Wheels4

I'm thinking about turning my commuter into a single speed... my commuter is 24 miles round trip. not very many big hills, but not many flats either. I just built it up as a 1X9 ... maybe some of you remember the thread. anyways....

so, i'm wondering... who has tried it? how long was/is your daily commute? did you keep the single speed or go back to gears? if you did give up the SS, why? b/c too many hills, etc. is it just alot of hype?

oh, and last question... did you go SS with 26 inch or 700c?


thanks for looking,

spider-man

I have a handful of commuters, including a fixed gear/single speed. It's great for it, almost maintenance free and fun to ride. Probably makes my legs stronger too. Hills aren't a problem because, well, we don't have any here.

The only reason I don't ride it regularly is that it's simply too nice. I most often ride a three-speed instead. It shares the virtue of low maintenance and doesn't look quite as fancy.

I ride 700c on all bikes but for my MTB, which rarely sees commuting duty.

Wheels4

forgot to mention that I might be keeping my 7500FX and turning it into the SS if it doesn't sell soon. just have to tell the wife I've tried everything and just can't sell it.

Spider Man, I'm also thinking that my legs would get even stronger if I ride a SS commuter. Oh and my ideal commuter would have 3 gears also.

jur

I converted a hybrid into a lightweight ss commuter - 46x16 700c. I was fed up with chain/cassette maintainance.

I started with 42/16, but cadence was too high on the flat bits. The 48x16 is a nice compromise
- I can get decent speed up on the flats without spinning too fast
- the steepest uphills are only just managable by standing on the pedals and applying maximum force. This has apparently strengthened my legs because it is getting easier.
- the downhills I mostly coast because the cadence gets ridiculous, but sometimes I still spin to practice spinning my legs into a blur.

TrevorInSoCal

Been riding fixed, 42x16, 30-mi. r/t, to my current place of work for about two years now. This is on a road-bike, so 700c.

I'm still at it w/ no plans to go back to multiple gears.

I've no basis for comparison as to whether it's tougher though, as I've never ridden my multi-geared bike to work.

There's one hill that I have to work at. The rest is a pretty comfortable spin consisting of mostly flats or gradual slopes.

-Trevor

MacG

I've been commuting and riding recreationally on a fixed gear for a few weeks and I really like it. The hardest part is deciding on your gear ratio. I run 48/17 which gives me about 75 gear inches with 700x23 tires. I can get up to 25 or 30mph on steep downhills before I feel out of control due to the high cadence. I can also climb some hills that I used to walk on geared bikes a few months ago.

Some people think that fixies can't climb. The truth is that they actually climb quite nicely, but you have to move a lot faster than most people like to climb to keep the cadence and momentum going. That or move at a crawl and mash on the pedals, toasting your knees.

Here's a little toy I made for helping figure out gearing decisions. It's similar to the classic Sheldon gear calculator, but works a little differently and is tailored to single speed and fixed applications.

https://grit.homelinux.net/gi/

If you've never tried singlespeed/fixed before and you don't have too challenging of hills to deal with, aim for 70 to 75 gear inches for starters.

buelito

My 'primary' commuter is a fixie...48*18 700 wheels. I have some hills on the way home from work, and a couple of them are tough (well-one is really tough), but it's a matter of just doing it. I would also recomend using a fixie, not a ss... Once you ride a fixie (even if you have flip/flop hubs) you won't go back to the ss. The only 'issue' is the need to use brakes to slow down the descents when you spin too much.

Also--think about getting 165 cranks so you won't 'bottom-out' on tight corners.

train safe-

CBBaron

I have two fixies that share duty for my 17mile RT commute. I went fixie for the simplicity, and low maintence, but I'm really enjoying the fun these bikes make the ride. My commute includes a couple of decent hills into and out of the river valley (~1/2 mile @ 5%) and lots of stops (through the city).
If my commute was longer on more rural/suburban roads I'd probably still be riding my recumbent for the commute.
My two bikes are a "track" bike and an old converted touring bike. The touring bike keeps fenders and a rack and runs studded tires for the winter. The track bike is kept clean except the front brake and is a fair weather bike.
Craig

fastbub

I commute on a fixed gear because it is low maintenance and it is what I already had, plus it is cheap so I don't worry about it. I run a 48x19 and I have a rolling commute of 18 miles one way. A couple of the hills test my strength, but overall it seems to work good. It seemed easier to ride fast with a messenger bag, but since I added a rack and panniers I feel like it is a bit tougher. Maybe I bring more stuff now because it isn't on my back, or maybe it is more wind resistance but it almost makes me want to gear down a bit. I also don't have any brakes so I can stop a lot faster with a lower gear. Might add one though!

max-a-mill

30 mile roundtrip one decent hill in the way home.

i got a fixie for nice days and a fendered singlespeed for crappy weather.

it used to be a BIG workout but i am getting stronger and it is no longer a big deal to ride my commute singlespeed.

i also really enjoy the fixed gear except when i descend the big hill and my knees are flying so fast they feel like they might blow off. other than that i echo the sentiment that fixed is a lot of fun. pretty steep learning curve but now that my slowing down muscles are getting stronger and i am even able to lock it up if i want/need to with just back pressure on the pedals; WOOHOO!!!!!

singlespeed is an awesome way to build up a virtually maintenance free commuter and get to be a stronger climber in the process! i don't know if i could do it in the mountains but where i am it is perfect!

pinkrobe

I started commuting SS in September, and it's been good so far. I actually have two SS bikes, one is a conversion from an old CX bike while the other is a dedicated mtn SS. The CX has fenders and is used on days without snow. The mtn bike is the snow/ice ride, complete with studded tires. I ride a 40x14 on the CX, and a 38x16 on the mtn. I have two decent-sized hills on my route, and I have to stand on those. Someday I hope to be able to spin all the way. I'm going to try going fixed [well, flip/flop] on the CX this summer.

jyossarian

I just got a CX w/ a flip flp hub setup as a fixie. I haven't tried commuting w/ it yet cuz it's too new! But once I get over that, commuting on it wouldn't be a big deal.

squeakywheel

I have two bikes. The older one is a SS rigid MTB with 1.5 inch street tires and fenders. The newer one is a 1x8 hard tail MTB with 2.1 inch knobies.

I converted my old 18 speed MTB to SS after wearing out the drive train. I could buy quality SS components for less money than gears. I was interested in robustness during winter weather. Cleaning sand out of derailure systems is a pain.

I usually commute on the SS. Its more of a beater bike. No worries about salt and sand on the roads or leaving it out in the rain. Plus it's the one with the fenders.

My 1x8 is a much lighter, more high end type of bike. It serves as a fair weather fun bike as well as being the backup for my commuter. In fact, I bought it to have something to ride when I was figuring out what to do with my broken down old bike.

Edit: I also considered an internal geared hub. I think that is also a good choice for a commuter. I just decided I didn't need the gears. I bought a pre-built SS rear wheel. I couldn't find any pre-built 26 inch geared hub wheels. I think it would have cost more after paying someone to build up the wheel and buy a shifter.

MMACH 5

Before you actually convert the bike over, give the commute a try without shifting. Set your gears to about the same ratio as what you'll have after the conversion and then ride to work and back for a couple of days and see how it feels.

It won't be exactly the same as riding a SS, but it will give you an idea if your hills are bearable without mechanical help.

marqueemoon

I will either be getting a Bianchi San Jose, an IRO Rob Roy, or building up a singlespeed/fixed Surly Cross Check soon. Right now I'm leaning towards the Cross Check because it would allow me to choose all the parts and give me the option for gears later on.

Whatever I go with it will probably be 700x28 tires and 42x16 gearing. I don't think I will be getting another 26 inch wheeled bike. Climbing feels really lurchy on my Bridgestone.

Brian Ratliff

I've just recently gotten a fixed gear (42-15 gear ratio) which I commute about a 24 mile round trip. Getting on my regular road bike this last weekend was a blast, as I was able to push pretty tall gears to climb faster, while being also able to spin fast to keep momentum on the rollers. I have a couple climbs where I get bogged down, but overall, the gearing is just right for rollers; not spinning to fast on the downhills, and not mashing too much on the steepest hill on the route.

Wheels4

yup, that's my plan... I figured I would try it atleast 3 or 4 times.


thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. I'm really looking forward to trying my commute as a SS. If I ended up turning my FX into a single speed, I'd still have my 1X9 to fall back on when I just don't feel like riding the SS(when it's windy or i'm feelin' like a wimp).

Sawtooth

What cadences are you guys with 48-19-ish gearing running? It just seems so high for me, but I like to spin like mad.

I went SS on the older tourer (27 inch) in January by default (broke the deraileur mid-commute). I just took the der. and shifters off and shortened the chain to the gear I wanted. The maintenance has been a dream (none but lube). I have a relatively flat commute and have liked SS so much that I have bought a track cog and will fix it when my BB wrench comes in. I will run 42/17. Which seems very low compared to what most are riding here, but it does not seem slow. I like to spin about 100-105 rpms. In fact, I have ridden 60 gear-inches since January and have liked it just fine for winter riding. I don't push very hard in winter due to the cold air/athsma situation.

Wheels4

wouldn't shorter cranks make it even harder to pedal(less leverage) given the same gearing? or... is that a joke?

if it's not a joke... Buelito, you must be a great deal faster than me b/c I don't really ever lean like that. I guess one day, maybe...

buelito

No joke- My commute is 46 round trip, and there is one corner in particular where I am coming off a slight incline (downhill) with a shart left hand turn at the bottom (on a bike path--no vehicular traffic). I lean the bike, and if I had shorter cranks, I would bottom out. I have heard of people bottoming out and losing control... one of those things I want to avoid at all costs. Oh, I also use a brake.

For those of you familiar with the DC area, this is right after crossing the GW Parkway under the Memorial Bridge, (sort of), to get on the Custis trail going west.

train safe-

buelito

I can't type to save my life... it should read "with a sharp left hand turn at the bottom (on a bike path--no vehicular traffic). I lean the bike, and if I had LONGER cranks, I would bottom out.

CBBaron

I run a 48x17 on my track bike and a 42x16 or a 42x20 on my tourer, all fixed ofcourse. I try to keep my cadence above 80 but that gets difficult if theres a head wind or a gradient. The 42x20 is for my studded tires and is perhaps more difficult on flat roads than the 48x17.
Basically you have to run what works best for you. Get the tools to change the cog so you can try different gearing easily.
Craig

marqueemoon

With fixed gear you really have to strike a balance between not killing yourself up the hills and not spinning too fast down them. With practice you can learn to spin really fast though. My fixed gear has a 48 tooth ring and a 17 on one side, 18 on the other. I'm using the 18 right now.

My old conversion was 44x18, which was too spinny for most situations, but was nice for short, nasty hills.

caloso

This is my second week of fixed commuting and I love it. I converted an old road frame and run 42-16 (69 g.i.) which makes me spin like mad. I highly recommend it unless you have big hills.

Wheels4

feelin' like a real weenie... all you guys are running 48's up front and I'm going to be running a 38. the worst part is... I think it's going to be too much or too hard. I guess it depends on what gear I run in the back, and i'll have to experiment with different GI's. but, a 48 X 14 or 16 seems kind of hard. anyways....