Originally Posted by
AdamDZ
Not everyone has the bodyweight-to-strength ratio to ride a singlespeed up steep hills. Kudos to people who can, I'm jealous
When riding a singlespeed (freewheel) I was unable to go up some hills no matter how hard I tried, I'd just stall
I could have gone with lower gearing but then my top speed would be limited.
Adam
6'6" and 230-ish pounds, here. The low gearing I've chosen allows me to use that weight to a mechanical advantage when slogging up the long grades.
You are correct about the top speed, though. I maxed out at 28mph on my fixed side once on a wicked downhill and I really found my zone. I was spinning up over 140rpm to do that, and honestly thought my legs might snap off if I tried to go faster! My comfortable average on the ss/fg rig (both sides with the same gear combo) is around 17 - 18mph, or hovering around 90rpm.