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Post by dobovedo on Jun 19, 2009 14:34:10 GMT -5
A year ago I bought myself a Raleigh One Way to use on my daily commute. It was a perfect solution to bad weather riding and keeping my road bikes in good shape. Living in western Ohio, the only hill on the 10 mile ride is an interstate overpass, and even that is an easy grade. I ride year round, in all temps & weather. Teens, single digits and even sub-zero temps. Rain, sleet, snow. I ride studded tires to get over ice and snow. When it gets so cold that the pawls on the freewheel freeze up, I flip-flop the hub and go fixie. In another two weeks, a 27 lb. single-speed commuter bike is going to be about as useful to me as a swamp boat in the Gobi dessert.  I'm going to try to unload the One Way before I make the move, but I thought I'd inquire if anybody on these here forums might be interested, or knows somebody who is. Size 57cm frame. 981.15 miles. Mine is a 2007 model, but... www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/one-way/Guess I'll start looking for a geared urban/trail bike to use as my daily commuter, but that can go off road too. Marin Muirwoods 29er maybe? Suggestions? |
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Post by Vespa on Jun 19, 2009 14:47:08 GMT -5
Hold your horses! Single speeds are big fun around here, if the gear's right. I like pedaling my old Pinarello fixed gear anywhere but on the really major climbs -- around town and the river areas is just fine. You'll want something like a 62-70 inch gear.
I used to do the whole Whittier circuit on mine all the time.
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Post by dobovedo on Jun 19, 2009 15:57:58 GMT -5
Hold your horses! Single speeds are big fun around here, if the gear's right. Consider my horses held. ;D While I was down there scouting I did drive what I will be using as my commute route between Whittier and BC. And I didn't see anything that I couldn't handle. That said... just because I CAN do something, doesn't necessarily mean I WANT to. I currently use my commutes as very light efforts. They are active recovery days from training, both on bike and running. And a One Way ain't no Pinarello. It's big, it's heavy, and it's slow. Especially when you throw some studded 35s on there. I assume you have ice down there occasionally? As I mentioned towards the end of the post, this was also an excuse to get myself something to play around with off-road. Although I suppose, with a little bit of frugal living, keeping the former doesn't prevent getting the latter. I guess what I'll do is bring it down with me and try it for awhile. If I do decide to sell it bring it back up to Ohio or ship anywhere. Thanks for the feedback. |
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Post by irish on Jul 4, 2009 11:22:17 GMT -5
Vespa is correct. I've ridden my fixed gear on every local ride, plus did the century version of the Fletcher Flyer. Came in first in class - there weren't any others ;-)
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Post by dobovedo on Jul 4, 2009 13:59:33 GMT -5
Vespa is correct. I've ridden my fixed gear on every local ride, plus did the century version of the Fletcher Flyer. Came in first in class - there weren't any others ;-) I agree... the surest way to win any event (or Class therein) is to sign up for the one nobody else will. I've won two Calvin's Challenge 100 mile TTs that way. ;D I think I'm still more interested in a geared urban commuter with offroad potential than a singlespeed commuter. But then... I'm also interested in getting a touring frameset and swapping everything off my Bianchi road bike so I can start doing overnight weekend rides. And I'm interested in about 10 other bikes in various configurations... What is it they say? "Bikes = X+1", where X is the number of bikes you own, and +1 is the bike you're currently shopping for. |
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Post by mvi on Jul 5, 2009 15:57:11 GMT -5
There is a girl on a fixed gear (Deanna Adams) doing the Tour Divide (> 2700 mountain miles) on a 47/17 ratio. If she can do that, anything around here can be done. I would gear it much smaller though. If you can sell it, a 29'r can be a do it all bike here. Edit: picture : www.adventurecycling.org/gdrgallery2009/gallery22.cfm |
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