I'm moving to the Atlanta area in the very near future, have applications in at several hospitals, specifically in Marietta, Sandy Springs, and Mableton areas. I've read about how the Atlanta area is hilly and I'm wondering how hilly it is. I had a geared bike that was recently stolen, so I'm down to my SS (48x17 gearing, 75.6 gear inches according to Sheldon). Money is tight because of the move and the fact that I'm fresh out of nursing school, so purchasing another geared bike is pretty low on the list.

I'm not a weakling rider (6'6", 265lbs, 4 years removed from a college basketball career), but I'm not Lance. I can hammer pretty good out of the saddle, but understand there are physics involved in getting my butt up a steep hill that can't be overcome with a big gear set up.

Is commuting in the areas mentioned doable with a SS? I can change my chainrings and sprockets, but will I end up with a 36x18ish configuration that significantly reduces my top end? Should I just suck it up and plan on getting a geared bike? Or are the hilly areas just too variable for anyone to know until I figure out where exactly I'll end up?

I would imagine the answer to my last question is "Duh" but any insight would be helpful.

I just moved from an area that was much less hilly and I have to say it is kicking my butt, gears or no.

is it a 26" or a 29" bike?

I commute with a 26", a 46T up front, and an 11-32 cassette in back, here are the gear inch ratios with the :

108.7 <- 11T
99.7 <- 12T
85.4 <- 14T
74.8 <- 16T
66.4 <- 18T
57.0 <- 21T
49.8 <- 24T
42.7 <- 28T
37.4 <- 32T

I've got a set of panniers that usually have clothes, lunch, tools, etc in them, and it's not a featherweight bike (fenders, lights, etc). I typically only use 32 and 28 in back when the panniers are loaded up with groceries and I hit the steeper bits of the commute and I'm feeling lazy. It's a daily 33 mile round trip from Smyrna to downtown Atlanta, and this setup is perfect for me. If I had to pick one gear for everything, I'd do either the 21 or the 18 in the rear with the 46T up front, so in your case, you might be able to get away with switching to a bigger cog in back (do they go up to 21 or 24 for singlespeed cogs?) for the cheapest solution. Your mileage may vary depending on the size of your calves and quads though.

That was a very helpful answer. I have a Scwhinn World Tourer that I alternate between a 700c wheelset and a 27x1.25 wheelset, depending on the condition of the road on which my ride takes me. It looks like I could just switch my cog for $15 and grab a 22-tooth.

It looks like I'll just relax until I figure out my exact route, then make a few test runs. I appreciate the help.

Atlanta is in the top ten most dangerous cities in America. Be careful out there.

^Are you talking crime or conditions for cyclists? The areas the OP mentioned - Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Mableton - are as safe as anywhere. The crime in ATL is pretty concentrated. Conditons for cyclists in those areas are not ideal, but that's specific to the route.

I'll be in the ATL over the summer. Plan on bringing my fixed. Is the city bike friendly and relatively flat?
I'm running 48x18/16 and never spent any real time there.

I would like to commute and also find rides on the weekend.

Was there for work a while ago but just a brief visit and hung in the W Hotel area, didn't get a chance to see anything.

Thanks for any links or advice!