Hi - I am realtively new to Bikeforums and I ahve to ask -
Why a single speed bike? What is the purpose? Is this a "cult like" thing among bike gurus?
I'd appreciate if someone could enlighten me, because I just don't understand. Even if you are racing, don't you want the beneft of other gear ratios?

Thanks in advance.

it's a simplicity and way of riding thing. On the tracks, you don't need more than one gear because it's flat(banked on corners) so more gears won't do anything for you. Track bikes are also great tools for training to ride geared bikes. You learn to spin better, and you learn what your best cadence is. It's a lot of different things. I used to wonder the same thing until I tried it and it becomes clear once you start to ride fixed. I'm sure others will explain it better since i'm still a relative newb.

for me derailers became more work then they were worth to keep running, especially in the winter
so i kept one gear.. fast :) your legs get use to it in no time
try it out.. pick a gear thats a bit of a challenge and don't change it for a week see how ya feel after that..

cause I'm a ****e mechanic

For me SS MTB is like a BMX for adults. It's nice not to be thinking about what gear to be in and just concentrate on the trail, the hill, or the beer at the end of the ride. If you ride in really muddy conditions your bike still works 4 miles into the race/ride.

For SS/fixed road riding it's all about simplicity, connection to the road, and less of a chance of theft (well not any more).

I'm gonna say that it's somthing that needs to be experienced. You can't explain what it's like to have sex (look at American Pie). Riding a fixed gear is something you have to experience, so, go out to your LBS, buy a cheapo track wheel, a tire, a tube, and a cog and chain ring (they can put em on for ya), then raid your folks garage, find their old ten speed throw away the rear wheel, throw away the brakes, brake cables, cable housing, delrailures, etc!!! adjust the chian, tighten the bolts, and go ride around the neighboorhood...

Then come back here and tell us all how cool it felt to ride afixed :)

Sheldon Brown has written extensively and collected the thoughts of others on this topic:
http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/index.html
The allures of the single speed for me are the mechanical and psychological simplicity and the perfect chainline. Once you feel that chainline, it is difficult to go back. I initially converted an old mountain bike to single speed and then I bought a fixed gear road bike. I always feel that I have three gears: in the saddle, standing and walking.
Finally, when climbing I must admit I do get a kick out of dropping the hammer on a color-coordinated peleton of multi-geared riders. Alas on the descents, it is dangerous to compete.
Forget all that, it is "a cult thing."

Keep the front brake till you better at skipping and skidding and general control, we don't want to lose a new recruit too quickly.

So... Your kidding - you have NO BRAKES??? Or do I need to put an old bendix brake on the wheel somehow? I meant no foul when I said "cult thing" - I should have said a "Zen thing" SSer's might be at some plateau that I have never arrived at or have ever envisioned. :)

Brakes aren't necessary on a fixed gear bike. If you're pedalling forward the bike goes forward. If your pedalling backwards, yes the bike will go backwards. And if you stop pedaling your legs either the bike is stopped or your rear wheel is skidding.

I only one fixed gear bikes - no brakes. I have only ridden one geared bikes for the past 5 years - and before that had a mix of SS, fix, and geared.

I have no idea what happened to me - I just enjoy it more. No Zen crap here - just like it more.

are you comparing riding fixed to a scene in american pie?

you need to get out and ride more

The only time a SS can be a "bad" or "not quite so convienient" thing is in very hilly terrain. You must gear it so you can climb what you expect to encounter on your route, and then live with the top speed that gear will allow on the flats.

Climb or fall over.

Me too dumb to shift.

No I'm saying look at what happend when they tried to explain what sex was like. Homeboy found himself nuts deep in an apple pie when is dad walked in the door.

I find the more I explain to people what riding a fixed gear is like, the more the eyebrow raises and their head tilts.

If the person I'm talking to is about my height I say here...ride this for a little bit. The come back after like 5 min, sayin "WOW that was fun!"

edit: or they can't even get on the bike and decline the offer.

Mmmm....Pie...
I like Apple crumb....I'm not sure it has reached cult status though.


Enjoy

Or to smart to want to deal with gears?? *ponders*

You're right, it is a bit of a cult. And there is a lot of hype. But seriously, you just have to try it to see what the appeal is. I originally built a SS bike for city years ago because it was simple, relible and wouldn't attract theives. I could ride through the winter with vertually no maintenance. After building it I realized how much fun SS riding is. I would compare it to driving a car with a manual transmission: It's more involving, rewarding and challenging. It's also less convienient at times, and probably more tiring. You feel much more intimately connected to the road, and the machine. After you try a SS, and love it, then you can step up a fixed gear! It turns you into a junkie.

A pie junkie...

Enjoy

I find it funny that even without trying, in the end, we're discussing pie. Fixed gear and pie go together like peas and carrots.

Run Forrest....Run....The pie is ready....

Enjoy

Agreed but for some reason the "Pieku" thread got moved to "Foo"

I miss pieku

Enjoy

Why a bike? Wouldnt one benefit from the engine a motorcycle provides? Then again, why a motorcycle, wouldnt one beneft from the shelter a car provides?

its all about what you want out of life....

That's deep....like cowpie...

Enjoy

It only takes one gear to make a bike go, so I think a better question is "why multi-geared?"