Test riding a bike for 2 hours
#151
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#152
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Wait…what? The 650 wheels are for a single speed? I missed that. Everything goes in the singlespeed world.
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#153
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#154
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"My chainring is so big I have to bunnyhop speed bumps so it doesn't bottom out!"
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#155
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#157
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an insane request
Last edited by Jrasero; 05-22-23 at 02:09 PM.
#158
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I want something that fits my spinergies, and I think a tri bike or custom frame are my only options for that, and a tri bike would be cheaper and easier to get used. I want a single speed for commuting, and would prefer to be able to do fast group rides on it. I want a road bike for fast group rides,
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It's funny that you're wanting a single speed commuter that's also good for fast group rides. Yeah... that doesn't exist. For fast group rides, you're going to need at least 95 gear inches, and that would absolutely suck for commuting unless your commute is close to flat.
#160
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Single speed bikes are good for two kinds of riders:
1) Those who only want to commute on flat terrain, or do casual rides (read: low speed)
2) Those who can have another bike for the times they want to ride fast, e.g., fast group rides
Larry, I can see what you're trying to do. I respect you for your ambitious, if sometimes goofy, ideas. I think you'd do well to focus on one bike. It should be a steel frame drop bar road bike, probably 2x10 or 2x11 drivetrain (a 1x with wide ratio cassette could also work). Select all components for durability, not light weight or bling factor. Give it frequent, careful maintenance, and enjoy it for years. And while you're at it, throw away those silly Spinergy wheels.
1) Those who only want to commute on flat terrain, or do casual rides (read: low speed)
2) Those who can have another bike for the times they want to ride fast, e.g., fast group rides
Larry, I can see what you're trying to do. I respect you for your ambitious, if sometimes goofy, ideas. I think you'd do well to focus on one bike. It should be a steel frame drop bar road bike, probably 2x10 or 2x11 drivetrain (a 1x with wide ratio cassette could also work). Select all components for durability, not light weight or bling factor. Give it frequent, careful maintenance, and enjoy it for years. And while you're at it, throw away those silly Spinergy wheels.
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#161
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.....you can throw those silly Spinergy wheels to me

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Fixed it:
;-)
This bike is fun on fast rides... horrible on easy/slow rides.
Single speed bikes are good for two kinds of riders:
1) Those who only want to commute on flat terrain, or do casual rides (read: low speed)
2) Those who can have another bike for the times they want to ride fast, e.g., fast group rides
3) Those who have a single speed that's ONLY good for fast rides
1) Those who only want to commute on flat terrain, or do casual rides (read: low speed)
2) Those who can have another bike for the times they want to ride fast, e.g., fast group rides
3) Those who have a single speed that's ONLY good for fast rides
This bike is fun on fast rides... horrible on easy/slow rides.

#163
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When you have only one gear ratio, you must make compromises, as that ratio will be either too high or too low for some of your riding.
I don't know Larry well enough to know what he really has in mind, but he seems like a guy who could use a durable do-it-all bike--that is, one with as few compromises as possible. That Scott is very cool, by the way. You have about 53x13 gears? Not what I'd want for commuting or puttering down the MUP with my wife and grandson. That's where my All City Nature Boy excels, with a wide flat bar (and bar ends!), 41x19 gears, and a rear cargo rack and handlebar bag. NOT something I'd try to take with a fast group.
Another bike that would require lots of compromises? I'd say a used TT frame, set up as single speed, with Spinergy wheels in 650 size.
Last edited by Broctoon; 06-01-23 at 03:53 PM.
#164
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LarrySellerz , if you really want to build a single speed, I've got your wheels. A set of Velocity Chukkar rims on SS/FG hubs with cartridge bearings. Forty eight spokes each. (48. You read it right.) They're meant for bike polo.
You're not going to damage them, even when droping the hamer on less than ideal surfaces. Of course, they're not very fast, but I think you like the challenge of keeping up just by your strength and stamina. They're 700c, and wide enough to take 32mm tires, maybe even bigger.
I'm totally serious. If you want them, I'll sell them cheap. I just don't know how to get them to you, because I hate shipping stuff like this.
You're not going to damage them, even when droping the hamer on less than ideal surfaces. Of course, they're not very fast, but I think you like the challenge of keeping up just by your strength and stamina. They're 700c, and wide enough to take 32mm tires, maybe even bigger.
I'm totally serious. If you want them, I'll sell them cheap. I just don't know how to get them to you, because I hate shipping stuff like this.
#165
Senior Member
Hey guys, I was looking at the Stanford campus bike shop and they would sell me a fuji feather single speed for $600. I want to try test riding it for ~2 hours doing a fast group ride, because if the bike cannot perform well under load I don't want it, and its hard to replicate that without a racing environment. Id need them to move the brakes to the drop bars, and I would consider buying it if i am happy with it. Is this unusual or a dick move on my part? Bit more than the customary spin. Was going to drop off the money or a more expensive bike as collateral and not bother explaining in detail where im riding it/ask the sales guy for permission because he would have to ask his manager and its just escalating for no reason.
#166
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