Cruise with Ease, Use a Single-speed Bike

By Nia Lawrence


If you've gotten too accustomed to multi-geared bikes that you never even consider the conveniences of single speed bikes, then you've probably missed the practical pleasures of simple cruising. It's true that multispeed bikes are as efficient as they come, especially if you're using these on trails that come across a variety of terrain. Biking used to involve conveniences instead of thrills, though, and you'll likely waste most of the time you spend with your multispeed bike trying to figure out when to shift. Shifting is also a challenging task because you'll have to feel the most opportune moment to do so. If you don't, then the rail chain could easy fall out of alignment and shift into the spokes instead.

Single speed bikes prioritize convenience over performance; you're freed from the worries of repositioning the derailed chain every so often. Even if the single gear severely limits speed and terrain accessibilities, it'll compensate for these in terms of reliability. You can consider a single-speed bike as the most efficient setup for cruising. There are no gear ratios to contend with, and since you'll likely only use it on level terrain, maintaining your speed doesn't require much pedaling effort.

The configuration of single-gear bikes is simple enough, even if you factor in their basic categories. The fixed-gear setup is a staple feature of the oldest bicycles because it's so simple that it just might work. Single speed bikes are perfect for level terrain because the load is directly transferred from the pedal to the rear wheel's spoke. The orientation of the pedals always depends on the rotation of the rear wheel, though, so you can't maximize the momentum if you'll ride it out. You can't coast with fixed gears, but you'll at least feel the results of your pedaling. You can also go all out with the effort because you're free from the worries of a derailed chain.

Fixed-gear bikes offer a stark contrast to freewheel setups, since the latter allows you to enjoy the benefits of the momentum you've built. The ride will somehow feel more natural because you can coast through extended distances every so often. The configuration preferences differ, though, so you can choose either setup to see which one will work for you. Freewheel setups offer a better feel of the bike's control dynamics, but fixed gears let you overcome the long learning curve with the relatively difficult configuration.

Single speed bikes can simultaneously accommodate both configurations, though, so you can shift between fixed-gear and freewheel setups whenever you need to. Most people warm up quickly to the fixed gear option, only shifting to freewheel when they feel that a leg cramp is coming because they'll have to pause their pedaling and maximize the momentum by coasting.




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