol.

By the way, good-looking blog. Curious about the name, though. Have you ever heard of Loplop? It was the name the surrealist painter Max Ernst gave to a terrifying bird he couldn't stop himself from painting over and over. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loplop

Thanks! Lop is my alter ego, too. Just a name I created for my first Wizardry character waaaaay back in the early 80s. Easy and fast to type. It's kinda been my signature ever since. I learned of loplop in college, but back in the 80s my early youngster brain made that up.

I imagine someday my noggin will crack and I'll be painting lop, too. Compelled. I can see that.

:D

I rode 46x17 today, I've been exacerbating hip pain with the 48x16 on my Pista lately. Do be careful about how high of a gear you push. Getting old (if you can call >30 old) sucks ;)

And even after a week of this, I could swear that my legs are changing. I'm gonna look like Wolverine by springtime. At least from the waist to the knees....


I have that problem right now. Allsummer long of cycling and not eating the best the fat had to go somewhere

I went singlespeed because I thought it would have less of a steep learning curve than a fixed gear.

Don't know about others' experiences, but for me the first fifteen or so miles after I went fixed were pretty scary. However, the comfort level went WAY up after that & by now it feels just how I hoped it would. (I switched about a month ago and have probably logged 150 miles or so since then). I say if you have the means to go fixed now, do it. (BTW, I'd recommend doing it at the very beginning of the weekend so you have time to go on lots of short rides while you get acquainted with the new setup before attempting a commute.) The hills probably aren't objectively any easier fixed vs. SS, but you'll notice yourself getting into much better shape (and probably drop a few pounds if you've got any to spare), so the hills FEEL much easier. This happens almost immediately. Plus your technique will automatically improve by going to fixed. There are still rare occasions when I can appreciate why it would be nice to coast, but overall it's even more fun and cathartic to ride now. I for one am grateful I made the switch.

I agree, my first few miles of fixed were absolutely terrifying. I started out by going to an empty grocery store parking lot and just riding around, making a point not to use my brakes. Fast, slow, slower, faster, etc. Eventually I was comfy enough to go around the block with it. Then, the next day, I did my commute with it. I thought I was going to die! After a week or so it felt natural. Now its no big deal and I just like it :)

I don't feel my fixies are faster, per se, than my geared bikes... But they sure do feel more efficient. And time over distance is nearly identical for my average ride.

I much prefer them for my commute.


ditto - - when i went SS, REALLY noticed a big difference in efficiency

feels great!

so nice not to worry about derrailler

I switched over the singlespeed for a week and then to fixed week and I have to say that I am eyeing the rest of the stable and thinking about ripping every derailer, cassette and extra chainrings off now. Well almost all of them. I still need one geared machine to ride in the hills around here.

I like the simple look of them. And they are so much lighter now!

Yeah after a week of straigt of SS riding my legs hurt ohhhhhhhh

I started riding fixed (42x16/17 fix/fix flip flop) and I really like it a lot better than derailurred bikes. I've never tried SS, so I can't weigh in on which is better, although in general they both look nice withouth that deraillur, but mine isn't a nice looking bike. With MTB fenders (soon to be mismatched full steel fenders) and a rack, it's my fugly duckling.

I started out 42/17, then had to take out a link, and did 42/16 until my chain stretched enough to flip it again (new chain)... I flipped it yesterday, and MAN it's nice to power up those hills. I might end up doing a 15/17 flip-flop so I can turn it around for long-flat rides.