Single speed road/cx bike

I’d never go near a fixed wheel, unless on a turbo.

Funnily enough, I had a dream/ nightmare where I was taking Francesco Mosers hour bike for a spin. I’m doing great and then I realise that I need to apply the brakes 🙁

Some of these bikes have narrow (120mm) dropouts. Still room to fit a sturmey archer three speed. Modern versions have eliminated the gear slip of yore.

I think people should try fixed and see if they like it.  I tried it in 2002 and have spent most of my cycling time since then on a fixed gear.  I buy geared bikes now and again but they only last a few months before getting rid of them.  Geared bikes are faster but there is something about riding fixed gear to me that is more enjoyable.  It is so simple with nothing to think about other than turning the pedals to go or slow down.

Not much to lose if the single speed come with a fixed/free 120mm hub.

@kerley – I do keep thinking I should give fixed another shot some time before I sell the Langster! It mostly just stays on the rollers now anyway so don’t need to coast there. I remember last time I tried it (years ago!) I liked how it felt easier to climb as the momentum of the back wheel seemed to help keep the cranks turning.

I have a small 2016 Genesis Flyer in Navy blue for sale, if you are interested?

Do you have any photos of it?

I’ve just created a eBay listing for it, just easier for the photos and messaging on here isn’t possible!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116423064227?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=4lEQy3stR6C&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=4lEQy3stR6C&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Edit: Offer is set at £150 btw.

Lovely bike and a great price. Too small and I don’t need an other ?. Although a Condor caught my eye in the shop last week. But the Paddy Wagon just keeps rolling on

How would you gear a fixed for low gears on the uphills but also ‘easy’ on the downhills? For reference I’m 38/17 singlespeed at the moment…

mine is se up as 42/16 on a 26ins wheel converted mtb. 1.5in tyres, On One Mary bars, Pace RC31 forks.

I ride around the W.Berks/Hampshire/Wiltshire borders. I find I’m alright for about 30mles then I get a bit knackered. Av sp. usually between 15-16mph.

Wouldn’t catch me riding without a freewheel, never, nada, no chance, not doing it.

How steep are the hills? Generally I find it easier to heave my way up a hill than spin my way down. 42/16 is absolutely standard on off the peg road bikes. I find it too low, but have ridden lumpy 225 km on 42×15 and even 42×14 when fit. However, I just road home into a hard headwind on 42×14 with a meagre average cadence!

Original Tour de France mountain stages were ridden on fixed. Something about 74-76 inches is the sweet spot for me. If it is too steep, you can aways walk up it. And it will be harder than gears, that’s why gears were invented 😉

Aside from my SS MTB off road, you would never catch me riding a single speed with a freewheel. Has all of the disadvantages and none of the advantages of fixed and gears. Worst of all worlds.

Whereas I use a 43/18 (62 inches) on road and gravel.  I find it good gearing for gravel and easier to skid stop (I don’t have brakes) but does mean I am hitting almost 200 rpm downhill which is not ideal and my speed is hampered a bit on the road.   All about the compromise though isn’t it.

How steep are the hills?

Looking on Strava segments about 6%-8% for most part, tracking them shows a few peaks around 10%-13%. It’s a bit of a heave-ho to get up some of them but nothing to cry about, I’d call it nicely undulating.

here’s stats for one of my rides

29.02 miDistance
1:54:06Moving Time
1,601 ftElevation
117 WEstimated Avg Power
798 kJEnergy Output

Avg 15.3 mi/h
Max
Speed 40.8 mi/h
Elapsed Time
2:05:03