Nervous about committing to Single Speed

Hi I'm new to LFGSS so forgive me if I come across as a bit of an idiot.

I've been wanting to get a single speed bike for sometime for getting around London, as the benefits have always appealed to me, especially with regards to the minimal need for maintenance. Now I have an opportunity to get one (the Mango Bikes Point Blank to be precise), but I'm worried that I might be making the wrong choice. I've always ridden geared bikes, and I'm worried committing to a single speed will make life difficult getting around in London.

Does anyone have any personal experience to share on what it was like for them switching over to single speed and any bad experiences they've had in regards the the lack of gears?

I know I'm probably fussing over what could potentially be a good choice, but I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks,

CJ

1. You'll be fine. London's generally flat.
   
2. Don't get a Mango. They literally fall apart in front of your very eyes.
   

Best entry level single speed is probably the Charge Plug. Go for that if you want something new. Otherwise, check the classifieds here.

1. If it's mostly flat, pick a gear you can live with and won't blow up your knees when stop-starting at lights and junctions.

2. Never heard of Mango. Fuji Track with risers would keep me happy if starting new and with a budget.

3. Forum loves lists :)

4. You will spin more as only one gear, lack of gears depends on what climbing you have to do and how far you are going and how quick you want to cover that distance.
   I recently jumped to Fixed but kept the same 42x18 i use for road SS. This gets me around at a steady 15mph, up to 20mph isn't too hard, 25mph is really spinny,spintowin, if i want to cruise at 20-25mph i need to alter gearing and accept i can go faster on the flat/downhill but knees might struggle when pulling away from lights/junctions and uphilly bits.
   In mountain biking 32x16 is popular as a starting point but thats for offroading.

I find SS much easier in town: instead of worrying about which gear I'm in, I can concentrate on the traffic.

Don't worry about gearing: you'd be surprised what you can do when you have no choice. Around 66" is good when you have to start and stop a lot.

Semi-forum quasi-approved OTP SS's in no order:

1. Charge Plug
   
2. On One Pompino
   
3. Fuji Track
   
4. Dolan FXE
   
5. Specialized Langster
   
6. Genesis Flyer
   
7. ...
   

1.Charge Plug
2.On One Pompino
3.Fuji Track
4.Dolan FXE
5.Specialized Langster
6.Genesis Flyer
7.Forum small ads, complete bike or project build up

you've only gone and changed the list subject (all caps, yelling)!

Been playing on bikecalc....again....
Mangos 46x16 gear = 76.2GI
Swap to 46x18 gear = 67.7GI (all on 25c tyre)

Mine 42x18 gear = 61.6GI I get good fast easy spin up but loose top end speed

@bikes_knob, answers and changing things without really reading what your answering is one of the unwritten forum rules :)

Ive only ever ridden fixed and single speed and im nevous about trying gears

don't be nervous, some of the most exciting times in your life are when you leap into something completely new,
and it's not like you really have to commit
it isn't a marriage

if you don't get along just separate
move on and try again with gears

Mangos 46x16 gear = 76.2GI

That's a ridiculous gear, especially for a sweet, urban fixeh.

To be honest participating in lfgss is more scary than riding a fixed wheel bike. Single speed is not as much fun as fixed.

and mango bikes are terrible

How so? 48x15 (fixed, not ss) works for me around London. I wouldn't attempt Muswell Hill but gets me up Bishops Avenue faster than my geared bike.

~85" for around town? Knees dude. Knees!

You may be able to turn it, but it doesn't mean that a much lower gear wouldn't be a better choice.

Starting and stopping are two things that would be much easier: getting the jump at the lights is safer than grinding away in the queue and your knees will thank you when you have to halt.

You'd have greater bike control not straining to get on top of the gear and I'd also put money on your average speed increasing.

Is your cadence even in double figures? "Spin To Win" yo!

48/19 ratio of the gods

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I'm worried committing to a single speed.

The good news is with most track derivative frames you're not limited to singlespeed: you can put a cog and lockring on and fall in love with fixed.

I guess I find a lower cadence more comfortable, on roadie and fixed, maybe 80-85ish, but can spin when I have to.

I've run that gearing on my fixed for about 3500 miles and it's been fine. Kneecaps haven't popped off yet :)

Looking at my last few commutes, strava gives an average of about 16/17mph but generally I tend to hold 20mph upwards when moving and I don't find pulling away too bad.

I wouldn't do it brakeless, and I don't rely on leg braking to slow me down.

Hi I'm new to LFGSS so forgive me if I come across as a bit of an idiot

@CJWilliams We forgot to say 'hi, you'll fit right in'. Typically you won't be forgiven for being an idiot without first apologising for being an idiot. Good instincts.

I hope we stopped you from lighting £400 on fire!

Each to their own and all that!

How did you settle on that gear? Did you try lower gears and work upwards?

I wouldn't call a cadence of 80/85 particularly low: perhaps there's a contract in the offing? :)

:) I got a fixed gear after riding road for a few years, didn't know what I was doing so initially had 48x16 which I found a bit gutless/too spinny, so tried 15 and found it to be a good compromise. Never found it too bad so stuck with it. I've got a 14 on the other side but haven't tried it yet :)

If there's any contract out there for a (mostly ex) smoker who likes cake, sign me up!

16-17mph average on 48x15 is nearer 65 cadences than 85.

As you suggest, mid80s GI is usually good for averaging 20-25mph but you're obvs taking an age to get there at the mo to drag your average down to 16-17. I reckon you'd go quicker if you went to 48x17 or 18. Or ideally, of course, 48x19 the ratio of the true professional commuter.