CaptainDura Posted July 10, 2007 Posted July 10, 2007 To all the training specialists... would it be beneficial to do a commute of about 20km on a singlespeed bicycle three days a week, or will it be detrimental to my training? Should I rather use the bike that i will race on for the commute, including all the gears...and do some intervals or can I use the singlespeed for intervals and high intensity...
Tumbleweed Posted July 10, 2007 Posted July 10, 2007 not an expert, but riding my singlespeed twice a week (between 30 and 50kms on a relatively flat route) has given my legs a bit more power (but thery're still skinny as anything)
BikeMax Posted July 10, 2007 Posted July 10, 2007 The benefit of the training ride is a result of the intensity you ride it at. Some guys find that a single speed encorages or forces them to ride a little harder than they otherwise might (I tend to agree with this) and as such can turn a regular commute into a better quality session. You could certainly do the same session on your race bike but may find a single speed gives you less options to relax and coast.
CaptainDura Posted July 10, 2007 Author Posted July 10, 2007 The benefit of the training ride is a result of the intensity you ride it at.Some guys find that a single speed encorages or forces them to ride a little harder than they otherwise might (I tend to agree with this) and as such can turn a regular commute into a better quality session. You could certainly do the same session on your race bike but may find a single speed gives you less options to relax and coast. thanks BikeMax nicely summed up me thinks.. I think if i concentrate on quality it will go a long way to better fitness and faster races. thanks again.
_Daemon_ Posted July 10, 2007 Posted July 10, 2007 AARGH...don't start this my budget for bikes is blown already...but... I badly want to build a fixed gear single speed "bike messenger" bike, something like a Surly. And then ss giant STP jump/play bike...
CaptainDura Posted July 10, 2007 Author Posted July 10, 2007 AARGH...don't start this my budget for bikes is blown already...but...I badly want to build a fixed gear single speed "bike messenger" bike' date=' something like a Surly. And then ss giant STP jump/play bike...[/quote'] Yep, a Surly karate Monkey singlespeed will surely do the trick...
javadude Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Haven't seen any Surly about, but Cross Town cycles in Claremont have a couple of Schwinn Madisons on display. I think they go for about 5K to 6K complete.
cyclenut Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Use your road bike.Try and stick to a gear that is the same ratio (or harder) as the single speed. That way you get the best of the worlds . . . except for waking up an hour earlier to shave your legs, put on all that lycra, pack your energy bars etc etc. If you have an MTB - go on that - at least you can stick to the pavements and avoid cars - trust me - they hurt. And if it rains before you ride home at least you have the equipment equal to the conditions.
Zaskar Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Silly question here, (my brain might be a bit tired from work and im not thinking straight) but do they make single speed road bikes? or is a track bike your closest option?
javadude Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Silly question here' date=' (my brain might be a bit tired from work and im not thinking straight) but do they make single speed road bikes? or is a track bike your closest option? [/quote'] Alot of companies have latched onto the "fixie" craze and are making fixed gear road bikes with brakes and flip-flop hubs to switch between fixed gear and freewheel single speed. http://www.schwinnbike.com/images/catalog/r_15.54.S7_GBL_MADISON_WHT.jpg
javadude Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 A flip-flop hub is threaded on both sides. On the one side you screw on a fixed gear and the other you can screw on a bmx type freewheel sprocket. When you are tired of the fixed gear you can turn the wheel around and make use of the freewheel.
Zaskar Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Thats pretty cool! Any other brands that have models like this out?
Ox_Wagon Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Epic Cycles has one of those on their floor.Ox_Wagon2007-10-31 07:23:30
ewep Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Is very cool. Is the frame geometry the same as a track bike or a road bike?
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