Single-speeds (and fixed-gears) - Page 2

John Seiler · 07-06-2007, 06:58 PM

Single speeds are the bomb-diggity. Just had my Redline Monocog stolen last week.

It was an '06 in the army green with a 3:1 ratio and Avid discs. What really blows though is that the '07's are baby crap brown. I either have to find a used one or wait and hope the '08 is better looking.

Allen Yeh · 07-06-2007, 07:13 PM

I recall there was an old CFJ that talked about SS vs. fixed gear but any particular reason one or the other is better? Just curious I haven't had a bike since my Trek got stolen in college.

Dave Van Skike · 07-07-2007, 09:45 AM

Fixed is harder and takes mega-more skill to do well in traffic esp....and. all things being equal, it's slower. It's also a lot of fun, engages your brain in different way than riding freewheel bikes. Riding a fixied on semi black ice streets in the winter is quite thrilling....

John,

sorry to hear about your bike...that sucks...embrace Brown.

Garrett Smith · 07-07-2007, 01:29 PM

Those handlebars are really cool, what are they called (in case I was shopping)?

I have bullhorns with a front brake right now...after a quick brake at a yellow/red light at the bottom of a hill the other day, I'm really thinking about adding a rear brake...

Dave Van Skike · 07-07-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

Those handlebars are really cool, what are they called (in case I was shopping)?

I have bullhorns with a front brake right now...after a quick brake at a yellow/red light at the bottom of a hill the other day, I'm really thinking about adding a rear brake...

Moustache Bars.

You'll need a way shorter stem to make them work right if you are replacing drop bars.

You could also look at fleegles and mary bars. i run a set of marys on my mountain bike. Love em.

Garrett Smith · 07-07-2007, 07:24 PM

Muchas gracias, Dave.

John Seiler · 07-08-2007, 06:39 PM

Thanks, Dave. Unfortunately, the Redline brown is not nearly so cool a shade of brown.

Steve Shafley · 07-08-2007, 07:47 PM

I've got a 1990 Giant 770 21 speed that I've beat the hell out of since,uh....1991, in urban "extreme" biking and some of the tougher single tracks in Michigan. . I gave it to my brother for 3 years and he beat the hell out of it as a commuter bike in Chicago year round, and then in the Roaring Forks Valley area in Colorado before he gave it back. It's seen mostly mild duty since pulling a baby trailer and as a vacation runabout. I'm seriously considering changing it over, but, hell...I still have the original equipment on it, except the tires, and it still holds up to the abuse I give it occasionally (my son bet me I wouldn't ride it down a long flight of stairs this last week, and I really shocked him by doing it) and I can still get all 21 gears to work.

I thought it was funny that Walshy mentioned the utility of the big U bar bike locks as a impromptu instrument of destruction. I'll back up his statement that it could potentially do significant damage to an automobile.

You want to talk old school? Cro-moly, Shimano DX, no suspension. Minimalist leather saddle. I've got to pick up some new hand grips and take off the climbing bars, since I don't ever use them anymore, and didn't use them much anyway when I did a lot of uphill climbs with it.

Steve Shafley · 07-09-2007, 10:48 AM

You bastards have me coveting a 29" mountain bike now.

Dave Van Skike · 07-09-2007, 10:55 AM

Michigan...rolling terrian, some hard short climbs but mostly flat right? That's 29'er country right there. SS 29'er like the raleigh is a good go.