Can I be fast with a singlespeed?
#1
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Joined: Apr 2015
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Can I be fast with a singlespeed?
Hi,
I use my trekking to go at work every day, about 20km per day, no hills, no mountains.
I usually use "heavy" gears because I like going fast and the street is flat, so everything is fine.
I really like how singlespeed bikes look but I'm wondering if the gear is to soft to go really fast...and unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here
what do you think?
thanks
I use my trekking to go at work every day, about 20km per day, no hills, no mountains.
I usually use "heavy" gears because I like going fast and the street is flat, so everything is fine.
I really like how singlespeed bikes look but I'm wondering if the gear is to soft to go really fast...and unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here
what do you think?
thanks
#3
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From: Hawaii
Bikes: 2012 Switch Performance BlackSkin LE Urban, 2013 Leader 725, 1975 Fuji America, 1990 Giant Cadex 980c, 1986 Peugeot PH10LE, 1995 Trek 2120 Carbon ZX
Geared bikes can make it easier to be fast, but it's all down to your legs.
When I used to ride singlespeed/fixed the average speeds of my ride weren't that much different than when I switched to road bikes.
When I used to ride singlespeed/fixed the average speeds of my ride weren't that much different than when I switched to road bikes.
#4
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From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#5
Originally Posted by OP
...unfortunately I have no way to test a singlespeed here...
.
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#6
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#7
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Bikes: MTB & Road
What's your speed and cadence?
I live in a rather flat area with a few shortish hills. Run just short of 70GI on my FG road bike. On the flats I usually run around the 25kmh marker with occasionally 30kmh when I spin faster. It's fun.
I live in a rather flat area with a few shortish hills. Run just short of 70GI on my FG road bike. On the flats I usually run around the 25kmh marker with occasionally 30kmh when I spin faster. It's fun.
#9
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From: ohio
Bikes: Surly long haul trucker, Surly steamroller,Huffy Catalina, Univega Alpina 501. Gravity deadeye monster, Raliegh sport , Electra loft 1
Speed isn't my top priority. Just cruising the bike path were I ride for exercise I will average 1-2 m.p.h faster on my single speed that my touring bike that is not riding loaded I got a touring bike because I am a large guy
Roy
Roy
#11
My commute is basically the same. I climb faster on the SS/FG, but my touring rig has taller gears for the flats.
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#12
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
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A few years ago I was in a road omnium that had an out-and-back TT along a canal path. I don't have a TT bike and didn't want to mess with my road bike so I did the TT on my fixed gear. I put on aerobars and a 52x15 gear. Personal PR for that course.
#13
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From: Bozeman, MT
Bikes: 2013 Bianchi Super Pista // 2013 Cinelli Experience // Kilo TT // '84 Trek 500 Series Porteur
nope. everyone's lying about going fast to look cool. single speeds can't be fast it's like always being stuck in first gear in a car.
#14
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From: Denmark
Bikes: MTB & Road
#15
i have my TT bike set up w/ 53x15 for the street (Fixed).. with a brake. it's not as demanding as many like to believe ....provided you flow smoothly, and time the lights.
#16
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
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#20
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Can't ride singlespeed on the velodrome. Not allowed.
#22
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Single speed =/= fixed gear
#23
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From: SF, CA
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#24
#25
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Terminology. The term single speed is understood to mean a single cog freewheel, which is illegal on the track, as are brakes which would be required to stop a single speed, unless you intend to drag your feet on the ground. Fixed gear is understood to mean a cog mounted directly to the hub w/o a freewheel, which permits stopping w/o brakes. This is important because the OP is clearly intending to ride a single freewheel with brakes, so the velodrome reference is irrelevant to the discussion.



