So…..My last bike was a GT Pro Performer, well over 20 years ago. Since then, I've probably ridden a bike twice. Anyway, for a variety of reasons, I've been kicking around the idea of commuting to work by bike a few days a week. Is starting on a single speed after such a long lay off stupid? The salesmen at the LBSs seem to think I should start with something more "sensible".

These bikes have caught my eye because they seem relatively low maintenance (I don't know anything about bike mechanics), quick, and look like tons of fun to ride. Plus, I never learned how to shift gears!! My commute would be just under 5 miles each way on the westside of LA, flat, good roads. The morning leg would happen at 5AM on a big empty avenue, so moving through it at a good clip sounds like a blast. I'm 36, overall fitness is excellent, but again, haven't ridden in years. Or should I just get a boring old hybrid?

No the salesman is right especially in your case, singlespeed and until you're ready with the hang of cycling again, flip your hub to fixed. Baby steps.

Kilo TT

There isn't any reason why you should be more able to deal with a geared bike than a single speed. Fixed gear riding takes a little more practice but not much. If there are big hills on your commute gears may or may not make it more fun but as you aren't used to them anyway it won't make a big difference. Get a bike! Ride!

OP didn't say anything about riding fixed, just SS.

But the above answers are still relevant: no, there's no reason that starting back up with a singlespeed is any less sensible than with a geared bike.

And you're right, OP, hybrids are so boring, get with the hep cats.

No hills, no problem. Riding single will be a great simple way to get back into biking. I was on a 70s ten-speed with broken shifters when I started back up, so basically I was riding single until I got my bike converted to actual single speed and it's still my main ride. Find a bike that makes you happy and you'll love it. Gears are not necessary.

(This board is a little bit skewed towards fixed gear, so don't worry about those hooligans.)

I didn't mean to suggest that the OP was interested in riding fixed. All I was saying was that sometimes you get people acting like riding a single speed bike is hard when what they really mean is that riding a fixed gear bike is hard. But even that isn't really that hard.

When it comes to single speed bikes I don't understand why the single speed bike isn't the default bike for people who want to ride casually and commute. This is one case where the LBS's don't always seem to be serving their customers the best. Why are they willing to sell thousands of BMX bikes for completely inappropriate uses but when someone wants a single speed that is actually comfortable they get freaked out?

In those conditions, a SS is fine. Don't get a boring old hybrid if that's not what you want - that's what I did at first and ended up hating it and upgrading in less than a year. Of course then I got another bike a year later so maybe I just have a bike buying problem.

hills

if you're not in shape, having only one gear can be rough if you have to do any significant climbing.. that's the only thing i could think of.

but OP says his commute is flat, so that's not an issue

Single Speeds are awesome.

Want to go faster? Pedal faster. Want to go up hills? Pedal harder. Coast.

Entry level geared bikes come with entry level shifting systems which can be inelegant at the least and at times problematic. If gears don't solve any problems for you (like racing or climbing hills/mountains), then stick with single speed. It's an excellent choice for a city bike in a flat city.

I live in a hilly area (when not at school anyway), and I didn't really have many problems riding ss. You just have to work a little harder to climb. Its good for you.

i got back on a bike several years ago via single speed road bike after not riding for a long time. you might be a little sore after the first few rides, besides that you'll be fine.

i gave up on gears about 10 years ago. before fixed (only recently) it was vintage/inspired ss cruisers.

never seemed to be lacking.

Not stupid at all, more like smart. I'll also chime in with single speed being a great way to get into commuting. But be warned, you might become obsessed with it...

get whichever bike you want.
the salesman is just one opinion and he's biased because nobody wants to buy the stupid ugly hybrids he's stocking.
you've got 13 opinions here, though they may be biased because they have ridden single speeds (and fixed gears) and realize they are da bomb.

Starting with a SS is no problem at all. It's probably a good thing.

Like Carleton said, entry level road bikes suck.

west side?

i kid, i kid.

i actually enjoy biking on that side of town. seems to be nice. 5 miles on a SS over there would be fine. DO IT

Do it backwards, start fixed and develop a good, high cadence then go back to singlespeed so you could coast downhill and use high cadence to get up.

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh




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