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single speed for a novice?

  • 24-04-2014 10:44am
    #1
    pauliewallie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 375 ✭✭


    I'm looking at a single speed bike for wife as a present. we live northside and there are a couple of hills close to the house. she is not used to cycling, so I wonder is single speed a bad choice as a starter bike and should I go for gears instead? anyone, particularly ladies, got advice here?

    I will add, it is a lovely bike, make is adventure, good spec, mudguards, aluminum frame, basket, and a good lock thrown in for the price


Comments

  • #2
    bambergbike
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 342 ✭✭bambergbike


    I would go for gears. Singlespeed bikes make sense to me in two scenarios:

    1) There are no significant hills
    2) There are hills, but the rider is a committed cyclist who is either well able for them or grimly determined to HTFU. Either in order to get the fitness benefits of the singlespeed as a training tool, or for its sheer practicality (lean, clean, needs less TLC, has less potential for things to go wrong).

    My rule of thumb would be that somebody who is so into their cycling that they know exactly what gear ratio they want on their singlespeed is probably into it enough to go for a singlespeed and not regret it, even if they live on a big hill. Most other people would probably be better off with a decent spread of gears.


  • #3
    pauliewallie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 375 ✭✭pauliewallie


    Hi, thanks for the reply.
    TBH, the more I think about it, you are definitely right. SS is not right for a novice. gonna go for gears instead.

    cheers


  • #4
    ford2600
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,457 ✭✭✭ford2600


    pauliewallie wrote: »
    Hi, thanks for the reply.
    TBH, the more I think about it, you are definitely right. SS is not right for a novice. gonna go for gears instead.

    cheers

    Consider a bike with decent hub gears. If you get a good one, very little maintenance


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