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Many individuals looking to improve the efficiency, speed and comfort for bicycle riders developed freewheel systems and gearing systems for bicycles. The term 'single speed' in this article refers to modern bicycles. There are many types of modern single speed bicycles; BMX bicycles, most bicycles designed for children, cruiser type bicycles, classic commuter bicycles, unicycles, bicycles designed for track racing, fixed gear road bicycles, fixed gear mountain bicycles, and single speed bicycles. This article pertains to modern single speed bicycles. These are bicycles that fill a role for a rider that would usually be filled by a geared bicycle. Fixed-gear Bicycle s are a subset of single speed bicycles. Fixed gear bicycles do not allow the rider to coast without pedaling while a single speed bicycle does. Fixed gear bicycles simply lack any sort of ratchet mechanism that allows the pedals to coast independently of the drive wheel. Both types of these bicycles are truly single speeds; however, fixed gear bicycles require distinct skills of their riders. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES VERSUS MULTI-SPEED BICYCLES Advantages A single-speed is generally lighter and mechanically simpler than a geared bicycle. Without derailleurs or other gearing systems, there are fewer parts on the bicycle. The fewer parts allow the bicycle to be much lighter and require less maintenance. Additionally, some parts common to both types of bicycles, such as the drive wheel, can be made somewhat stronger without a corresponding increase in weight. For this reason some cyclists who ordinarily ride geared bikes prefer to ride single-speed bikes during the winter, as the drive chain of a singlespeed bike is more durable in wet, muddy and gritty conditions which would otherwise wear out the expensive components of a geared bike. Single speed bicycles can also be much less expensive to buy or assemble. Maintenance costs are also potentially much lower when compared to those for geared bicycles. While a single-speed can cost as much as a geared bicycle, a skillful person can assemble them very light and strong for little money or trouble. The drivetrain efficiency of a single-speed can be greater than that of a geared bicycle. A single-speed's drivetrain lacks the drag on the chain system of derailleurs' jockey pulleys. Also, the typical modern chainrings and cogs of a geared bicycle are ramped and pinned to facilitate quick and easy shifting, but they tend to decrease the efficiency of the chain system. To further increase the drivetrain efficiency and aid chain retention, most single speed bicycles use a chainring and cog that lacks ramps and pins. Another type of advantage not often not admitted to by single speed cyclists are emotional ones. Many single speed cyclists enjoy the feeling of being different than the general cyclists and taking pride in knowing that they can ride the same roads or trails without gearing systems. Many single speed cyclists see refusing to purchase highly marketed gearing systems as an anti-establishment action. However as single speed bicycles have become more common and more expensive, these advantages are being eroded.
Disadvantages
TYPES OF SINGLE SPEEDS DISCUSSED HERE Typically a reference to a single speed bicycle invokes the idea of a single speed mountain bicycle. However, Mountain Bicycle s, Road Bicycle s, cyclocross bicycles, and hybrid bicycles can be made as or changed into a single speed. Mountain bike single speeds designed for trail riding often have a relatively low, or easy and slow, gear ratio. This allows them to climb hills and deal with obstacles and gradients better. Single speed bicycles designed for road riding typically have higher, or harder and faster, gear ratio. Single-speed bicycles and Fixed Gear Bicycle s are popular with Bicycle Messenger s for their reliability and durability. Depending on the situation, a messenger may prefer a Mountain Bike based single-speed, which can be an urban tank, able to roll over almost any obstacle, or a Road Bike -based single-speed, which is fast and light. Major bicycle manufactures were perceived to be against the idea of modern single speed bicycles. Statements by industry representatives and cycling journalists helped fuel this perception. This is not entirely accurate; the major companies simply waited until designing and marketing such products would be profitable. Currently many major companies design and market single speed bicycles. In the USA market, major manufactures such as Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Kona, KHS, and Bianchi produce and market single-speed bicycles. SEE ALSO
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