Who rides singlespeed and why?

Its all about having fun to me. I love to ride my SS as long as I am in shape to do so. There are those seasons, like this one, that my saddle time has been so little that the SS can be a little less fun than others just b/c it kicks my butt so much. Riding a SS can also teach you alot about momentum which will help you a lot if you do decide to ride a geared bike again.

 

easier to maintain, I can concentrate on the terrain instead of worrying about my gear and any spots where I'm going to need to make a fast shift, and for some reason the technical sections of the mountain bike trails I ride on seem to be easier using a singlespeed.

 

I love the single-speed for running around town and cruising to a buddies place for a few beers. The only worry I have on a SS is getting a flat. But, with good tires and liners, that thing is almost bullet-proof. I much preffer a possible drunk in public charge over a DUI. Anytime I wanna grab some drinks but don't have a driver home or a place to stay, I'm on the bike.

 

Flats are just a pain in general. I carry the spare stuff needed. I just hate dealing with it. That's pretty much the only weakness found on a fixed gear bike though.

 

For me, fixed = simplicity and control. I love the direct, part of the machinery feel to riding fixed. Climbing is much easier on it (than in the equivalent gear inch on a geared bike) and it's a real motivation knowing that you have to get to the top in the one gear you have, no bail out!

I started riding fixed around 5 years ago (excluding any childhood tricycle!) when I used to live in central London (UK). I was a bit unsure at first and had a few incidents but persevered and now love it. It is now my prefered ride.

I've never off-roaded on fixed though... well, nothing significant anyway.

 

I prefer not having to shift all the time when I'm riding

 

Simplicity of bike, simplicity of mind. I ride single speed when I'm with less aggressive multi speed riders to level the playing field. I also enjoy my bullet proof 35c tires.

 

I don't understand why a ss would be more likely to get a flat than any other bike.

 

My new BMX only has one gear. It's nice to not be overburdened with choices.

 

Yeah, I crush sprockets and explode chains alot too.

These aren't fixie specific but may be abuse related. I suppose a fixie may average more moments at high torque but well below hardware limits.

BTW I find flat repair takes 7 min. on my fixie instead of 5 on my multi-spd. It takes 2 minutes longer to adjust the chain. I ride Oneway with 35c, 75 psi bullet proof tires compared to my 23c 120 psi 18 spd.

 

i have two bikes... both singlespeed. one commuter/cross-ish fixie beater that i love and will never get rid of. its nothing special but it caused me to fall in love with biking again after a spell of annoying trips to the mechanic with my gear bikes. my second is my new surly 1x1 ss mountain bike. i've only been able to take off-road a couple of times due to weather. ssing is about simplicity... very little maintenance, the ride becomes about the ride.

 

He-he, I posed this same question to a young guy (20s to 30s) at my LBS and his answer was basically, "because it's cool." I don't really know whether his answer was tainted by the fact that they would like to sell high-end multi-speed bikes, but his answer didn't seem to help me understand why anyone would want a single-speed.

You see, my family was too poor to afford even a 10-spd Schwinn when I was young so I rode whatever I was given, but always wished for a 10-speed in the mid 1960s. So I have A LOT of trouble understanding why anyone would want one today.

Steve

 

because its more work

I have quite a few bikes and I can get a good workout on my fixed gear( Its a "Superman" inspired time trial frame I built with a very long top tube) when I ride about ten miles and the next day comes around, I'm a bit sore but I still have grin on my face.

Granted When I was riding home I got passed by a neighbor because he could dive around the corners, still I would not trade in that ride or the feeling I got for the world.

Mike Frye the bike guy