Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - whatcha think about some new wheels?

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BlindRobert
12-17-04, 09:46 AM
I am about to go order my new Phil-based wheelset, probably at BikeWorks. I am going to have them laced to a mavic cxp series rim (silver) 36 hole, 3-cross.

My question is about the rear hub: single-fixed, fixed-free, double-fixed. What do you other bike folks think? Obviously fixed/free is the most versatile, but I have never ridden with an SS/freewheel yet...haven't even had the desire to. These wheels will be used on my 70's Paramount track bike. I have only been into the fixe/track thing for about 6 months now, so I am sure there are aspects of this decision that haven't occured to me.

Maybe I scrap the idea and build some wheels around an older campy "sherriff's badge" hubset (NR?). There are always lots of those, NOS, on eBay...and they look sweet!

Ya Tu Sabes
12-17-04, 09:49 AM
Fixed-fixed is better. You can still run a freewheel on one side, but you have the option of running two different fixed cogs, which is nice.
HereNT
12-17-04, 09:49 AM
Obviously fixed/free is the most versatile

Nope - fix/fix is most versatile. You can thread a freewheel onto a fixed hub safely, but not the other way around...

BlindRobert
12-17-04, 09:52 AM
just as I suspected: I DONT know everything!

...or much at all, really.

Thanks!
junioroverlord
12-17-04, 09:56 AM
I'm thinking back to a thread we had a few months ago concerned who flips thier flop. I distinctly remember like...maybe two people actually bother with it. I know I wouldn't. Then again you can get a flip flop hub for about the same price as a straight up track hub, so I guess do what makes you happy.
bostontrevor
12-17-04, 11:32 AM
I also remember that thread. I have a flip flop on my street bike with nothing on the flop side.

On the other hand, I have a SS mtb that I really wish had a flip flop. I have to ride to the trailhead and would love to have a higher gear.

So it really comes down to a) is there an appreciable price difference between a single-sided and flip-flop version of the hub? Probably not. and b) do you anticipate extended periods where you would need different gears. For example, if you live in a generally hilly area, you'd probably never flip your wheel because you'd have to climb the hill, then flip it back, descend, and repeat at the next hill. Not really practical. But if you lived at the near a mountain or something, you might ride one gear normally but then have a lower gear on the other side that you would switch to when you want to go up into the mountains.