Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - new to single speed

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kenseth03
12-30-07, 07:54 PM
I am just wondering what is up with this new single speed trend. Is it just good for running around town or is there more to this. Do you guys ride these bikes on long distance rides or what? I have seen some of your rides on this forum and they look tough. I am considering building one. Hope this question doesn't sound stupid but I am just curious about this. Also, I saw the SE Draft for $200 at my LBS. Is this bike any good?

raster
12-30-07, 07:57 PM
Welcome to the forum, my friend. Read up as much as you can, your questions will be answered. Hell, we'll even answer questions you didn't know you had.
ralphm2k
12-30-07, 08:00 PM
Buy a huge Chrome bag first.

MrCjolsen
12-30-07, 08:11 PM
Fixed gear is sort of like a religion. There are two denominations, braked and brakeless. They often have heated theological arguments.

Some do long rides. Others use their fixed gear bikes just for bombing around town. Personally, if it's not too windy I prefer my fixed gear to my road bike.

No. The SE Draft isn't any good. Ashtabula bottom brackets (usually only seen on department store bikes) and no fixed gear capability make it pretty substandard.

Get the SE Lager or one of the SSFG bikes at bikesdirect.com and you will be much happier.
jgedwa
12-30-07, 08:17 PM
I think the Draft is the worst bike concept in many years. jim
K_phomma
12-30-07, 08:18 PM
Don't be afraid to ask about things but be prepared to be flamed by the SSFG flamers...
edzo
12-30-07, 08:23 PM
learn and love ultra-high rpm's. so much you want to kill yourself.

then do more, faster, longer. forever.

now go ride a geared bike and you'll have more kung-fu than you know
what to do with, and you'll never get rid of the singlespeed
MrCjolsen
12-30-07, 08:49 PM
Don't be afraid to ask about things but be prepared to be flamed by the SSFG flamers...

More often, however, it's just a contest of who can be the biggest smartass. Feel free to compete.
Suttree
12-30-07, 09:14 PM
I am just wondering what is up with this new single speed trend. Is it just good for running around town or is there more to this. Do you guys ride these bikes on long distance rides or what? I have seen some of your rides on this forum and they look tough. I am considering building one. Hope this question doesn't sound stupid but I am just curious about this. Also, I saw the SE Draft for $200 at my LBS. Is this bike any good?

If by single speed you mean fixed gear it has been around for a long time, here's a good place to start
your induction into the cult: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html Roadies use fixed gear bikes to train.
People who need or merely desire simple, fast bikes for bombing around town for work, fun, or fashion ride em. People ride long distances on them. The original TDF was on fixed gear for a while. This person rode the PBP on a fg: http://sheldonbrown.com/pbp-emily-obrien.html

People will wax philosophical about the zen of fg or whatever. The long and short of it is that without a freewheel you get more subtle control over the bike's speed and you can do various fun tricks that are impossible on bikes with a freewheel. When you pedal backwards you can
make a fg go backwards, and you with it unless you fall over. The bike may also make you work harder, with noticeable results--unless you negate those results with beer, in which case bottoms up.