Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Try out singlespeed, or stay fixed until spring.

I've got my flip flop wheelset with a freewheel waiting on the other side. I've ridden fixed exclusively because I've never had brakes. All of a sudden, I find myself very curious what it's like to ride my bike singlespeed, I've never done that before, unless you count my other coaster brake bike. I want to see how far I can roll. I want to test my bearings.

However, I am afraid to let brake pads touch my pretty ($$$) wheels with bad weather.

What would you guys do?

p.s. I've already got the calipers, cables and levers, would just like to get new pads for them.

Thanks,
Jess

Stay fixed - you have better control on ice that way. You don't want to start the slide back to coasting - next thing you know you'll be putting on deraillers and brakes, and that would just be wrong...

Yeah, my bike kicks booty in the snow/ice! I'm just so curious, though!

Funny thing, I am sort of thinking about getting a cyclocross rear wheel, maybe a nice Ringle cassette hub, 7 speed, and slappin' it on there for an MS 150 ride. It wouldn't be much work.

Ok, bring it on now! I'll be hearin' it I'm sure! ;)

For the 150 here in Ohio, I would stay single speed. Don't let the distance decieve you, ITS ALL FLAT!! Just get a nice comfy gear that will give you about 15-17 mph with a medium cadence and pray for good weather.

After riding fixed for a few months I tried out my poor dusty SS mtb. Felt all wrong, I kept thinking my chain broke. Give it a shot, you will always wonder if you don't.

You don't want to start the slide back to coasting - next thing you know you'll be putting on deraillers and brakes, and that would just be wrong...

I don't know about that. I built up a six-speed for longer rides/ days when I feel lazy, and I just hated it. Too complicated, too many annoying clicking sounds, no pretty chainline, etc. So I busted the six-speed down to a singlespeed and I'm happy. It'll never supplant the fixed gear, but it's nice enough to ride that if I want to take the fixie out of commission for a few days for upgrades and parts swaps, I still enjoy riding. Also, when it's punishingly cold, as it has been in Boston of late, I can slack a little some days, which is helpful.

So all I'm saying is, a freewheel need not be a terrible slippery slope.

Wait til spring!

For the 150 here in Ohio, I would stay single speed. Don't let the distance decieve you, ITS ALL FLAT!! Just get a nice comfy gear that will give you about 15-17 mph with a medium cadence and pray for good weather.

i second that, especially if you are talking about the maumee-port clinton ride. i've done several ms society-supported centuries here in michigan, which is only slightly more mountainous than northwest ohio, fixed at 50:17 and not regretted it for an instant.

So all I'm saying is, a freewheel need not be a terrible slippery slope.
Blasphemer!!

Wait for spring if you don't want to get stuff gunked up.

Just because you want to coast doesn't make you a bad person, or a traitor to the fixie cause :c)

You have the parts so give it a try...pads won't hose your rim all that much unless they get really imbedded with crap...bet you don't like it as much as fixed, though!

Do It! It'll make you appreciate your fixed gear that much more.