Revolution Courier Single - Q's

andrew_b_1975
andrew_b_1975 Posts: 41
edited July 2010 in Road general
After spending last week riding round Centre Parcs on a singlespeed bike I have decided (much to my wife's pleasure) to "trim" my bike collection and get something more practical / family orientated.

I have been looking at the Revolution Courier Single and it seems to meet most of my criteria ...

My only concern is I am unsure what "gear ratio" to get for a general town bike. Can anyone offer advice or point me in the direction of a good website?

My main duty is towing a tag-a-long or riding with the child seat on.

Would it be a better idea to consider the Nexus version?

Anyone own one?

Comments

  • lae
    lae Posts: 555
    Around 70 gear inches is where most people start off, it's a good compromise between spinning out on the flat and being able to get up hills.

    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/

    Play around with this to find what cogs you could use. 48x18 is a really common one.
  • majormantra
    majormantra Posts: 2,094
    I'm not sure a SS is a great idea for child-hauling duties. You may find it rather hard work and with a kid in the seat on the back you wouldn't want to be out of the saddle flinging the bike around, which tends to be a necessity with only one gear unless you're somewhere totally flat.
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    For towing maybe try 44x18 to start then modify if necessary?
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • andrew_b_1975
    andrew_b_1975 Posts: 41
    Not too many hills in Norfolk ...

    I'm hoping that I won't be towing the kiddie trailer for much longer. The hire bike I rode round Centre Parcs was singlespeed and didn't seem to have any issues.

    Trying to find a bike that would appease my desire for a singlespeed that can be justified by all round use.
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    For normal riding I have 44x16, used to have 46x18 but outgrew it. It depends how much you ride, what you're used to.
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • Gav2000
    Gav2000 Posts: 408
    I have a Courier Nexus and use it during the winter and for family riding, it is very good for this. I do fancy a fixed geared bike for myslef but have to admit that the Nexus is a great value bike that can do most things.

    Gav,
    Gav2000

    Like a streak of lightnin' flashin' cross the sky,
    Like the swiftest arrow whizzin' from a bow,
    Like a mighty cannonball he seems to fly.
    You'll hear about him ever'where you go.
  • GarethPJ
    GarethPJ Posts: 295
    stickman wrote:
    For towing maybe try 44x18 to start then modify if necessary?

    Bit low maybe? That's only 62" on those tyres.
  • stickman
    stickman Posts: 791
    My estimate for towing - but i've never towed so maybe not?
    Bikes, saddles and stuff

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/21720915@N03/
    More stuff:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/65587945@N00/

    Gears - Obscuring the goodness of singlespeed
  • GarethPJ
    GarethPJ Posts: 295
    IME unless you're climbing you only need a low gear for towing when pulling away, once you're rolling on the flat you hardly notice the extra load. Funnilly enough I've noticed the weight of a trailerbike more when braking.

Categories