• beastlykings@sh.itjust.works
    2·
    1 day ago

    I’m so confused. Drawbacks of a geared bike? As opposed to what? Flintstoning it?

    I must just not be understanding what you mean.

    I’ve ridden bikes with no derailer or gears, when you backpedal, you brake.

    And I’ve ridden mountain bikes with front and rear gear changing.

    I know there are super exotic driveshaft bikes, and electric etc, but besides that, what could you be talking about?

    • superkret@feddit.org
      1·
      11 hours ago

      Fixed Gear advantages:

      • can slow down by pushing back on pedals -> almost no brake pad wear
      • almost no maintenance
      • can do trackstands and ride backwards
      • unique, fun riding style
      • completely quiet drivetrain
      • less interesting to thieves

      Drawback:

      • can’t switch gears

      Geared Bike advantage:

      • can switch gears

      Drawbacks:

      • basically the inverse of everything above

      Single-Speed bikes can do none of the things fixed gear bikes can do, and also can’t switch gears.

      • beastlykings@sh.itjust.works
        2·
        9 hours ago

        Thanks for this, but I apologize, I’m still confused.

        You’ve described fixed gear, and geared, I think we now agree as to what these are.

        But what is a single speed bike? I’ve never heard of it. Is it a geared bike, with only one gear, but still has a tensioner? So it can’t have hub brakes? Why would such a thing exist?

        • superkret@feddit.org
          1·
          9 hours ago

          It’s a bike with only one gear with a freewheel. Lets you coast without pedaling.
          They’re more popular than fixed gear where I live, cause you can ride them like a normal bicycle.
          The reason is less maintenance and fewer things to break. I guess they work well for utility cycling in flat areas, but some people are crazy enough to compete in Mountainbike races with them.