My girlfriend just got a 24" road bike and wants it to be single-speed. Does anyone who lives in or very neer philly have a 24" single speed wheel they could let go for a fee? If you do I'de reall apreciate it. thanks alot. Also, could anyone fill me in on a good gear ratio for her. She will be riding the bike in the city.. sometimes.. but muuuch more often in the sub-burbs with small hills. she is not very powerfull, so what would be a good ratio for a single speed for her? thanks again.

24" bike or 24" wheel? Or is it both? I've got a 24" wheel (coaster brake) but it is on a wide rim (for a BMX). But I'm not from philly, so it would need to be mailed. You would likely want to rebuild the wheel anyway, so your best bet might just be to find a hub and spokes and build from scratch.

As for low-powered ratio in a hilly area, I'd suggest multi-speeds. If that isn't cool enough, consider the low profile potential of internal gears. I've got a few buckets full of Sturmey Archers hubs for dirt cheap.

She doesent want to be cool, she just hates gears.. I just ran the chain straight on the current geared bike and took off the derailer.. so its running fine for now, so she has time to evenatually get a nice wheel built now.. but thanks anyway.