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What is the smallest hill you would die on? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 3 days ago by Melatonin@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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[–] superkret@feddit.org 11 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Single-speed bicycles suck.
They combine the drawbacks of a geared bike with the drawbacks of a fixed gear bike.

[–] beastlykings@sh.itjust.works 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

I'm so confused. Drawbacks of a geared bike? As opposed to what? Flintstoning it?

I must just not be understanding what you mean.

I've ridden bikes with no derailer or gears, when you backpedal, you brake.

And I've ridden mountain bikes with front and rear gear changing.

I know there are super exotic driveshaft bikes, and electric etc, but besides that, what could you be talking about?

[–] superkret@feddit.org 1 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Fixed Gear advantages:

can slow down by pushing back on pedals -> almost no brake pad wear
almost no maintenance
can do trackstands and ride backwards
unique, fun riding style
completely quiet drivetrain
less interesting to thieves

Drawback:

can't switch gears

Geared Bike advantage:

can switch gears

Drawbacks:

basically the inverse of everything above

Single-Speed bikes can do none of the things fixed gear bikes can do, and also can't switch gears.

[–] beastlykings@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Thanks for this, but I apologize, I'm still confused.

You've described fixed gear, and geared, I think we now agree as to what these are.

But what is a single speed bike? I've never heard of it. Is it a geared bike, with only one gear, but still has a tensioner? So it can't have hub brakes? Why would such a thing exist?

[–] superkret@feddit.org 1 points 4 hours ago

It's a bike with only one gear with a freewheel. Lets you coast without pedaling.
They're more popular than fixed gear where I live, cause you can ride them like a normal bicycle.
The reason is less maintenance and fewer things to break. I guess they work well for utility cycling in flat areas, but some people are crazy enough to compete in Mountainbike races with them.

[–] null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Whaaat.

I'm not necessarily challenging your opinion because aparently you're going to die on this hill, but ...

This is not a tiny hill.

But most people would say that single speed has none of the disadvantages of fixed.

As an aside, I have 3 bikes. I've never ridden a fixie but holy fuck I would love to have one.

[–] GoodLuckToFriends@lemmy.today 1 points 1 day ago

The best thing about the fixed gear was the quick and sudden slides you can do with the rear wheel.

But most people would say that single speed has none of the disadvantages of fixed.

The incessant pedaling even as you're slowing or cruising can be horrible though. The single speed definitely fixes that.