klia said:
Dear All,
It was said to me that multi-speed bikes have been invented to make pedalling easier. Well, I am a newbie and so I'd like to know in what way multispeed-bikes are indeed better than singlespeeds and in what way aren't, and what are the unique advantages of singlespeeds. Could you, please, tell me about that?
I'll be happy with a cross-reference as well if there was once a topic dealing with this question!
(The subject is weighty for me as my knees are not that good and so I'd need a bike which favours them the most.
Dear Klia,
I have only been seriously riding my bicycle in the last 18 months. I pridefully own and ride everyday (though I am not a commuter) a singlespeed 2004 Bianchi S.A.S.S. aka, "My Italian *****es sexy ass." or "Sassy" as I call it. Since taking cycling more seriously and riding more aggressively, and really steppig it up since this spring, I don't think I will ever purchase anything other than a manufactured singlespeed. I am considering acquiring a singlespeed cyclecross bike next month: Bianchi San Jose (at a mere cost of 570 in comparison to its geared counterpart of $900) and plan on using it for touring and commuting the 10 mile long trip each way to work. You asked for benefits, so from personal experience here goes:
1.) I ride with both singlespeed riders and geared cyclists. I outride friends with geared bikes from an endurance and speed standpoint with the only exception of long runs on flat plains.
2.) My bike requires no maintenance aside changing tubes and adjusting the disc brakes once in a while.
3.) My no suspension $800 bicycle with 26 x 2.4 inch tires (my suspension) weighs 17 lbs. (holy sh!t that's light). (You can get a SS for much cheaper than this btw, getting a good frame I personally think is worth it, it has value to feel good about adding better components to your bike as you ride it more often).
4.) I never get tired. My friends do. (My friend's full-suspension specialized $2,000 and some change bike weighs around 31 pounds, I think that's considered light for what it is. And my father's full-suspension $3,100 PORSCHE bike weights 25 pounds and it's made out freaking of magnesium).
5.) I have yet to find any mountain, hill, road, revine, whatever that I can't ride up. Oh and my bike doesn't make annoying ass noises. I hear the crank everyonce in a while when I'm really hammering it, but other than that, it's a very quiet and relaxing ride.
6.) Anytime I show up to a gather of bicyclists, whether it be grocery shopping or at a race in Park City (Dear Valley) people look at my bike and go "What in the hell is that?" or "how many gears does that thing have?" blah blah blah, and since I am attention ***** and adore my individualism I love that my bike stands out from the crowd. How many singlespeed italian bicycles with no suspension and gigantic tires, with a chrome frame do you see riding around? I haven't seen another yet. :-D
7.) Have you ever tried to ride a bike drunk with gears? Yeah, me either, singlespeed works well with a group of friends all ready go drunken cycling on their mutually awesome singlespeed and fixed gear bikes.
I don't know if the above helps you or not, but the statements I have written are what first comes to mind, my true experience and did I mention? I'm sure I wrote pridefully, but it's true, I love my bike and I love the culture that surrounds it.
Best,
-duskins ; )
22-years-old
SLC, UT