Single Speed Advice. What to look for?
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hotel CA / DFW
Posts: 1,769
Bikes: 83 Colnago Super, 87 50th Daccordi, 79 & 87 Guerciotti's, 90s DB/GT Mtn Bikes, 90s Colnago Master and Titanio, 96 Serotta Colorado TG, 95/05 Colnago C40/C50, 06 DbyLS TI, 08 Lemond Filmore FG SS, 12 Cervelo R3, 20/15 Surly Stragler & Steamroller
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 612 Post(s)
Liked 805 Times
in
513 Posts
I see your point, but the flip (flop) side is if you have a flip flop hub with fixed and free, it's easy to use the free all the time and just have the fixed cog there for show. Riding fixed takes a little concentration at first, but if there are no big hills and you're sensible, and have brakes as a back up, you can get used to it within a few miles.
Indeed, when I ride my geared bike these days, it takes me a few miles to get used to being able to coast, but by the end of a 20 mile ride, it's coming naturally again.
As for ratios, there is one simple perfect answer, a golden ratio, if you will: the ideal combination of chain ring and sprocket, perfect for all conditions. Legend says that this ratio can only be found by an infinite number of cyclists drinking an infinite amount of beer and shooting an infinite amount of breeze.
Indeed, when I ride my geared bike these days, it takes me a few miles to get used to being able to coast, but by the end of a 20 mile ride, it's coming naturally again.
As for ratios, there is one simple perfect answer, a golden ratio, if you will: the ideal combination of chain ring and sprocket, perfect for all conditions. Legend says that this ratio can only be found by an infinite number of cyclists drinking an infinite amount of beer and shooting an infinite amount of breeze.
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Hotel CA / DFW
Posts: 1,769
Bikes: 83 Colnago Super, 87 50th Daccordi, 79 & 87 Guerciotti's, 90s DB/GT Mtn Bikes, 90s Colnago Master and Titanio, 96 Serotta Colorado TG, 95/05 Colnago C40/C50, 06 DbyLS TI, 08 Lemond Filmore FG SS, 12 Cervelo R3, 20/15 Surly Stragler & Steamroller
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 612 Post(s)
Liked 805 Times
in
513 Posts
Here's one Single Speed Vintage I am considering. What do you think?
IMO the two most important spec choices, frame tubing/construction and type of hubs are not detailed. These are maybe the most important details for a good SS bike.
#28
Bike Ethically
If money is not an issue, then just buy something more expensive. Have you ever considered building your bike from scratch? It is not that complicated to build a fixed gear bike. It is tons of fun! I built my my first fixed gear +15 something years ago.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,786
Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone, 2023 Surly Disk Trucker
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 708 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
260 Posts
Read some reviews, do some virtual window shopping then pull the trigger. Keep it simple, fixed gear bikes aren't complicated.
#30
Aussie Commuter
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone for your input. As most of you have recommended I might just build my own. I think I'll be more satisfied.
#31
Bike Ethically
Likes For BikeEthics:
#32
Junior Member
I kind of took a similar route, not a "vintage" frame, but an inexpensive 4130 CroMoly ready-made bike for starters. Once I figured our that I'm well and truly "hooked", I started upgrading the components with the idea that I would get a nicer frameset one day. Ended up with a titanium beauty by No.22, Little Wing. I am very lucky to live about 45 minutes away from their factory.
Likes For DKVelo: