cradduck

I apologize ahead of time if this has been covered, I am having a heck of a time getting the search function to work for me right now.

I was wondering how realistic it is to tour on a single speed bicycle? I see single speed bikes (both drop bar and upright styles) used for commuting, some covering quite a distance with everything they need for the day, so it has me wondering how well a bike with one gear would do on a multi-day trip.

Part of me thinks that proper gearing and a light load (less than a week long trip) make it totally doable...part of me thinks there are going to be a lot of regrets at the first serious climb.

silverwolf

Having done it once (about three years or so ago) my suggestion is pack light and keep the bike simple in addition to the single-speed. You will need a headlight and probably a rack, and possibly fenders, but otherwise keep it light. Drop bars would help immensely, from my pre-drop experience (my SS tour was done on risers) both for winds and general comfort. Choose a gearing about 30 to 40% lower than normal, depending on your riding conditions, so you can push hills easier and deal with hazards, detours etc. Cadence is very important as well, even more so than on a geared tourer. Some would say use skinny tires but, if you can fit them, I would use at least 28c tires for puncture avoidance, better comfort, and ability to deal with some imperfect conditions.

And finally, you will probably need to push it if you have serious hills in your area, and you've been riding for hours- it's not that bad if you aren't loaded touring.

nun

+1. Although I'd like to point out the SS will be a lot easier than fixed gear as you can coast down the hills on a SS.

I did a SS ride from London to the NE of England last year staying in hotels. I kept the weight down and had a blast. I took it easy, averaging 50 miles a day, and had a 67" gear. So if an rotund, 50 year old guy like me can do it, then anyone can!

https://wheelsofchance.org/england-2009/

staehpj1

It depends among other things on where you plan to tour and how heavy you pack. Personally it doesn't appeal to me, but... It is certainly possible.

BTW, your "light load (less than a week long trip)" is kind of bogus to my way of thinking since if I don't need something on a 5 day trip I probably don't on a 5 week or 5 month trip either. I know that I tend to carry the same stuff regardless of trip length. If the trip is long enough that seasons or geographic regions mean different clothing or gear, I mail stuff to or from home or acquire/dispose of stuff along the way.

tcs

Thomas Stevens did ok.

imi

From an older thread about the "original" Fred. Wiki states that his bike weighed 50 lbs

Doug64

I told our son who raced cyclocross on a SS: " It is like playing a game of golf with only a nine iron- sometime during the game you may have the the right tool for the job"

hybridbkrdr

Just in case you're worried about adjusting derailleurs all the time, you could always go with friction shifters. Or, even single gear in the front with only a rear derailleur with a friction shifter.

fietsbob

There was a guy who rode on a long international tour,
recently,
on a high wheeler ,
It's, by definition, single speed and a fixie.

nun

People ride ultra cycling events like BMB and PBP on fixed gears so why not tour that way too. Before I got a single speed I was afraid that I'd get stuck somewhere because I got too tired going up the hills. Well it'd just not an issue. Riding single speed is easy and fun so pack lightly and use your fixed/ss bike to tour.

NoReg

"" It is like playing a game of golf with only a nine iron- sometime during the game you may have the the right tool for the job""

There is a classic exercise in golf where the player plays a round with only a 7 iron and a putter. Many players will actually shoot their best score. Wouldn't apply to tiger woods. But for the kind of player who ought to play par +1 (surprisingly few in the real world) often they have course management issues that cost them more than not having a driver, etc... Not sure this carries over into cycling.

I manage not to get carried away with the fixie touring bug, when I consider that my parents toured that way back in the 50s. Ever so cool. But seriously, I think it could be fine, or it could be one of those things that sounds so fab when one is at home and away from the ride, but would not be necessary let alone useful on the road. All kinds of stuff makes great conversation, like whether you are a leg man or a breast man, but they all kinda fade away in the thick of it. So as long as it isn't just a distraction...

For me it would be one of those things where if you did it because that is how you could get out there, it would be one thing. But if it was one of those "I'm so cool" or something to prove things, then you haven't learned to get out of your own way well enough yet.

imi

Pardon my ignorance, but what would a recommended "gear inch" be for SS touring?

vik 

Do you own a SS or FG bike? If you do you know exactly how realistic it would be for you to tour on one. If you don't I'd suggest you start riding it around town in one gear on your geared bike first. You need to build up your skills/fitness before you embark upon a tour and you need to determine what gearing will work for you.

Can it be done? - sure. Can it be enjoyable? - sure. Will you enjoy it? - I have no clue.

bmike

singlespeed, single wheel:



great divide mtb on a uni:



you can tour on any bike you want. ride lots. test out what works.

vik 

Very true....not just SS those bad boys are fixed gear....a couple fine folks just finished the GDR on unis:

https://www.bowcycle.com/bikes/blogs/...r-by-unicycle/

A friend lent me one and I am still trying to ride across my back yard!...

fietsbob

Florian Schlumpf , Swiss machine shop owner and unicycle fan,
has a 2 speed unicycle hub, and unicycle.

a switch between a 24 and 36 inch wheel is practical, that way.

Just don't hit the center button with your foot, inadvertently.

https://www.schlumpf.ch/hp/uni/uni_engl.htm

gpsblake

Very doable, as touring is 90 percent mental and 10 percent about the equipment.