Talk:Single-speed bicycle

Hi, this page is pretty awful right now as of Sept 2, 2005. I am going to re-write the whole thing from scratch in the next few days. If you want to try to coordinate, please email me at Raymond.Crew@gmail.com I am also going to write a page on the Single Speed World Chmapionships.

Hey, good work! Looks heaps better. :D Like the picture, looks very similar to my own ss mtb Mathmo 19:50, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

What is this about a disadvantage of knee damage?!?!?! I'd also be interested to hear about what conventional races have been won on a SS, do the other that much of an advantage? COuld there be a more precise statement as to what is the efficiency improvements with SS? i.e. what speed increases could be expected under ideal circumstances? Mathmo 02:21, 24 October 2005 (UTC)

I believe that this is more of an issue specifically with fixed-gear bikes, due to the extra work of continuous pedaling as well as the lack of brakes most fixed-gear bikes have, forcing additional stress on the knee during back-pedaling to stop.hotdiggitydogs 08:09, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

If there's any problem of knee damage from riding SS, it's purely to do with trying to push a gear that's too high eg going up a steep hill, and in the case of fixed, overuse of back pedalling. Also it is mistaken to think that most fixed bikes don't have brakes (I mean bikes that are used on the road not track bikes used for track racing). LDHan 19:03, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

People ride singlespeed in cyclocross for simplicity in a harsh environment. [1] Kellen ^T 10:15, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Advantages

"Another type of advantage not often admitted by single-speed cyclists is an emotional one. Many enjoy nonconformist feelings taking pride in riding the same roads or trails without gearing systems. Many single-speed cyclists portray the refusal to purchase highly marketed gearing systems as an anti-establishment action. As single speed bicycles have become more common and more expensive, these advantages are being eroded."

This seems very subjective and not appropriate for the article?Neosophist 12:28, 25 May 2007 (UTC)

Leaders in Modern Single Speed Bicycle Development

• who and when and why
• primarily a US based movement in the early days, however German and British riders were also early adapters
• first major manufacture to market a single speed mountain bicycle was Kona

how people made them in the early days

• most were geared bicycles converted to be single speeds, commonly called singelting
• refitting used bicycles as single-speeds or using old bicycle frames and components is the cheapest way to build a good bike.
• commonly had to use a mechanism to maintain proper chain tension, usually an old derailleur that was damaged or worn
• find the magic ratio that allows proper chain tension without a tensioner (a place to refer to ssConvert.exe by James Quinlan at Big Time Software for Team Big Time)
• use half links

how to make one now a days

• many are bought as bicycles designed to be single speeds
• chain tension maintained be special devices such as Surely Bicycle's Sing-u-later, Pauls Melivin, or by using track fork ends on the frame or an eccentric bottom bracket.
• search for the magic ratio
• use half links

Producers of Single Speed Specific Bicycles

Early Innovators

• Who and when

Large Manufacturers

• who and when

Single-Speed - a "Type" or merely a feature?

Recommend changing the lead-in sentence, in order to improve the article. Not every feature of a product places it into a different "type" designation.

Also, suggest inclusion of the ordinary bicycles that also were single speed (usually). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 144.183.224.2 (talk) 01:40, 2 December 2016 (UTC)

Illogical, unsourced name

Obviously a bicycle with a single gear ratio can travel at more than one speed. Where did the name "single-speed" come from? There is no source for the name! HiLo48 (talk) 01:28, 29 June 2024 (UTC)