Single-speed Montage or boring commuter bike?
- Thread starter robjwood
- Start date
Well, after a few days of experimenting with different gear ratios, the chain broke again! I think I've found a setting I'm happy with but now I'm starting to have doubts…
I'm confident a single-speed would be fine for my commute, but I've started to take the bike out at lunch time and in the gear setting I've settled on, some parts of the uphill journey are pretty tough, and the longer stretches leave me spinning a bit.
There's a C2W scheme at work that would allow me to get a bike for not much a month (and some servicing) and I'm debating going for that instead (and giving the Raleigh to a good home).
What do you think?
I'm confident a single-speed would be fine for my commute, but I've started to take the bike out at lunch time and in the gear setting I've settled on, some parts of the uphill journey are pretty tough, and the longer stretches leave me spinning a bit.
There's a C2W scheme at work that would allow me to get a bike for not much a month (and some servicing) and I'm debating going for that instead (and giving the Raleigh to a good home).
What do you think?
robjwood":2rl2zk2c said:
Tough one.......Its difficult to get a compromise with a Single Speeder unless you are a hardened rider, it amazes me how some of them take their SS steeds on all manner of Cross Country Trails and Gradients. I've seena few 1 x 8 set-ups making an appearance on the trails, seems like its a no frills option if you want to retain simplicity.
The C2W scheme is a great option if you want a bang up-to-date bike that will give you all round pleasure (£1000 will get you a lot check out the reviews in MBUK, MBR Magazine) Sadly it will mean you break away from the Retro Community, unless you keep the Raleigh as a weekend classic ride.
If you need to shift it there are plenty of riders who would offer it a good home (Me included) got a soft spot for Raleighs and owned several over the years, sadly none in the Man Cave right now.
Anyway,
The Choice Is Yours............
robjwood":2y3qzpxt said:
That's the whole point of singlespeeding!
Uphill you will get stronger, fitter and learn to resist pain more when the only other option is walking. It's a brilliant way to force yourself to work hard, kind of like a Royal Marines Sergeant shouting at you... :shock:
Downhill and on the spinny bits you will learn to pedal faster and more smoothly.
Do it. You won't regret it. I went over 4 years ago and a singlespeed is now my first choice to ride...
Thanks once again for the responses.
I have to admit, I'm pretty emotionally attached to the old Montage and would like to keep it going. Also, although my knowledge of bikes is fairly limited, I think it's still in pretty good nick apart from a few rusty parts (which I can replace) and the knocks and scrapes on the frame (which are all part of the character).
While I'm on the subject, I've noticed that the ride is pretty hard. It's fine for the smooth roads but on rutted paths and the like, it's pretty bone-jarring. Aside from reducing the tyre pressure a little, is there any benefit to getting balloon tyres?
I have to admit, I'm pretty emotionally attached to the old Montage and would like to keep it going. Also, although my knowledge of bikes is fairly limited, I think it's still in pretty good nick apart from a few rusty parts (which I can replace) and the knocks and scrapes on the frame (which are all part of the character).
While I'm on the subject, I've noticed that the ride is pretty hard. It's fine for the smooth roads but on rutted paths and the like, it's pretty bone-jarring. Aside from reducing the tyre pressure a little, is there any benefit to getting balloon tyres?
