Mountain Biking - Single Speed, Fixed Gear? What Do I Need?

Hi Ya'll,

I currently own a Marin Hawk Hill that I got for a sweet deal($290 NEW including shipping from Sierra Trading Post). I've ridden it a few times, but it gets so hot down here(New Orleans) that I can't bring myself to take it out much. I've been looking at some other bikes online and have seen a single speed bike that I was interested in. Is a single speed like the Schwinn Stingray of my youth...meaning no gears, just pedal and the faster my legs move, the faster the bike goes? What is a fixed gear bike? I wouldn't mind having a decent Mtn bike with no gears or shifting. I live in New Orleans, like I said, and we don't have any hills or trails to really speak of. I'd rather have a bike that I can just cruise around the park, the neighborhood, occasionally the bike trail, which is about 20 miles away, etc. Would a single speed be good for me? I'll be honest, I'm a mtb newb for the most part and I don't really understand much about the shifting and gears on my bike anyway. I usually put it in a gear I'm comfortable with at a good pace, and leave it there the whole time.

Thanks!

If you want one bike to do well on the road and on the trails, I couldn't see riding a single speed or fixed gear.

For one or the other it works great, but the gear differential required is too different, in my opinion.

The gear that would be good on a trail would be to small for the street, and vice versa.%

So what's wrong with putting the bike in a suitable gear and leaving it there as long as the conditions remain the same? Just because you have gears doesn't mean you must be constantly shifting. Use whatever gear is appropriate for the circumstances...hills, wind, and such.


I don't really understand much about the shifting and gears on my bike anyway. The basic principle is simple: If pedaling is too difficult, shift to a lower gear; if pedaling is too easy, shift to a higher gear; if it feels good, leave it alone.

Fixed gear bikes have no freewheeling...you can't coast.

You already have one bike you don't ride due to the heat so you want a second? I don't get it.