Single speed
Thinking about my next commuting bike, I have become interested in the idea of getting a single speed bike. (I wouldn’t want a fixed gear bike for commuting, though some do choose to have it ) A single speed bike would have certain advantages over a conventional bike, and also I like the simplicity of a single speed bike. If any of our readers would like to share their thoughts/experiences on single speed bikes I would be interested to hear them.
(A fixed gear is a specific type of a single speed bike, in which the rider is forced to keep pedalling, there is no freewheel mechanism)
Advantages of Single Speed Bikes
Single Speed
- Cheaper to maintain – Don’t have cassette Blocks wearing out.
- Easier to maintain – No fiddly gears to deal with.
- Straight chain-line is more efficient.
- Improves pedalling action. Learn to spin fast and also churn big gears up hills
- Lighter
- Cool? – The Simplicity of the original bike design.
- Enjoyable to ride single speed. No worries about which gear to be in. Gives a feeling for the orginal ‘purity’ of cycling
Disadvantages of Single Speed Bikes
- Not so good on steep hills.
- Top speed is lower. More difficult to win those unofficial commuting races.
- Harder to get going from traffic lights, especially if on an uphill.
- Relatively More expensive. Single speed don’t seem to be made with the same economies of scale as 21 speed MTB’s and hybrid markets. Therefore, you kind of pay more for less components.
- Fixed single speeds can be more stressful on your knees. You often have to cycle lower cadence and place more stress on joints.
Single Speed Bike Reviews
Specialized Langster Steel.
See: review on Specialized Langster single speed. For me this wasn’t a great commuting bike. The Steel version is a lovely bike to ride, but track bars and position of bike is not ideal for commute riding. However, the Aluminium version of the Langster Steel gives a relatively lightweight practical single speed for commuting and has a nice image.
Dawes Mono.
The Dawes Mono. See: Review on Dawes Mono One advantage of the Dawes Mono is that you have choice of fixed or freewheel. You can just flip over the rear wheel and change mechanism. Comes with carbon forks and steel frame, a little bit pricey at £650. Will appeal to commuter interested in practical features like clip on mudguards.
Trek 2nd District.
See review on Trek 2nd District. Trek really know how to make good bikes at a low price. This single speed with drop handlebars felt quite nifty around town and I enjoyed riding.
Charge Plug / Sink
See: review of Charge Sink – The Charge Sink is a great looking single speed with some top end components (Shimano, Kenda tyres, Tektro brakes. The sink comes with horizontal bars. The more widely distributed Charge Plug has bullhorn handlebars on some models.
Single Speed Bikes under £300
Raleigh Flyer
A single speed bike under £300 will use most basic components. But, at least with single speed, there are less things to go wrong.
I tested this Raleigh Flyer – on sale for only £230 – £240. It’s not the lightest single speed by a long way. But, it looks pretty good, and if you’re on a strict budget, it’s a good place to start.
Related
- Single Speed Bikes at Wiggle
- Single Speed Bikes at Evans Cycles
A coaster brake and no handbrake is just plain dangerous.
If the chain happens to break or fall off, you’ve no braking power at all. Just the ticket for steep descent into a busy intersection.
You could always compromise by having something like Sturmey Archer’s (cable-free) S2C duomatic hub. This gives you 2 gears, direct drive and one about a third higher, together with a coaster (back pedal) brake. You would then have 2 gears but maintain the minimalistic appeal of the single speed set up.
I’ve just got a new Marin 24 speed mountain bike, at the same time as I noticed single speeds……..so, my old mountain bike is giving up it’s excesses to become a single speed (no fixie for me, bad knees from motorcycle crash!) for tooling around on. I just love the clean style, brake free, gear free, smooth.
I’d love a beaut looking single speed but I like the long weekend rides as well as commuting (nothing serious and with pub stops involved). Does anyone have experience of using them on longer road rides with a few hills thrown in?
Got it… a genesis Flyer… I think
Hi. What’s the white bike in the second picture down? That’s a tasty looking thing, as far as I can tell.
So any top tips for which one to go for? I’m too time poor (and incompetent) to build my own and too cash poor to spend a fortune having had two multi-speed bikes nicked in the last year. All suggestions welcome. The Mongoose seems to get pretty good reviews and cheaper then many.
I’ve been riding fixed wheel bikes for about 54 years and
consider it the most enjoyable form of cycling. I’ve commuted in London and Vancouver, having little trouble with the hills or the traffic light sprints. Usually I ride about a 63″ gear, 47 x 20 x 700c. Whilst I sometimes
have trouble keeping up with my younger clubmates,
I don’t manage much better when riding gears…
dear all,
Yes like many I am changing geared bike to SS one as fed up with gear problems/repairs/adjustments. What cog size (or teeth number?) is good for the rear wheel do you think. don’t worry about hills as too few to mention around where i live. Am fairly fit. 27″ wheel I believe.
I am also looking into getting a single speed, but will not go the whole hog and get a fixed gear, as i still have vivid memories of riding my dads fixie, and going over the handle bars whenever i forgot myself and stopped peddling down hills, you would think that once would do it, but oh no, took a few tubles for it to sink in, lol.
The Swiss Army pedalled great distances throughout the Alps on heavy steel single-speed bicycles! I’m considering one for my commuting in hilly Lisbon, Portugal.
SS bikes rule. unbeatable. been back on one, well two, for 6 years now. one commuter, one 29er mountain bike for off-road. it’s like being 13 again and riding a bmx. the love is back. i do 120 miles a week, all SS.
do it!!
Ali, SS are perfect for London – there are only a few really big hills which are easily avoided until you feel confident! I got one last August and it’s excellent fun. I’d definitely recommend it.
hey guys, i love the look of the single speed bike . i have been getting healthier in the past 6 months, first by stopping smoking and now thinking of cycling. do single speed bikes work in london??? i am very close to getting one but i need your help to push me. thanks
You should definitely get one. You make your own speed! Had a great winter of commuting for the first time in years in Glasgow due to simplicity and hassle free cycling that my single speed afforded me. One thing though…just don’t become a fakenger! Truly sad.
Just get one you will love it
I too am seriously toying with the idea of a single speed, having spent the last few months eyeing up other riders’ bikes on London streets, the Single Speeds are really quite elegant and simple. Okay, so I may loose some of the practicalities that gears give, but as I think it through i think its quite an easy decision – SINGLE SPEED IT IS (followed by fixed in a few months time…)
I have never tried a single speed bike, but somehow feel drawn to the simplicity and the simple ethos that a single speed bike would bring. I guess it feels like belonging to an exclusive club. However living out in the jungle near the Cambodian border god knows where I would get my Trek 8500 converted….?
Thanks John,
I like the idea, although I do like racing away from traffic lights and leave all the other cyclists far behind (sad I know
single speeds are the most fun you can have on a bike specially for commuting, but if you like speed forget it ! these are for people that have nothing to prove.