single speed vs 10 speed commuter bike

Leslie Knight

My 21 year old clunky hybrid with the straight handle bars in not cutting it for me and I'm looking for a new commuter.  My commute now is short and flat but next summer I'll move and it could be some hills (I have no idea where the Air Force will send me yet).  I like the idea of a single speed (likely one with the hub that flips so I could choose between single speed and fixed gear), but I have never ridden one and don't know anyone with one who has experience and can talk to me.  I'm nervous in case I move to hills, but I know I'd get stronger!  I'm also set that I want typical road bike handle bars.  The flat hybrid ones are uncomfortable because I don't like that wrist angle.  Recently, it occurred to me that a cross bike would allow me to put some wider tires and give some more flexibility on road surfaces.  I don't really plan to race, but you never know.  I've seen cross bikes that come in single or 10 speed.  I think the 10 speed would give me more flexibility, but I kind of like the idea of single speed. I am totally and completely torn.  Oh, and I want to do this bike on the cheap side...I've found them for $500 and less.  I already have three bikes (hybrid, road and tri) and the hubs has a mountain bike he never rides if I wanted to go that direction.  Do you guys have thoughts??

Al Truscott

I commuted for 12+ years 2-3 x a week in all weather, 20 mi round trip with over 1000' elevation gain/loss (RT). I used a steel frame "road" bike which was built as a touring bike. meaning it had longer chain stays to accommodate rear panniers, it had wide fork and seat stays to accommodate wider tires ( although I rode on 23 mm tires) and fenders. It had drop handlebars and old style MTB brakes. Back then, it was triple chain ring, but now it is compact crank, so "20 speed" It currently serves as my only road bike.

Fixies are cool if you're looking to make a statement, but I dont know if they are up to the task for rugged commuting in traffic carrying loads and equiped for dark, rain, sudden stops, hard accelerations at an uphill stop,sign, etc. I got plenty of exercise with a broad range of gears, I doubt I would have ridden as much if I had the limitations of a single speed.

BTW, I Started commuting on a MTB, but switched within six months after I bought the touring bike, which was much more agile and speedy.

robin sarner

 You could start of with a cheap single speed cyclocross Motobecane from bikesdirect.com   and change the tires as it will come with cross tires.   (or leave if you don't mind the drag)      the quality is fine except the freewheel - when it goes about $20 to replace.     you can switch it out for one with more teeth when you have a hilly ride.  

MattAaronson

I have commuted by bike on and off for many years. I have used a hybrid because it's in a city. I thought about a cross bike but I like having a rack and honestly it seems silly to put a rack on a cross bike. My commute is under 5 miles each way so the handlebar doesn't bother me. A lot of people, in particular the really cool ones and all the hipsters, ride fixies and single speed. Personally I prefer a geared bike. My current bike has only one chainring so you only shift the rear gears and it's a 9-speed. There are a lot of intersections and need to stop a lot...frankly I don't like the difficulty of starting from a standing stop in a big gear.

Leslie Knight

I have been looking on BikesDirect for a few months.  I there any reason I couldn't put fenders and rack on a Cross bike?  I now it's not built specifically for that like a touring bike would be, but would it work?  And thanks for the advice on the fixed speed- that's exactly what I was looking for.  Sounds like they may be "cool", but not very functional/versatile.

robin sarner

Racks and fenders fine and good. The one i have has the brazeons that accept bolts.

No to fixed single speed. Dangerous.