Why doesn't anyone ride a three-speed?
 

What about a three speed? Seems like it would be simple and effective.

Why so many gears?

I'd love to have a one-by-three. I realize there are internal hub shifters, but I don't know anything about them in terms of their ability to climb under a lot of stress.

20% grades, loose sand and rocks, all the varying terrain one encounters and mashing pedals hurts your knees. This is why the obsession with gears.

I ride a 24 speed and only use about 6-9 gears at all. It's about how you shift

Three speed is a difficult subject, now 9 speed is better. I think there is too many wasted parts into making a three speed but to make a 9 speed, that's where you get more efficient gearing. But still, 21 or 24 speeds are better, you just have to learn how to shift.

Who says no one does? Give it a try. You can use your stock hub, just replace unwanted cogs with spacers and adjust your limit screws accordingly.

But I don't know why you're set on 3? Why not 4? Or 5? On a SS cassette hub with less dish?

Well, I am not actually set on three.

Here's what I want to do.

I want to get this bike: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/deadeye.htm

And perhaps put something like this on it: http://www.amazon.com/Shimano-Nexus-...6112738&sr=8-3

The truth is I don't know how to take a single speed and put gears on it.

I'm not intense, but I'd like some hill climbing ability.

Just some thoughts in my head.

You'll probably over-heat the roller-brake and that hub.

^ then he'll have a sick beach cruiser.

I've done it, you have to be extremely careful when setting the spacing between the cogs and with the limit screws on the rear deraillieur.

Not worth the work and matter as well just go 6 speed instead.

How would I go about putting a six-speed onto a former single-speed bike? I hear the wheel has to be dished, but I have no idea what that means.

yep, nooob.

Is the hub a freewheel hub or a freehub body ss hub. If it's a freehub, you can fit 6 cogs on it..

I put three cogs on my Redline Monocog, a friction shifter, and a derailleur. I think the cogs were 15, 18, and 21t with a 32t front ring. it was not worth the effort and I just went back to single-speed.