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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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[–] beastlykings@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day 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 13 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 11 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 11 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.