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Will riding a singlespeed improve technique?

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  • August 29, 2013 at 8:23 am #19728
    MrBLH

    Approaching winter I’ve been thinking about converting my commuter (Specialized Allez comp) into a singlespeed. I do a 60 mile round trip Surrey – London once a week which is a little lumpy but not hilly.

    I was thinking that the benefits of going singlespeed would be:
    – Less components to get messy and maintain through winter
    – Slightly lighter
    – Improved cadence/pedal stroke
    – Increased speed/strength on hills
    – Prettier bike

    Although I cycle a fair amount already (200km per week) I think there is room to improve my technique & strength, is this a reliable way of doing it?

    Or am i being a mug and bikes evolved to have gears… and I’ll regret it?

    I tried today’s in a single gear and did fairly well but I lack the discipline and did change up/down occasionally.

    I know this may be an each to their own type question but lets hear some opinions & anecdotes.

    Cheers, Ben

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Viewing 15 replies - 16 through 30 (of 33 total)
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  • September 1, 2013 at 7:51 pm #754139
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    giff77

    BBB wrote:What’s the deal

    BBB wrote:
    What’s the deal with “improving strength”?
    Do you guys need to push your bikes up the hill because your legs aren’t strong enough?

    Isn’t pedalling at high cadence on a geared bike good enough for “improving technique”?


    Plenty of killer hills round my way and not walked any of them. The fixed helps me kill two birds with one stone. If you ask any old hands you will find that they nearly all switch to fixed through the winter.

    September 1, 2013 at 6:43 pm #754137
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    BBB

    Low Speed Wobble wrote:BBB

    Low Speed Wobble wrote:
    BBB wrote:
    What do you need more strength for?

    You’re on a cycling forum, and you’re asking why the quest for greater strength? Have you ever ridden a bike and wanted to go that little bit faster? That’ll be the answer.

    I wonder if you’re confusing strength with power. 😉

    September 1, 2013 at 6:30 pm #754135
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    Low Speed Wobble

    BBB wrote:What do you need

    BBB wrote:
    What do you need more strength for?

    You’re on a cycling forum, and you’re asking why the quest for greater strength? Have you ever ridden a bike and wanted to go that little bit faster? That’ll be the answer.

    September 1, 2013 at 6:08 pm #754133
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    BBB

    Low Speed Wobble wrote:BBB

    Low Speed Wobble wrote:
    BBB wrote:
    What’s the deal with “improving strength”?
    Do you guys need to push your bikes up the hill because your legs aren’t strong enough?

    Isn’t pedalling at high cadence on a geared bike good enough for “improving technique”?

    Improving strength and improving technique are (clearly) two different things. Spinning up a gradient will get you to the top but it won’t build your strength in the same way that pushing a harder gear will. That’s what we guys mean.

    I understand that they are two different things. That’s why there are two separate questions…

    What do you need more strength for?

    September 1, 2013 at 4:40 pm #754131
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    Low Speed Wobble

    BBB wrote:What’s the deal

    BBB wrote:
    What’s the deal with “improving strength”?
    Do you guys need to push your bikes up the hill because your legs aren’t strong enough?

    Isn’t pedalling at high cadence on a geared bike good enough for “improving technique”?

    Improving strength and improving technique are (clearly) two different things. Spinning up a gradient will get you to the top but it won’t build your strength in the same way that pushing a harder gear will. That’s what we guys mean.

    September 1, 2013 at 4:15 pm #754129
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    BBB

    What’s the deal with
    What’s the deal with “improving strength”?
    Do you guys need to push your bikes up the hill because your legs aren’t strong enough?

    Isn’t pedalling at high cadence on a geared bike good enough for “improving technique”?

    August 31, 2013 at 3:20 pm #754127
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    djgorey

    I’ve just (yesterday) picked
    I’ve just (yesterday) picked up my spesh Langster to use for commuting, keeping the geared bike for longer rides.

    I got it, apart from the fact it’s n+1, to improve strength and technique. It’s a 48 17 which seems OK so far, but will report back next weekend after I’ve ridden in to work all week.

    I was really worried about stopping, but front brake and a bit of “back-peddling” and it’s fine. Haven’t had to do an emergency stop yet though…

    August 30, 2013 at 4:37 pm #754125
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    KirinChris

    MrBLH wrote:Thanks for the

    MrBLH wrote:
    Thanks for the good responses so far, not sure if switching straight to fixed for my commute would be a leap too far.

    I may get used to a single gear first.

    In that case I don’t see the point.

    You might as well keep what you’ve got and just pay more attention to your cadence.

    August 30, 2013 at 7:21 am #754123
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    Cycle_Jim

    As others have said go
    As others have said go fixed!! You won’t look back! It will take a little getting used to at first but it starts coming to you very naturally. Although the sensation of coasting is very un-nerving when you do go back to the roadie!

    I ride 46-16

    August 29, 2013 at 8:45 pm #754121
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    sm

    Go for it, if nothing else
    Go for it, if nothing else it’s a heck of a lot of fun riding fixed and a lot easier to maintain. I bought a fixed last year and have never enjoyed riding so much. Try a flip flop hub so you can alternate between spinning and mashing too. Both should be comfortable gears but one increases strength the other leg speed.

    August 29, 2013 at 8:35 pm #754119
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    giff77

    If going single for the
    If going single for the winter go fixed. It will defo sort out your cadence and technique. I tend to use fixed all the year for commutes keeping the road bike for longer trips. It really sorts out your leg strength as well. I notice the difference when I get back on the road bike. Other cyclists have also commented on style and strength whenever I buddy up with them.

    Tips. Choose gear carefully. I use a 48:16. Cat one I see uses a 48:18. Either of these is a pretty decent gear.
    Get spd’s. easier to clip into whe moving off from lights. Also means feet aren’t thrown off pedals when picking up speed.
    Keep an eye on your chain to make sure it doesn’t get too slack. I forgot once, chain got thrown when I hit a bump and wheel locked.
    If you have converted a MTB get a chain tensioner. Otherwise invest in a bike with horizontal dropouts. These make it easier to tension the chain.

    You will find as well when the winter kicks in, the fixed wheel is much easier to control on snow and ice. I also find when on shared use or pedestrian precincts where I am allowed to ride the fixed wheel is easier to handle round pedestrians as you are in better control of the bike. Track stands are also easier!

    And you are guaranteed to have fun!

    August 29, 2013 at 11:42 am #754117
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    Low Speed Wobble

    Go fixie. There will be times
    Go fixie. There will be times on every ride that you regret it, but next Spring you’ll be riding better than ever. You should be able to figure out your best ratio from the riding you’re currently doing. A single speed is a good option, but it won’t improve your technique and discipline in the same way a fixed gear will.

    August 29, 2013 at 11:14 am #754115
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    MrBLH

    Thanks for the good responses
    Thanks for the good responses so far, not sure if switching straight to fixed for my commute would be a leap too far.

    I may get used to a single gear first.

    I have previously converted an old mtb to a singlespeed with a 3:1 ratio, it certainly feels smooth and fun but is a bit more effort on hills.

    August 29, 2013 at 10:43 am #754113
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    cat1commuter

    I’d say that riding
    I’d say that riding singlespeed will make you stronger, and fixed will also improve your pedalling. One thing I have from riding fixed is a smooth application of power from standing on the pedals to sitting back in the saddle.

    As mentioned above, fixed is great uphill, as it feels like the bike is helping you. I find that downhill is much more challenging. I start bouncing on the saddle at 130 rpm. I once slightly pulled a calf muscle spinning downhill, so my technique could definitely still improve. I think I need to pull up a little at the back of the stroke.

    I ride a 72 inch gear ie: 48 x 18 (or 42 x 16) on 700c wheels, which is about 20 mph at 100 rpm.

    August 29, 2013 at 9:25 am #754111
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    farrell

    I ride singlespeed on my
    I ride singlespeed on my commute in Manchester quite a lot on a 53×15.

    It’s definitely improved my thigh strength due to not being able to make it easy for yourself when pulling away from lights and digging in on hills etc, it’s definitely well worth looking into if you can convert an old frame or a cheap bike.

    I don’t ride fixed so couldn’t say on that front but other people suggest that it is better for cadence etc, but then I find many of those that ride fixed do talk a load of bollocks too.

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