FG vs SS for casual bike trail riding?
06-30-12, 11:09 AM
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FG vs SS for casual bike trail riding?
I'm in the process of building my first FG/SS bike, mainly to be used for commuting to and from work each day. I will also be using the bike on weekends for casual rides with my wife. She has an Electra Townie and we ride on some local bike trails. We don't go very fast as her bike is a single speed and she prefers to casually cruise around. My question is this: will I want to switch to a freewheel for these rides? I'm thinking I will -!: I'd have to be constantly pedaling extremely slow to pace her. My next question is this: if that's the only time I use a freewheel on the bike, do I really need a rear brake?
06-30-12, 11:14 AM
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You're thinking too much. Just get out there.
I trail ride with the sqrl all the time at slow paces, and in the past, geared way too damn high for the streets. If its really an issue for you, gear down, so you have to pedal faster.
I trail ride with the sqrl all the time at slow paces, and in the past, geared way too damn high for the streets. If its really an issue for you, gear down, so you have to pedal faster.
06-30-12, 11:22 AM
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I'm in the process of building my first FG/SS bike, mainly to be used for commuting to and from work each day. I will also be using the bike on weekends for casual rides with my wife. She has an Electra Townie and we ride on some local bike trails. We don't go very fast as her bike is a single speed and she prefers to casually cruise around. My question is this: will I want to switch to a freewheel for these rides? I'm thinking I will -!: I'd have to be constantly pedaling extremely slow to pace her. My next question is this: if that's the only time I use a freewheel on the bike, do I really need a rear brake?
06-30-12, 11:33 AM
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FWIW, I prefer riding the FG when I'm pootling along at 10mph with my kids. It's a personal preference though.
06-30-12, 01:40 PM
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Most modern brakes have a little lever on the cable clamp that you can turn to open i up and make wheel removal real easy. There is no worry in getting a rear brake.
06-30-12, 03:24 PM
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I find riding slow on fixed gear easier and on a freewheel bike. Seems easier to keep my balance I think.
06-30-12, 04:20 PM
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The answer is to buy the wife a real bike and make her keep pace 
Na just kidding. I do have trouble riding slow for other people on my fixed gear. I'd do single speed if constantly in that situation, but really it's up to you. Get some wheels that do both fixed and ss and try each out, see which you like. Just buy a larger tooth count freewheel so you have a smaller gear ration if the only goal with that side is to ride slow with the wife. And a rear break seems completely unnecessary at slow paces only on the weekends
Na just kidding. I do have trouble riding slow for other people on my fixed gear. I'd do single speed if constantly in that situation, but really it's up to you. Get some wheels that do both fixed and ss and try each out, see which you like. Just buy a larger tooth count freewheel so you have a smaller gear ration if the only goal with that side is to ride slow with the wife. And a rear break seems completely unnecessary at slow paces only on the weekends
06-30-12, 04:53 PM
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07-01-12, 09:03 PM
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When you ride fixed you have a lot more control. If you have a track hub you could go fixed on both sides and ride a lower gear for the slow days. 72" on one side and a 78" on the other.
07-01-12, 09:48 PM
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Build two bikes. One with 78gi and an aggressive geometry for riding fast. One with 68gi, risers and a basket for picnic rides with the wife. N+1, man.
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