• superkret@feddit.org
    0·
    4 days ago

    Single-speed bicycles suck.
    They combine the drawbacks of a geared bike with the drawbacks of a fixed gear bike.

    • beastlykings@sh.itjust.works
      0·
      3 days ago

      I’m so confused. Drawbacks of a geared bike? As opposed to what? Flintstoning it?

      I must just not be understanding what you mean.

      I’ve ridden bikes with no derailer or gears, when you backpedal, you brake.

      And I’ve ridden mountain bikes with front and rear gear changing.

      I know there are super exotic driveshaft bikes, and electric etc, but besides that, what could you be talking about?

      • superkret@feddit.org
        0·
        2 days ago

        Fixed Gear advantages:

        • can slow down by pushing back on pedals -> almost no brake pad wear
        • almost no maintenance
        • can do trackstands and ride backwards
        • unique, fun riding style
        • completely quiet drivetrain
        • less interesting to thieves

        Drawback:

        • can’t switch gears

        Geared Bike advantage:

        • can switch gears

        Drawbacks:

        • basically the inverse of everything above

        Single-Speed bikes can do none of the things fixed gear bikes can do, and also can’t switch gears.

        • beastlykings@sh.itjust.works
          0·
          2 days ago

          Thanks for this, but I apologize, I’m still confused.

          You’ve described fixed gear, and geared, I think we now agree as to what these are.

          But what is a single speed bike? I’ve never heard of it. Is it a geared bike, with only one gear, but still has a tensioner? So it can’t have hub brakes? Why would such a thing exist?

    • null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      0·
      4 days ago

      Whaaat.

      I’m not necessarily challenging your opinion because aparently you’re going to die on this hill, but …

      This is not a tiny hill.

      But most people would say that single speed has none of the disadvantages of fixed.

      As an aside, I have 3 bikes. I’ve never ridden a fixie but holy fuck I would love to have one.