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Will riding a singlespeed improve technique?

by MrBLH
Thu, Aug 29, 2013 09:23
33

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

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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33 comments

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sonicsol | 11 years ago
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Go for it, but go fixed, as said above, it's a lot of fun. It teaches you to pedal a higher cadence (on a flat anyway!) and it trains you not to freewheel.
I find fixed is a very symbiotic relationship, you really have to work with your bike as there are no levers to flick to make it do things. If anything, it makes you do things.
Also, from my experience, hills are easier than you think because your pedal kicks back up as you push down so the harder you push , the harder it comes back up, so almost no need to pull up at all. There is a gradient limit I suspect, but that depends on your gearing.
I ride a 46-16 and find it a good all-rounder

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nicstevenson | 11 years ago
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I ride fixed in the city and find it has helped my peddling technique... I used to ride single speed but didn't notice an improvment in style or cadence really - but with fixed I think both have improved.

So I'd say consider trying to go fixed, but on smaller rides first of all - lacking the ability to coast makes even a short journey seem more arduous!

Also - lots of people will warn you about not stopping pedalling on a fixed as the pedals jerk your legs and risk knee and hip damage - very true... but I also find it quite odd transitioning back to a geared bike at the weekends, bombing down hills and freewheeling is scarier too!

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Cycle_Jim | 11 years ago
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I have a fixed gear, ride around a hilly area. Whether or not its improved my technique I'm not really bothered, but its hella lotta fun. I reckon you'd get stronger purely because there's not gear to bail out into so if you got a big hill and your slowing down you either have to grind up it (my thinking that the stress = strength later) or walk. And I'm no walker.

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