2ndGen

The Short Version:

Getting into SS bikes.
Have questions.
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The Details:

In riding in the streets of New York City, I noticed that I don't get to use all the gears on my CAAD9.
I'm pretty much limited light to light travel. BUT! I love haulin' arse on a bike.

Plus, I don't like the ideal of using my CAAD as my only bike
(especially after the build-up I'm putting it through).

This got me to thinking. I need another bike, something other than my Mountain Bike (Gary Fisher Tarpon).
Something that could take a beating, that ain't gonna cost me a ton and that'll be pretty maintenance free.
Something simple. Something I just jump on and ride and don't obsess about like my CAAD.
Something that if it got dirty or a little scratch here or there, I wouldn't stress it.

I assessed things I like a lot about riding in the city;
I mostly ride the hoods.
I love explosive sprints.
I love dodging in & around traffic.
I love flying on two wheels.

A Singlespeed with bullhorns came to mind.
I always liked the look of a nicely built SS around The City.

Came across an incredible deal on a new SS by a manufacturer I loved when I was a kid.
Bottom of the barrel model. Cheap, easy to get, ready to ride as is.

I considered buying some of the hipster bikes I find locally, but I wanted something with modern geo,
with new parts and something that I could upgrade easily if I wanted to (and I pretty much always want to).

I'll reveal the bike once I it's in my possession.
For now, I have questions about the SS scene.
Thanks in advance to anybody who responds.

2ndGen

Gearing:
What's a good range for riding in urban areas with a lot of speed up to 20mph, then back to 0 quick?

Current set-up will be 46-16/freewheel.

patthepunk

42/16 should be great for citys. I have the same on one of my bikes, and it hauls arse.

HFTB

I love my single speed IRO Mark V. 46x6, steel frame, bullhorns,28 tires-- its the business

2ndGen

Going to put my CAAD in the shop for a couple of weeks while it gets built up.
Nice time to get acquainted with the SS.
Can't wait for mine to come in.

It'll probably be here Tuesday of "next" week.

on the path

That's the setup I have. Can easily spin at 20+ mph, and accelerate very quickly from a slow roll. Works for me...

OTP

thirdgenbird

I enjoy a 42x16 around town. It's good for 30mph but lets you climb huge hills or just relax

sulr

Yeah, like the others said 46/16 seems like a good ratio for cities (depends I suppose) I ride a 46/16 and I have no issue getting back to moderate speeds from zero.

However, I cannot comment on a "SS scene". I ride a SS (kilo tt pro), but never really encounter much of a scene for it( I mean I see them around, but it's not like I say "yo ss dude, dig the ss." SS just seems like a reasonable way to commute through cities while possessing a bike where maintenance is very manageable.

Go for it!

2ndGen

Thanks. I'll ride it out, enjoy it, learn from it and upgrade "if" I need to.

shenny88

i ride through semi-urban/suburban areas with my SS and 48-16 has been working well for me... even considering a 50t chainring, or 49, idk yet. But its pretty much all flat around me minus a few shallow hills.

kinkbmxco

I just got my first SS a week or so ago, it's a IRO Mark V with 46/16 gearing. Reiterating what everyone else has said, I think this is a good gear ratio as I am able to get moving quickly from a complete stop. I can also maintain a pretty good speed, but still be able to get up hills. Have fun!

cab chaser

I'd go higher than 46 if you like going fast and if you're got strong legs. I ride 50/16 - I love this gearing because I have absolutely no problems keeping up with traffic, but I can still get up to speed relatively quickly. When I first switched up to it, it was a little rough but I got used to it very quickly. It's not a problem on the bridges, but you have to put in a bit of work. Wind + bridge climbs can be a little rough but I love it otherwise. I ride a Cannondale CAPO, which I love, it's got a few dents in the top tube and I'm looking to replace the frame with the exact same thing if I can ever find one for sale in the right size. +1 on the bullhorns : that's the way to go. If you're pounding through pothole-ridden NYC streets with bullhorns I'd make sure that you have a strong stem. I've cracked stems before riding in the city, so now I ride with a MTB stem because I'm paranoid.

RE: dodging in and out of traffic: I like a slightly undersized frame that is easier to throw around between my legs - that makes me feel a bit more nimble.

on the path

I've yet to see another SS on the bike path that I frequent. Today, and for the first time, another biker actually acknowledged my SS and asked me about it. Whoa

2ndGen

I went with a 54cm frame (I normally ride a 56).
The frame has a 55.5 tt, so it'll be just right.
I like my MTB's a size down so I can toss them around a lot easier.

On my RB, I stay on the 53 90% of the time.
I'll see how used to my SS and then figure things out.

2ndGen

Alright...it's official.
My SS is on it's way.
Should be here mid-next week.

It's the ubiquitous SE Racing Lager.
I always liked it's look.

As much as I thought that I'd NEVER buy a Dawes/Fuji/Scattante/housebrand bike/frame,
it looks like I ended up with all of them with the most re-branded bike frame around.
If I'm going to have one of them, SE is the best set of stickers I could have on it!

First of all, I cut my teeth on SE Racing PK Rippers as a kid.
I love the SE Brand period (even now that it's owned by Fuji).
Eventually, I'll have myself a Retro Looptail PK Ripper
(if I'm lucky, I'll have an early 80's PK Ripper Looptail).

While the temptation is great for me to start upgrading it as soon as I get it,
I'm going to hold off limiting my personalization to a Fizik Aliante Saddle and
the pair of Campus Pedals I bought for it (platform/SPD combo).

The Woodgrain was nice, but too nice...loved the Black of course,
but don't like the graphics or the other colors.

I got a Cool White Lager.
It'll be my street bike.

I'll have pics of mine up when it comes in.
For now, I'll post stock pics.

ninja_m0nkey

Nice. I had this bike till it got stolen.

2ndGen

My condolences.

I just got my buddy a SE Big Ripper (29er PK Ripper) in beautiful white for only $350. SHIPPED.

ninja_m0nkey

I love that funny looking seat with the blue bolt. Ha. I remember my OM Flyer being heavy as iron. Hopefully that frame is lighter, but then again its probably gonna take a beating.

2ndGen

What about this? $100. Wrap

P-I-M-P!



Oh! And...

motobeCarnage 

did you get him a "gyro" so he can barspin?

2ndGen

My Lager arrived tonight.

Love tearing apart delivery boxes!
Anyway, it went together easy.
I'm surprised at the quality I got for $315.

Of course, I flipped the stem.
The bar was surprisingly not as long as it looks in pictures.
So, it stays. The tape and saddle will be the next upgrades.
Already installed a pair of Shimano PD-M324 Pedals (clipless/flat combo).

Can't wait to take it out tomorrow. Have a nice 3-Day holiday weekend.
With my CAAD9 being ready way ahead of schedule and my Lager in,
I'm going to have a ball this weekend taking turns on my beautiful
BBQ Road Bike and my Cool White Singlespeed.

I gotta say I LOVE the simplicity of the drivetrain.

Hirohsima

I have ridden 42,45,48,50 x 16 and have mostly settled on a 48*16.

If you like to sprint, 46*16 won't be a big enough gear. Drafting busses and other cars sucks in a gear too low. I like 48*16 because I can get up to low 30's easily and can maintain a 21-22mph average.

One other thing I consider, where I live, downtown traffic moves at between 25-30mph when there is not too much traffic. I like to ride *IN* traffic and take the lane. That means I have to be able to get to 30-35mph and keep it there. 46*16 won't work. 48*16 barely does, 50*16 (as another person posted) is better, but makes standing starts a little more work and I don't ride in traffic *that* much.

Good luck with your build. New bikes are fun.