I've been thinking of doing that myself, too, if not on my current commuter, then maybe on my next one. I'd probably also switch the rear to an internal geared hub instead of a derailleur. I'd just have to choose what gear range would be good enough for where I ride.

Switching to a single front sprocket is certainly doable, and would result in a simpler 5-speed bike. The chainline would be acceptable in all gears. You can even try this setup initially by just not using the front derailleur, leaving it on the middle chainring. Depending on what gears you use, your existing middle chainring may suffice, or you might want a replacement single chainring with a tooth count between your current middle and outer rings. Consider a 3 or 5-speed IGH as well.

I too have both. I prefer the ss, but late in the week the gears are nice to have.

IGH :thumb:

i choose multi-speed because of the extreme wind i frequently battle against along chicago's lakefront. if my commute route in chicago weren't directly along the lakefront, i could get away with a single speed because chicago is one of the flattest cities anywhere in the country.

Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub. It can't be beat for stop and go and go fast urban riding.

If you're riding primarily in the Flats, then get a single speed. However, if you're ever confronted with a huge mountainous incline, then your extra gearing will be sorely missed.

Besides the MTB's the only bike that doesn't make the errand rotation is the 3 speed... so another for both.

If you're just switching between 2 gears, you can easily adopt a single speed.

Both. I run my single-speed with a freewheel. I never got used to fixed.

I rode the Big Dummy today, so I had a bunch of gears I didn't need. :)

The poll options need to include "both".

I have geared bikes, single speed, and fg bikes and a number of IGH equipped bicycles which fall under the geared category.

If my ride route is going to include a lot of hills / wind / loads I ride a geared bike and if it just me staying high and out of the valley I often use the ss or fg bikes.