Should I try single speed?

I've never quite seen the point of single-speed... all the downside of fixed, and none of the upside.

One of the things I like about riding a fixie is the constant pedalling - it helps to smooth out my pedal strokes and riding generally. You lose that feeling of momentum through the drivetrain with a single speed in my view.

Addmitedly I don't have hills to worry about but I spent a year with just a fixie out here and had to keep up with a fairly fast-paced club ride every week. The slowing and speeding of a group, and riding on someone's wheel at 40km/h was quite a challenge.

Yes, go for it. If you're buying a new bike it's likely to come with something like a 44-18 set up which should be a good all rounder, certainly if you're used to hauling a trailer up hills, that gearing shouldn't give you any trouble at all.

I've been riding fixed and singlespeed bikes of one sort or another pretty much solidly since the start of the year, I'd have to say that when it comes to hills I definitely prefer riding singlespeed, it's a lot knee friendlier for a start and signalling is easier on descents. The one geared option is probably my favourite way of riding at the moment, if only because it makes your geared bike seem really fast by comparison.

I'd give both fixed and single a go and see which you prefer.

The late, great Sheldon Brown has the definitive guide to fixed gear bicycles for the road and single-speeds. Being thrown off a fixie if you stop pedalling isn't really an issue. But there are other downsides - scroll down that first of those pages to see some gruesome consequences of not knowing what you are doing. If single-speed with a freewheel is more your style, just make sure you get a decent freewheel, not one that will stop engaging and leave you having to push miles back home, or one that is impossible to remove without hacking it apart. But there is far less to go wrong than on a derailleur-equiped bike.

Yep they are so much fun they should be categorised as Class A...

Have a skim through my blog on here as I have posted a couple of times about the experience.

yep, get one, huge fun and does wonders for your leg strength. Unlike some I would not want my fixed to be my only bike but I do like riding it, It isn't better or worse than geared bikes but it sure is different. I have used the ss/freewheel side (slightly lower gear and no need to pedal all the time) to get home once since I flipped it to fixed.

I commute around Brighton (Hilly) and regularly go on short sharp 25 mile rides around the South Downs (Hilly) on a Lemond Fillmore - Fixed gear 44 x 17 (68.3 G.I)

I haven't been beaten by a hill yet, although the hills in the South Downs are pretty short and sharp (10% incline for a couple hundred meters) To be totally honest, the bigger problem than hills is headwinds, although generally this only applies in winter.

Regarding fixed:

Definitely go for it, don't be put off by the whole 'can't stop peddling' - I got used to never stopping peddling before the leap and in 2+ years now have never once come even close to feeling like I'm about to be ejected from the bike. Equally the continuous pedal stroke (as momentum will push you pass the dead spot) does wonders for your technique

Speed wise and spin outs - 68 G.I is relatively low by fixed standards, although I find it perfect, that gives me a cruising speed of 19 ish mph at about 90-100 Rpm and the ability to burst to 23-25 (110 - 120 rpm)

Downhills are supposed to be a problem, but again on the logic that 'no faster' than I'd be prepared to pedal, tis fine! Got to 35MPH at 170ish RPM, and I suppose that was technically a spin out - more I just couldn't physically go faster!

Get one

I commute on a Cannondale Capo single speed and it is brilliant. It is geared at 48/18. I don't really have a hilly commute although there is one shortish steep section up Cedars Road to Clapham Common. I have taken it on a loop of Richmond Park before and it is manageable bt hard work especially on the shorter steeper inclines.

It can be tough when you are not feeling it and grinding away into a head wind but on the whole it rocks. I have had it for 18 months and never needed to have it serviced other than usual change of tyres, break blocks etc. When you are feeling on top form you can just wind it up and let it go and it freewheels at pace. It also feels incredibly responsive for city riding which is, of course, all about the flow.

Get one, you won't regret it.

Single speed or fixed is nice for a city bike. It simple and reliable, and if buying new you'll get better quality components for your money.

Fixed you can't stop pedalling. Up hills it feels to me like the bicycle is helping. Down hills can be hectic; I have trouble pedalling above 120 rpm. I really like fixed, but I wouldn't want to ride not clipped in, and my commute here in Cambridge is flat.

Single speed or fixed you only have one gear, but you can choose that gear. I have a "70 inch" gear for my 12 mile commute on my fixed gear (with drop handlebars), but prefer a "65 inch" gear (and flat handlebars) for around town, where I don't go so fast and have to accelerate from a standstill much more frequently. Most purpose built fixed or single speed bikes will come with a 70 inch gear, with a 48 tooth chainring and 18 tooth sprocket ("48x18") or 42x16.

A 70 inch gear single speed will give you a good workout up a steep hill!