I've been riding an old Bianchi Volpe on some short tours, but I've seen quite a few folks on single speed bikes recently. Initially I thought "what idiots", they might look good without all the fussy stuff hanging off most bikes, but it carn't be fun to ride one gear. Anyway I did some reading and found lots of enthusiastic comments so today i went out on a training ride and did the whole 30 miles in a single gear, 36-15. I was amazed at how much fun it was. The hills got to my legs, but I made them, and I found myself enjoying the ride far more not continually shifting and feeling that I have to hammer in a big gear. The single gear was a sort of negative feedback keeping me around 18 mph on the flats.
So my question is, what's a good single speed for a novice (not fixed just yet). I like steel, and lugs are nice, so I was looking at a Rivendel Quickbeam, but its pricey. Any thoughts on Bianchi, Gunnar, Surly or Rayleigh?
So my question is, what's a good single speed for a novice (not fixed just yet). I like steel, and lugs are nice, so I was looking at a Rivendel Quickbeam, but its pricey. Any thoughts on Bianchi, Gunnar, Surly or Rayleigh?