Single gear/speed bikes

[SanVito]

@redtail23

Biopace, sweet! We’ve got one of those on the commuter bike.

I’ve got nothing in particular against singlespeeds and fixies, if you like to ride those. I don’t, but that’s because I’m old, fat, and decrepit.

Well, fixies just a bit, because most people riding them seem to be asses, but I think that’s a factor of demographics as much as anything.

I just don’t think they’re good bikes for a relative newbie, unless maybe said newbie is already an accomplished athlete in another area.

SanVito, a hybrid is a good choice. An internal hub would be awesome - no chain, no rings; no muss, no fuss. Swapping bars out should be easy; if you buy from a bike shop, they’ll probably be willing to trade out fairly even. You do want something that you can add fenders to, and probably baskets or racks.

If you really like the road-bike geometry, you might also look at cyclocross bikes. They’re another sort of hybrid, but lean more to the road side than the MTB side.

The price difference that you’re seeing is usually in the components. It’s kind of like the levels in car models. A company will take one frame and deck it out in three or four different sents of components (wheels, gearing, pedals, brakes, seat, etc.) at different price points.

The difference in price between components is generally weight. If you want, you can pay hundreds to shave off that last few ounces. For most folks, I advise them to purchase the low-end components to start with. They are heavier, but they also tend to be a bit sturdier. Then you upgrade as components wear out - and by then you’ll have a better idea of what you prefer. And when I say “heavier”, that’s in bike terms, which thinks in ounces not pounds. If you get a good frame, not big-box-store crud, you’re going to be running fairly light to start with.

Good luck on your quest!

Great response, thanks!

Cyclecross, that takes me back. I got involved in a cyclocross team when I was about 12 and my father refused to buy me a racer (all that was available at the time) as those were ‘for boys’. So I had this awful big, clunky, heavy girls bike with fat tyres and a low crossbar that I had to carry through streams and such. ANY bike would be better than that

[Princhester]

I have an internal hub (a Shimano Nexus 8) on my commute bike. I can’t say I’ve been hugely impressed. There is the chain falling off thing, then it’s heavy and you do notice the decreased rolling efficiency. It has been low maintenance. Changing gear with any power on it doesn’t like but being able to change while still is nice.

[Panurge]

I’ve never really fancied internal hubs that much. 3-speed (like SRam’s) are mostly ok, but the more complicated it gets the more prone to failure it becomes. Internal hubs often fail before other parts of the bike. I don’t think you are supposed to change gear while pedaling if you ride with an internal hub.

That said, your chain definitely isn’t supposed to fall off! You could try to move the wheel back or remove a joint or two from your chain.

[redtail23]

Well, we were looking at them for the tandem MTB (several years ago). Weight’s not really an issue, but coordinating gear changes can be.

They’re very popular with the TMTB crowd, but for that use you have to buy very expensive, heavy-duty parts. IIRC back then, the hubs we were looking at were over a grand each. Last time I looked , there was a minimum 6 month back-order list.

So they may work a little better than your run-of-the-mill hub.

[Princhester]

@Panurge

That said, your chain definitely isn’t supposed to fall off! You could try to move the wheel back or remove a joint or two from your chain.

Well obviously but what happens is that it gradually gets slack through wear and typically the first thing that causes you to notice is your chain falling off. And if you are riding to work this is a serious PITA. I bought the bike with an internal hub to be super reliable and low maintenance but the chain thing has been irritating

[DeptfordX]

You don’t realise how hilly London is until you start biking around it for the first time.

Sure if you’re a fully fit experienced cyclist, you can get along fine with a fixie.

For someone in the OP’s position getting a bike with gears is the only way to go.

If you don’t mind a quick trip south of the river i highly reccomend the Decathalon store at Surrey Quays. The cycle guys there are brilliant and they have a large range of good quality bikes at reasonable prices.

[dropzone]

@Mr.Moto

…I own a 35-year old Raleigh with a Sturmey-Archer hub - I have to oil the thing a couple times a year and that’s about all for maintenance.

Greatest bike and hub EVER! Wish I still had mine. Is yours black with white and gold stiping?

@Panurge

I’ve never really fancied internal hubs that much. 3-speed (like SRam’s) are mostly ok, but the more complicated it gets the more prone to failure it becomes. Internal hubs often fail before other parts of the bike.

That’s because SRam is not Sturmey-Archer, whose hubs will last until the end of time with regular oiling. Which is good because you really, truly, don’t want to open one up. Did once, saw the high point of 1930s industrial complexity staring back, and closed it, only to have to reopen it because a ball bearing had fallen out. And you have to check your chain tension now and then, but putting a bike chain back on is not that much of a PITA.

I miss Sheldon Brown.

[Panurge]

@dropzone

Greatest bike and hub EVER! Wish I still had mine. Is yours black with white and gold stiping?

That’s because SRam is not Sturmey-Archer, whose hubs will last until the end of time with regular oiling. Which is good because you really, truly, don’t want to open one up. Did once, saw the high point of 1930s industrial complexity staring back, and closed it, only to have to reopen it because a ball bearing had fallen out. And you have to check your chain tension now and then, but putting a bike chain back on is not that much of a PITA.

I miss Sheldon Brown.

I’ve tried opening a 3-speed hub as well, andwhile the complexity is a wonder to behold, it is almost impossible to put it together again correctly (I failed miserably).

I miss Sheldon too.

[SanVito]

@DeptfordX

You don’t realise how hilly London is until you start biking around it for the first time.

Sure if you’re a fully fit experienced cyclist, you can get along fine with a fixie.

For someone in the OP’s position getting a bike with gears is the only way to go.

If you don’t mind a quick trip south of the river i highly reccomend the Decathalon store at Surrey Quays. The cycle guys there are brilliant and they have a large range of good quality bikes at reasonable prices.

I must confess I’m not keen on Decathlon, everything I’ve ever bought from there either falls apart, leaks, or rubs some random part of my body! Have you been to Cycle Surgery? They seem to know their stuff?

[Princhester]

@dropzone

…putting a bike chain back on is not that much of a PITA.

No problem doing it, but going in to work with very dirty hands is a pain.

[DeptfordX]

@SanVito

I must confess I’m not keen on Decathlon, everything I’ve ever bought from there either falls apart, leaks, or rubs some random part of my body! Have you been to Cycle Surgery? They seem to know their stuff?

Nope sorry, hadn’t even heard of Cycle Surgery until i just googled the name.

[Quercus]

@Princhester

I don’t understand the traction thing: why would a fixie or single speed give you better feel? When you are pedaling forward they are connected to your wheel exactly as for a geared bike.

Well yeah they’re the same when you’re pedaling forward with pressure through the whole cycle, but generally the times when traction is a concern and you really want to feel the road aren’t when you’re accelerating forward. Of course a freewheeling single speed isn’t any better than a multi-geared bike. But a fixed gear will let you feel the road better when you’re braking or rolling through a turn.

Now, I’m not saying that fun and fashion aren’t also reasons, maybe the primary reasons that most people ride fixies, but I do think that the traction/control advantage is real (for instance, I know of people who only ride their fixed gear in snowy/icy conditions).
[And, since when is ‘more fun that way and no real major drawbacks’ a bad reason to do something? Isn’t avoiding something because only snobs do it also being a slave to fashion and reverse-snobbery?]

Finally, I totally agree that a fixed gear is generally a very bad idea for someone new to cycling, so this is all moot for the OP.

[jz78817]

well, my opinion is colored by having encountered a small # of douchebag cyclists who think that they’re entitled to ignore traffic laws because they ride a fixie and it’s "just too haaaarrrrd"to stop at red lights and stop signs.

[Mr.Moto]

@dropzone

Greatest bike and hub EVER! Wish I still had mine. Is yours black with white and gold stiping?

Yep. It also has police registration stickers on it from the mid-1970s from Greenville and East Carolina University, along with a bike shop sticker for a long-defunct bike shop in Greenville.

It has your standard Raleigh Sport fitout minus the Brooks saddle - this particular bike has a Schwinn mattress saddle, also early 70s vintage and likely a bike shop substitution. Also included is a Pletscher rattrap rack to which I have strapped a couple of surplus musette bags as cheapo panniers.

It is heavy, and it is slow. It is my neighborhood bike for when I am riding with my kids and don’t need to go far or fast. I never have to do much to it, it is always ready, and it is easily the most comfortable bike I have ever owned.