Newbie Questions

[fixiegrrl]

Don't get me wrong, geared bikes are great for some, but....you'd be surprised what you can do with a strong pair of legs and only one gear. Yes, just one. I'm definitely not disrespecting anyone who rides a geared bike. There are plenty of women who could easily put me to shame. I only speak for myself (and do) but I have to give a shameless plug for singlespeed and (my fav.) fixed gear bikes. If you don't want to be bothered with shifting or just want something different, then perhaps a singlespeed or fixed gear setup is for you.

If you're not familiar with the terminology, a singlespeed bike has one gear ratio (of your choosing) and a freewheel which allows you the option of coasting. A fixed gear bike also has one gear ratio but no freewheel and no coasting. As long as the wheels are moving, so are your feet and legs. I just started riding last year and learned on a singlespeed road and MTB (Surly 1x1) which takes some getting used to, especially with only one gear you have to constantly gauge the terrain and decide when you need to start cranking it out so you have the momentum to make it up the hill(s). Too soon and you bonk, too late and you may not have the momentum to get up it and you stall and fall. Nothing says Newbie like falling at no speed with both feet clipped in to the pedals.

My road bike is now a fixie which also takes an adaption period because you no longer have coasting as an option, so you have to even become more aware of where your feet are positioned when you need to stop at a light, just how fast you can spin the cranks going downhill without wipping out, and how soon you get on the cranks to get up the hill without killing yourself or feeling like you want to loose your lunch. Although I must admit that I find it easier to attack a hill on a fixie an a singlespeed because you gain approximately 1/3 more torque (or so I'm told) and there's no lang in engagement because your feet are always moving.

I hope I didn't make it sound scary, it really isn't. Once you get used to it, it's fun to blow by roadies on their 10+ speed bikes while they look at your butt pulling way ahead of them and with just the ONE gear! It makes you feel really good, if you like that sorta thing. Anyway, if you're interested you can always ask your local bike shop to help you either convert your current ride or help you with buying an already made singlespeed bike. They are relatively inexpensive because they are a pretty bare bones setup and the frames are usually steel. In my opinion, maintenance issues are inexpensive and minimal because it has fewer moving parts (no derailure, no breaking chains, or broken shifters) which can lead to mechanical failure. Also, this forum is a great place to connect with other singlespeed and fixie gals that could help you too.

Good Luck and welcome to the club!