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Single speed okay for UBC student?
My daughter will be attending UBC this fall and I would like to set her up with a bike for commuting. I was thinking single speed to make it as maintenance and trouble free as possible. How hilly is the UBC area? Would a single speed suffice?
Also does UBC have a bike co-op for repairs? Thanks. |
Is she going to live on campus? If so, then I think a single speed will be fine. But there is quite a hill down to Spanish banks and I would think it would be pretty hard to ride back up would be pretty tough.
If she's living off campus, again it depends upon where she's living. If she were living downtown for example, she would have a pretty nice climb every day and I would want to do that on a singlespeed. Ditto for Kitsilano. If she lived in say Kerrisdale then I wouldn't worry too much about hills. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. |
A single speed is fine but, in general, there are a fair number of hills around Vancouver. Unless she is particularly set on a single speed I would set her up with a normal 2x10 configuration It will be far more usable than a single speed. Riding a single speed will require some very high intensity efforts to climb certain hills. Want to head down to the beach and ride back to UBC with friends? Numerous hlls and routes that are tough on a single speed. My thoughts are that a single speed might be discouraging and she would end up finding alternate transportation whereas a multi-speed bike would be much easier to deal with.
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I ride all over vancouver including around the UBC peninsula on a single speed. And I live in North Van pretty high up Lonsdale so I’m definitelt familiar with the terrain. There’s a few hills that are just not fun, depending on where she’s coming from and how fit. I also assume she’ll be carrying laptops, books etc. I would instead look at a 1x set up if low maintenance is a priority. That way she can have ‘easier’ days without going to a full two derailleur set up. I love my single soeed but its strictly my winter bike just because because it is such a grind to get up some of those hills. And I’m a climber who loves hills! (140lbs... I usually do cypress and Seymour multiple times etc.) |
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Thanks for the replies. I think the best thing would be to get at least a 2x7. I like what I'm reading about Bike Kitchen's used bike program. Thanks for the link.
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The advice above is on track.
Bike kitchen is awesome. I would stay away from a single-speed if I lived at UBC. UBC itself would be fine, but getting back from downtown would be a pain. |
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