[Mugnut]

There's a cross/hybrid bike thread and a single speed thread out there - but I was hoping to start a new one without drifting either of the existing ones too far.

Looking for the quivver of one in a bike. I'm thinking that a single speed cross-type bike might be the perfect around town, short commutes, some trail rides etc. bike. Fun and versatile.

Anyone using single speed for this purpose? Specifically, I'll be looking at the IRO Rob Roy and the Surly Cross Check (built up as a single speed). Also looking at some cross bikes in multi gear congig., but single speed seems like a blast.

Anyone's thoughts on other options and desirable configurations (bars, pedals, etc.) would be welcome.

[SkaredShtles]

[Carbo]

ss, especially fixed gears, are very much like telemark gear. It's antiquated(sp?) technology that has mostly drawbacks, a few benefits, a small group of fanatical followers, and everyone else doesn't get it.

I love how the clean lines of single speeds look, appreciate the idea, but don't own one. Maybe someday, after I buy a few other bikes first, I'll get a fixie for fun. But, I don't see a religious change happening (like happened for tele after being in bondage) and my gears work just fine.

If your just getting back into cycling, and beginning to commute, I wouldn't recommend it.....but what do I know!? I spend time here

[petecz]

I have the Surly CrossCheck although not set up as a SS. It does have hor dropouts so the option is there.

Mine is the 600series steel version from several years ago - kinda peasoup green color. Surly weights are high compared to expensive customs but its still a nice townie/cross bike andmuch cheaper than something fancy. Paint does chip easily so I'll get a repaint one of these years.

I use it for both cross and commuting. Plenty of room for big tires and some sweet wooden fenders even. I run VBrakes on mine as well but with Ultegra road levers with the pulley systems that came out just when Vbrakes were release allowing nonVbrake levers to generate enough leverage.

petecz

[Dirk]

Well, here's something to think about - die hard singlespeeders will shoot me down in flames, but I think it's a good compromise:

Buy or build up a 'cross frameset with wide-range gearing out back (12-28 or 30 from a regular 9-speed cluster) and just run a single ring up front; say, a 39 or 42. This will give you a certain amount of SS steez (single ring crank, no front derailler, run a standard front brake lever) while still enabling you to ride up and down things without either mashing the cranks or spinning like a wild man.

In my humble opinion, the downside of running a lot of gears (chain noise, skipping, chain suck, cage buzz) are all mostly associated with running a triple crank. A well adjusted rear derailler and a clean, un-worn drivetrain make for fairly quiet and idiot-proof shifting these days.

P.S. Run moustache bars w/ a barcon for the rear derailler for bonus style points.

I have to agree with Scared, running a single-speed as a commuter in anything other than a very flat town is putting fad ahead of function.

[Mugnut]

I'm not thinking heavy commuting (yet). Just a couple of miles of pretty much flat stuff here and there to get to my commuter boat.

Is single speed considered to be just a fad? (Not a troll, just a question from someone with almost zero knowledge of the bike scene). And I'm talking true single speed, not fixed gear. Single speed and the ability to coast seems a little more versatile to me, though not nearly as versatile as having a bunch of speeds, I suppose.

But it seems to me that I got around just fine (and just about everywhere) on my BMX bike when I was kid with just one speed, and I'm basically looking for an adult equivalent of that kind of run around go everyhwere do everything bike for this grown up kid.

[telescorpio]

f*#k function, choose FUNK-tion...

i have a surly crosscheck frame (with a winwood muddy carbon fork) and it's a great ride. set up as an all-round bike now, with gears and slicks. i also have an old rigid c-dale set up as a single speed which is a joy to cruise around on. admittedly, riding it on hills can be brutal. clipless pedals + wide handlebars help tremendously.

[alembical]

I have a Kelly Single-speed cross bike that I absolutely love riding. I ride both single-speed and fixed (my commuter bike), and I would have to say that I don't think it is a fad at all. For commuting they are great, easy maintenance, reliable, etc.... For Cross/MTB applications, much the same. Pick a good gear then you can just concentrate on riding and enjoying it. It gets steep, you stand out of saddle and crank, it gets downhill, you spin faster.

Now when I ride a geared bike, I find myself shifting much less and enjoying it much more. It is kind of like tele in the sense that there are other options that may be more practical or faster, but in my opinion, nothing more enjoyable.

Alembical

[mel]

Having raced cross both stateside and across the pond, initially I was surprised by the Euros who used only one chainring on the crank in certain conditions. However, in certain conditions it was the way to go, you never had to worry about losing your chain. Euro cross courses tended to be faster than the "jungle cross" that started here when mountain biking became popular and you could ride a steadier pace with the exceptions of the mandatory dismounts of course. I think Dirk makes a good point. I always take a cross bike with me on vacation, that way I can ride almost anything I encounter. And last, my newest cross bike has an FSA compact crank and chainring combo connected to a 10 speed Chorus component package that gives me the best shifting I have have ever had on a cross bike and a range of gears for everything from sitting on the back of the Sunday morning peloton to climbing single track with a 34/29 gear ratio. Whether you go single or multi speed I am sure you will have fun on a cross bike.

[groomer]

http://www.surlybikes.com/karatemonkey.html

Take care of all the latest trends at once. Rather inexpensive as well. I was thinking about building another single speed but I'm too fat to ride up hill currently.

[jaja]

I've got a Kelly cross' bike set up with moustache bars as an SS. Used it all winter as a commuter bike ....It's a lot of fun. But would agree that if you want max versatility go 1 x 9.

I originally had the bike set up this way with a bar-con shifter... good for road/cross and singletrack...

[Dirk]

[sfotex]

I commuted on a 26" SS with slicks for years in San Francisco area. I eventually went to single speed becuase I was always riding in the rain and got tired of cleaning and lubing cables and deraillers.

I currently commute on a Redline Mono-cog (fun bike). I like the simplicity......
_________________
The new face of tele: The ability to drop a knee if you really have too.

[mel]

Dirk - the triples have too much Q factor for my tastes, I have been using the FSA 50/34 combo and like it so much I am going to replace the Ritchey crank with a 46/34 on my other cross bike, (I have also used 48/34) but the 50/34 just covers such a wide range (especially when used in conjuction with 10 speed clusters) . I am not racing much anymore so I don't worry about close ratio gearing for specific courses and this new setup will work in low key racing and general riding.

[Tony]

You could take a look at the Quickbeam by Rivendell. It has long horizontal rear drops so you can run a flip-flop rear hub with quite different gears (plenty of options, one fixed one free, both fixed...)

There is also enough adjustment in the long dropouts to enable a 2 chainring front, giving you a derailleurless 4 speed if you like.

Has cantilever studs and is built to take up to 700x38, maybe bigger, knobbies.

Most importantly, the rear dropout is angled in such a way that when you pull the rear wheel back and forth to adjust for chain tension as you change gears, the brake pads stay aligned with the rim.

Beautiful piece of work, whether or not you're into some of the company's more opinionated views.
Great source for wool clothing, too.

www.rivbike.com

Tony.