Singlespeed - Some advice required!

[benmtbrider]

Hi all,

Just thought i'd use the forum to gauge opinion on the possible purchase of a singlespeed steed.

I have been debating this for a while, I currently have two bikes, my '06 Iron Horse Mk3 Comp and a Custom Build Hardtail(Kona Pahoehoe Easton Ultralight Frame). And this is where my dilema begins.

I ride my bike to work most days. Custom Build is off the road at the mo, doing some works on the brakes, forks and wheels after the summer. So I am riding a rather expensive bike to and from work, on the road. The issue of wear and tear on an expensive bike rears its ugly head, instead of wear and tear from off road use, i am now battling with wear and tear from regular road use. I was going to sell my Custom Build and buy a singlespeed, hoping this will reduce wear and tear cost(less to go wrong!) also to improve my fitness, to include some singlespeed training at weekends.

I am looking at This Bike (http://www.bikedock.com/posit/shop/sale-genesis-io.php), inexpensive and just what i am looking for. I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this bike, if not any recommendations?

I had attempted to convert my hardtail with various bits from a singlespeed specialist in England, but there was the issue of getting the chainline correct, the right set-up generally. Which is why i am looking at a dedicated singlespeed bike.

I know this might seem like a step backwards and if the post is a little garbled, sorry! ::yikes::

Thanks in advance!!!

[PaulG]

Are you using it for mainly road use? Would you consider the Kona Paddy Wagon? I'm sure Steve could lower himself to get a road bike in :)

Or check out Felts new one. There's a single speed section on Wiggle.co.uk The '09 felt looks gorgeous in white and has a relatively low gear.

bikeradar.com has reviews of a few single speeds. There are a few offroad ones in there if you look hard enough at their reviews or just do a search on their website.

(I know I haven't answered anything on the bike you asked about. Looks like a good deal but you could be spinning as a gazillion rpm on the flat and downhill. Personally I love the notion of a singlespeed. The Felt might just be my next splurge ;) )

Happy spinning :)

[van donk III]

I turned an old sunn nail into a single speed commuter rig without much hassle. As far as the chain line goes, just fire a few spacers on the chainring till its straight with the cog at the back of the bike. Easy.

[banjoboy]

come on van donk! you're no fun! the lad does not want a singlespeed, he wants to BUY a singlespeed, and is seeking some validation! :-D

[van donk III]

come on van donk! you're no fun! the lad does not want a singlespeed, he wants to BUY a singlespeed, and is seeking some validation! :-D


http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r309/van_donk_III/The-Penny-Farthing-Bicycle-Giclee-P.jpg

perhaps sir would like to purchase this beauty. Cant get more singlespeed that this.

[benmtbrider]

van donk III, sold!!!!!

[benmtbrider]

van donk has a point, i should have been more specific, but thanks for fighting my corner banjo!

I am considering getting rid of my hardtail custom rig, in favour of a singlespeed, the next question to follow on naturally from PaulG's reply, is that once i have decided on a rig, what set-up to go for, my trip to work isn't particularly hilly, but i don't want to struggle straight from the off, when venturing off road!!

Oh the questions keep coming thick and fast!

:confused:

[tankslapper]

You need this........

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html


and one of these....

http://mos.bikeradar.com/images/bikes-and-gear/bikes/mountain/WMB77/WMB77.bt_big.one1-399-75.jpg

[benmtbrider]

I know the On One, it looks an amazing bit of kit, but my last look at the website it appeared that building one using the online facilities was somewhat bugged, i will take a trip there now and have another look, i did see an On One singlespeed build a few years ago, that a friend bought, i was tempted then, so could be a possibility!

:)

[tankslapper]

I have an Inbred and the latest creation http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Slot_Dropout_Inbred_27.html is a beast with brake mounts and everything.

I used mine to do the black run at Llandegla N.Wales a couple of weeks ago and stuffed a lot of guys half my age - it really was an epiphany! After months of fecking about with what should be a simple set up, cracking noises and slipping rear hubs it all came together that day. It was priceless watching the 'all-the-gear-no-idea-mob' getting wrecked as I strolled past them chatting. I even said 'Jeez mate your lucky, could you lend me some gears and suspension?' (On One Carbon Rigid Forks!)

TS
It hones your skills, forces you to ride the truest line, and (and yes it still amazes me!) makes you way, way faster.............

[RobS]

the gearing on that genesis is woeful for a commute, unless you've got super super climbs and want to freewheel the downhill bits? if your commute is on the road, get a 700x23 wheled bike, sack off the big wheeels man!

[tankslapper]

Second what RobS says. If its a flatter than flat commute then you proabaly want somnething like a Charge Plug

http://www.evanscycles.com/product_image/image/71c/94f/268/22013/product_page/charge-plug-freestyler-2008-road-bike.jpg?1223604498

[benmtbrider]

yes, it is a flat commute, its just along the A23 belfast ring road for 6.5 miles, so no big climbs, i wanted something i could use during the week for commutes and weekends maybe off road for some training, having only heard about the benefits of training with a singlespeed treader!

[benmtbrider]

RobS you have no idea the pressure i have from someone i work with to convert!!! He alsmost has me convinced, but not yet! Fat Tyres and Knobblies all the way!!!

[PaulG]

RobS you have no idea the pressure i have from someone i work with to convert!!! He alsmost has me convinced, but not yet! Fat Tyres and Knobblies all the way!!!

Listen to your wise colleague and give in to the power of peer pressure ;) Don't look on it as coverting, rather adding another string to your metaphoric cycling bow or something like that! You're not selling out to the great god of knobblies and small wheels, just making your commute way, way easier and the higher gear on the road will benefit your mountainbiking too!

Listen to the whispering voices. Get a skinny tyred wench for commuting. And buy an on-one for off roading ;)

You can never have too many bikes, just not enough time to use them!

[RockHopper89]

On One have been helpful via email getting a pal's 29er rim sorted. I'm sure they're good on the phone too.

If your buying a bike for commuting look into whether your employer participates in a cycle purchase scheme. You could save £££s or at least spread the payments a bit.

[benmtbrider]

If your buying a bike for commuting look into whether your employer participates in a cycle purchase scheme. You could save £££s or at least spread the payments a bit.

I am looking into this, at the moment not, but it is under consideration. I am hoping it will happen sometime soon, having looked into it, it almost seems to good to be true! I know it is, and I hope my current employers look at it as a good venture.

[benmtbrider]

You're not selling out to the great god of knobblies and small wheels, just making your commute way, way easier and the higher gear on the road will benefit your mountainbiking too!

Listen to the whispering voices. Get a skinny tyred wench for commuting. And buy an on-one for off roading ;)

You can never have too many bikes, just not enough time to use them!

I know what you mean, I am now considering a complete change. Getting rid of both my Custom Hardtail, and Full Susser, and getting a singlespeed(maybe a skinny tyred road bike, MAYBE) and then having on one build me something a bit special! I have wanted an on one for a while! Now might be the time!

The reason for getting rid of two and getting another two in is i simply don't have the room for 3 or 4 bikes and with a new baby on the way, even less room!!!! :annoyed:

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, keep the ideas coming though, this is making things a little easier for me. :D

[PaulG]

These boys are worth a look too
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/category/340/BIKES_SINGLE_SPEED_AND_FIXED

Here's the Felt Dispatch I was saying about
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog-unitedkingdom/urban-alternative/fixie/09-dispatch.aspx

The Breed is another interesting option-a single speed cyclocross machine that is perfect for commuting but only light off roading. I got myself a cyclocross bike recently and have been amazed just how fast it is offroad. Obviously nothing extreme but I'm well impressed with the relative comfort!
http://www.feltracing.com/09-catalog-unitedkingdom/urban-alternative/fixie/09-breed.aspx

Check out websites like Evans too just to get an idea of what's out there.

Happy bike shopping :)

[Davyb]

I got the Genesis IO and must say im loving it. But i bought the Spech for my commutes. higher gear ratio and knobblies to boot :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2692914768_1faf1649bf.jpg

[beechill_banty]

I got the Genesis IO and must say im loving it. But i bought the Spech for my commutes. higher gear ratio and knobblies to boot :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2692914768_1faf1649bf.jpg

Although mine has gears, so can't comment on the SS version, I have to say that the tricross is an exceptional commuter bike

[tankslapper]

Consider also the On One Pompino (there was a secondhand complete one on STW for £225)

Or sumat by Surly

[pug_tech]

I got the Genesis IO and must say im loving it. But i bought the Spech for my commutes. higher gear ratio and knobblies to boot :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2692914768_1faf1649bf.jpg


great bike to use for commuting, mum does 22 mile round trip a day for 2 years and no problems apart from new pads etc :)

[the doozer]

one gear means you can only travel at one speed
what you want is a new 30 speed bike

[Michael]

Dingle(?) speed required, I have an 18in Inbred if you want a ride On-One it is geared though ;)

[simon]

one gear means you can only travel at one speed
what you want is a new 30 speed bike

I'm pretty sure last time I checked my legs were able to tun slowly, quickly or something kinda in the middle

[MrNuts]

I'm pretty sure last time I checked my legs were able to tun slowly, quickly or something kinda in the middle

mine go much slower up the hills than down and i have gears as well!! ;)

[barry_kellett99]

I'm pretty sure last time I checked my legs were able to tun slowly, quickly or something kinda in the middle

The old single speed joke is also very true...
3 gears... sit down, stand up and Get off to push

I haven't found a hill to beat mine yet.

[Aul Han]

Having finally read the thread there seems to be a lot of sense on here, I agree with PaulG, RobS et al: Big wheels for the road and then another mountainbike.

The "One SS does all" or "One bike does all approach" doesnt work, for me at least, I M H O.

[barry_kellett99]

[/I]I haven't found a hill to beat mine yet.

Ok, I may have bragged too soon. my never ending search for the ultimate hill is complete.

Cornmill hill 1-0 Singlespeed Barry

Its like hitting a brick wall when you come round the corner, its no length but incredibly steep. I went for 3rd gear on the pompino to topple it.

[Aul Han]

Ok, I may have bragged too soon. my never ending search for the ultimate hill is complete.

Cornmill hill 1-0 Singlespeed Barry

Its like hitting a brick wall when you come round the corner, its no length but incredibly steep. I went for 3rd gear on the pompino to topple it.

Maybe if you didnt run a 54/11 or whatever that crazy gear is you would have got up it?? :)