J O G L E on a singlespeed

Neil63

Calling all singlespeed, fixie aficionados. For reasons only known to ourselves myself and 2 friends are going to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End on single speeds. The rationale was that the route has been covered numerous times by foot, bike, trike, tanden and even a motorised bar stool so lets make our trip slightly different. Also we were not man enough to do it on a fixie. So question what " weapon" to choose. Go for an off the peg Specialised Langster, On One Pompino, Pearson Touche, Kona Paddywagon etc or choose a real Gucci horizontal track ends frame perhaps even a track bike and build up the bike from there? Thoughts and opinions really welcome. Thoughts on multiple spockets worth taking also would be appreciated. Thanks

redvee

Given the hills you'll be walking up, pushing the bikes, a selection of rear wheels with differing sprockets will be needed

Greenbank

46T chainring, 18T and 20T sprockets on a flipflop hub.

That gives you 67" and 60" gears. You should only really need the latter on anything over 10%.

Aidy40

I think you you should do it on vintage fixed machines but i'm biased.

salsarider79

Langsters are great (I have one) but you may want to look at something steel, Ti or carbon as they will beat you up less over long distances. Surly's Steam Roller would be good. Its steel, so will be nicer on the bum area.
Also you haven't said if they are carrying rack and bags or rucksack, or whatever. If they are using a rack you'll need to find a bike that will take a rack...
If they only want to take one wheel (flip/flop 2 ratio's) I'd go for something like 44:16t freewheel and 22t fixed. Its fairly low geared, but I'm guessing they are not going to be racing...

Neil63

Thnaks for the advice, considering the distances involved your advice on the Langster is well taken. Does anyone have any specific steel or carbon frame recommendations for this trip? In terms of racks/panniers we are lucky enough to have a van going with us between stops so we only need to carry our day riding kit. With gearing in the region of a 46T Chainring and a flip flop arrangement of 18T and 20T I would be interested in any frame recommendations.

Greenbank

Do you want full mudguards or will you be happy with none, or just raceblade clip-ons?

Steel fixed frames/complete bikes.

Can fit full mudguards:-

Genesis Skyline
Condor Tempo (biased since I have one and use it for long distance riding)
On One - Il Pompino

No mudguards (but you could put raceblades on):

Genesis Flyer
Condor Pista
Fixie Inc Peacemaker
Lemond Fillmore
Kona Paddywagon
Surly Steamroller
Charge Plug - heavy though

Obviously this isn't a complete list...

graham_g

Aidy40 wrote:

I think you you should do it on vintage fixed machines but i'm biased.

That'd be pretty cool - like a LEJOG version L'Eroica!

Maybe a proposition for the Bristol fixed wheel lot?

salsarider79

Do you have a buget for the bikes? Obviously custom made is the way if you have the budget. I'd go for a Ti frame, as they'd be lighter than steel, and are more 'zingy', if you see what I mean.
What about singlespeeding a Roubaix???? White industries do a hub with an oval shaped hub. It's pricey at about £150, but then you'd have loads of comfort and it'd be singlespeed.....

p.s. I nearly did it to my Tarmac....

Greenbank

Aidy40 wrote:

I think you you should do it on vintage fixed machines but i'm biased.

What, like this vintage bike?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cove ... 627891.stm

graham_g

Actually, this reminds me of a blog that was linked to from the On One website years ago about a couple who toured France/Italy on Pompino's (SS with White Industries freewheels), with just a saddle bag and bar bag each.

http://pompinos.blogspot.com/

jam1e

Whats the point of riding singlespeed if you're going to be able to change gear, albeit with the most inefficient shifting system yet devised? (swapping or flipping wheels)

Surely the challenge and the whole raison d'etre of singlespeed is to find and use that one magic gear?! Not change it everytime it's a bit hilly - if you're going to do that then buy a set of shifers and just admit defeat.

Or have I missed summat?!

NorwegianBlue

jam1e wrote:

Whats the point of riding singlespeed if you're going to be able to change gear, albeit with the most inefficient shifting system yet devised? (swapping or flipping wheels)

Surely the challenge and the whole raison d'etre of singlespeed is to find and use that one magic gear?! Not change it everytime it's a bit hilly - if you're going to do that then buy a set of shifers and just admit defeat.

Or have I missed summat?!

I have to say I agree. If you're going to say "I did LEJOG single speed" then you have to really mean it. It's only single speed if you only use one gear for the whole journey. However some people may infer single speed from fixed, but fixed wheel doesn't actually have to be single speed. So that might be easier.

I did hear of a couple of blokes doing it on single speed MTBs, taking in some off road on the way. Assuming they used "standard" MTB SS gearing of 2:1 or about 52" then it must have taken an age.

I'd be inclined to go for a Pompino.

hosiescott

Neil, you might like to read this from charliethebikemonger.

scroll down until you get to
'4/9/7 Charlie The Hobo Saddle Tramp'

http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/page28.htm

he cycled 600 miles to the SSWC on his singlespeed cross bike. and has discovered for you, the perfect long distance gear ratio!

hosiescott

and don't let anyone talk you out of it ! sounds like ace fun...

Dustine

I have been running a Salsa Casseroll over the last month or so, 500+ commuting miles so far. It has proper mudguard clearance, rack mounts, is steel, horizontal drop-outs, and has a gearhanger for if you change your mind in the future. Ive found it a lovely bike. £375 for frame and forks from Charlie the bikemonger.

salsarider79

Just found this: http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/358332
This would make it perfect shurely? 3 speed hubs a go-go.....

meagain

Tricross Single ('grds, rack(s) and big air tyres) would be my choice I think (I'm "planning" on using one for Hadrian's C2C next year!). If doing it free rather than fixed, you could cheat a little with a double sprocket free wheel AND a double chainring up front! Oh and stick a double fixed on t'other side just in case....

Dickie

Welcome back Dave. Singlecross is a great bike, if I had the money...

meagain

Hiya, Rob! The Singlecross is one of the very few bikes which I decided I SHOULD like and when I got one.... I DID! In fact, I'm already looking for a second one, which can run with big treads, no guards and mostly single free rather than fixed.
Top vfm I reckon.

salsarider79

Then you want flat/riser bars and go MTB on its ar$e!

meagain

salsarider79 wrote:

Then you want flat/riser bars and go MTB on its ar$e!

Is that directed at me? If so, what, pray, does it signify??

don_don

Personally, I think if you are man enough to do it singlespeed then you are man enough to do it fixed!

I'll second the Pompino suggestion, I've ridden some longer days on it (75-80 miles, not too hilly mind) and it is extremely comfortable. Planet X carbon cross forks will lop about 1lb off the weight and give a tad more comfort.

Funnily enough, I've also got a Touche fixed and a Surly Caseroll (run geared). All 3 will take racks and guards. The Touche is turning out pretty comfy as well and is a tad lighter than the Pompino, if a bit 'racier'. The Caseroll is lovely, but I find the front end transmits a bit of road buzz, even with gel bar-tape. I haven't figured out if its the steel fork or the wheels yet. Superb to ride though..

If you decide to come through Cheltenham let me know, we'll put you up for the night

ps. I've settled on 46x18 for everything but you probably need to experiment.

Dustine

I know what you mean about the Casseroll front end. I havent done more than 40 miles at a go on mine, so nothing really long, but i swopped over the wheels from my previous fixed and found the Casseroll had more road buzz but less of the bigger hits from poor road surfaces. The previous fixed had steel forks, but they were lighter and curved forward, instead of being straight, which i guess might make a difference.

I havent taken out any other bike for the last 800 miles since i got it and built it up, though, which i think tells its own story.. :-)

don_don

I see at the Cycle show, Condor are using a 'Black Rain' carbon touring fork (not sure of make) on some of their bikes. I might give them a call and ask about it, in relation to the Caseroll that is.

salsarider79

meagain: Yeah that was aimed at you, but it's not rude, just saying you should take it off-road...Thats all really...They do make useful MTB's. No offence meant...just got a little excited.

Neil63

Well went for a Condor Pista, had Pauk Hewitt build me up some wheels with open pro rims and Royce hubs and I'm well through my 10 day singlespeed JOGLE. ou can read the blog and see the pics here at www.mysteeldonkey.com

Cheers just off to Crediton on Day 8!

billy whippet

I bought a singlecross when Pearsons were selling them cheap, and as soon as it arrived had to flog it as it was so ugly and had such horrid low rent components.

Thumbs up for the Condor Tempo - fantastic, comfortable, silky ride, clearance for 28c tyres and has eyelets for rack and guards ( I have one and use it for winter and wet weather training)

Also agree that you need to do it on one gear - find that magic sweet gear. Otherwise, as they say above, what's the point? I would have thought that 67 is about right for all day in the saddle

Neil63

67 was close I did it on a 44 x 17T which is 68.

Wooliferkins

Get on the fixie! Double sided hub with a hill climb gear one side everything else the other. Mate on the club did Boston Montreal Bostonon a fixed! :twisted:

toshmund

Greenbank wrote:

Aidy40 wrote:

I think you you should do it on vintage fixed machines but i'm biased.

What, like this vintage bike?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cove ... 627891.stm

The bloke is a nutter, he has little confidence in water and he is now intending to Kayak the English Channel, canals up to Coventry. Starts on the 14th of July and is doing it for charity. He has big balls, got to be said!

(edit)
Here is the link.

http://www.willthemadfoolmakeit.co.uk/index.html