Ridefreemc

Lot's of discussion about 16 inch wheels vs. 20, steel vs. aluminum, but what about those of you that have single speeds and love them? I am contemplating going that direction for the simplicity and lighter weight, but fear what I don't know. Of course I grew up on single speeds (coaster brakes) and survived, but feel I have gotten spoiled with all the gears available to me. I find myself shifting often even on flat sections of our MUP!

Anyway, I would like opinions on this.

BTW - use = every day bike back and forth to work + multiday trips lightly loaded for me.

ThorUSA

I like gears ... but the simplicity of a single is indeed amazing ....
hence I immediately put 2 speed automatcs into a whole lot of them ..lol
I prefere freewheel version, but I actually sell more upgraded coaster wheels

thor

HGR3inOK

So do I.

-HANK RYAN-
Norman, Oklahoma USA

shrooms

No, thanks. Not even interested in any triple speed bikes.

jur

I went SS for a long time on my 30km one way commute. With some hills in there, one thing it very quickly taught me is to be able to stand on the pedals for extended periods. Before SS I could hardly maintain a minute, now I routinely do 10 or even beyond 20min. That is now one of my most valuable skills. Standing effectively gives me double the number of gears; for every gear suitable for seated use, it can be used on steeper slopes while standing.

For lightly loaded tours, feasible, but you need to watch the hills and practice standing.

Ridefreemc

I would prefer that over the coaster brake as it is lighter (of course I'l put rim brakes on).

Are you responding to Thor? Not understanding otherwise.

Good advise based on good experience!

ThorUSA

triple speed bikes.... I am sure I can make something like that, but same as you I am not that much interested ..lol

weight coaster or freewheel hub in 2 speed automatix version is about the same .... maybe freewheel a little more as you should add a secong rear brake to the bike.

:-)
thor

invisiblehand

If you have multiple bikes, then having one for particular rides where the gears are unnecessary is a good idea. Especially for folding bikes since it reduces the number of cables, maintenance, and weight. 99% of the time, I've guessed correctly with the STRIDA and been happy with the results.

invisiblehand

Really? I find it hard to believe.

Does anyone else find it surprising?

ThorUSA

obviously there is a brake pad sort of inside and a brake arm outside ... maybe 50 grams .. all my hubs are built up or at the wheelbuilder so I cant measure correctly ... but I will bet its minimal
thor

Azreal911

Shimano CB-E110 Single Speed Coaster ? Vancruisers.ca

805g with a 16t cog according to the shimano manuals

sooooo unless your brake cable, housing, lever, brakes and rear wheel hub weighs less than 805g, you will benefit with a weight savings just from a coaster brake hub.

fietsbob

JRA, 3 speeds .. 1 for tail winds, 1 for head winds , but Sturmey Archer S1C is made for people like You .
Sturmey Archer | Products

ThorUSA

ok hold horses
I am comparing Sram 2 speed automatix freewheel version versus coaster version ....
obviously a one speed el cheapo coaster brake hub is lighter ....

sail

For the last two years my Boardwalk single speed, coaster brake with Big Apples has been my only bike. I settled on a 51" gear. It spins along nice on the MUP. Hard to keep up on down hills and hard to go up on steep hills. I just bought a big bike with gears.

bhkyte

I havent ridden a single speed for commuting other than bmx bikes or micro folders ever really. I know ss fans say its great for your fitness as you can stand when its hard. However when its windy you need to stay out the wind and standing is often self defeating in generating more speed in the wrong conditions. Less so on a road race bike as you can tuck abit in standing. I stick with gears and find 3 speed IHG frustrating on bikes like bromptons dahon curve, that dont handle standing well.
However, I do miss the simplicity of my former BMX days and trails bikes.

Ridefreemc

Was contemplating a Bike Friday NWT frame only to put a 2 speed hub on, but see that chain tension is an issue. The drop outs don't allow adjustment and the chain will fall off during fold. So much for my simplicity plan

Azreal911

if you are buying it new you can ask for track style dropouts on the bike and they would build it for you easily. Unless you are buying a used one then it's another thing altogether. Or if it's not a coaster brake you can always mount a chain tensioner on it.

fietsbob

Bike Friday takes a different approach , when taking in the needs for a IGH/Single speed chain tension into consideration..

But the New NWT design , placing the BB as part of the rear portion, will make that option Possible .

Likewise The Tikit .. Unlike other bikes that fold your specifications go onto the build list the bikes are made to.

Including a frame size.. You have to state your needs ..

they dont have many bikes inventory , a few for Eugene, on site, test rides ,

But then the ones you order, they are made to the buyer's list of preferences..

Ridefreemc

So it sounds "doable." Is there any drawback with having the rear triangle setup to handle IGHs? I would guess not, but thought I'd ask. I can buy new and that would be a nice way to go. I am looking at a used Llama at the moment, but would have to accept all those gears (and disk brakes) in the process - and although nice it would be leading me away from the lighter and more simple direction i was heading. Also, for some reason I like the NWT a little better than the Llama as I really don't plan on off roading. How wide can you go with the tires on the NWT - anyone know (BF not open at the moment or I'd call them)?

fietsbob

Not really .. there is a replaceable dropout that pivots around a Bolt*, and a tension screw that pushes the dropout rearwards .

*I Think they use a flush fitting Standard chainring bolt to be easy to find potentially lost bolt replacements .

My Personal Bike Friday is a Pocket Llama , The fold to pack pivot is behind the BB which is part of the Main Frame ,

So It's Rohloff type 1 OEM torque stop Dropout is steel, part of the frame end and the Derailleur Hanger is fitting for the chain tensioner.

I got an 'as is' deal, the BTO customer rejected the Color..

Ridefreemc

Lucky dog you are!

I've got a call into them now. Looks like a belt driven 2 speed coaster might happen! I'll let you know.

fietsbob

Yea the 3 spline S-A cog is pretty common standard after a lifetime of making them, so you can find the Belt cogwheel to fit.

just hope you can set up the actual gear ratios you like with available Belt parts ..

fourknees

I'm not at SS yet, but considering. Had always rode a 3x8 and two years ago got a 3spd IGH with coaster brakes. Now with my folder at 1x7, I seem to continue to zone in on exactly how many gear inches I use 90% of the time.

It's just that the other 10% of the time that extra range is really really helpful. (especially the low gears)

Ridefreemc

Yes, got the word back that the NWT is the new bottom bracket set up (or you can get it on that). Pretty cool to think of a 2 speed coaster with gates. As far as the gearing I have gotten spoiled over the years with corncob clusters and indexed shifting, but I find as I get older and look beyond the bike (we used to say "get your head out of the boat" when sailing) I don't care as much what gear I'm in. I just like to ride. The less complicated the better. Now, I do still prefer high quality!

See above, plus I might need 2 gears lower or higher more like 2% of the time I ride.

Maybe I'm re-living my childhood as I used to ride a very very basic 20" bike when I was about 5.

BruceMetras

I did the same type of drivetrain mod, but on a Moulton TSR A Few Years Ago .. If you have BikeFriday set it up for you, see if they can adjust the shiftpoint of the SRAM hub.. otherwise, you'll probably be a little disappointed once you get it out on the road and find it shifts very early with 406 wheels.. I enjoyed the setup for years until I sold the bike .. dead reliable for me it was ...