The Ultimate Efficiency

[skyl4rk]

How many teeth do you recommend on the fixed gear?

Do you think that this is a good bike?

I would probably want a freewheel, because I am a pedal and coast kind of guy.

[bmwboarder]

Looks like a fine bike. It wouldn't be the lightest around with all steel parts, but it would be fun still. Gearing depends a lot on the person and how many hills or wind you'll encounter. I would start with a lower gear ratio and move higher if you feel comfortable. With that bike, the 46x16 seems high, but maybe you are pretty strong already?? A 17t freewheel would lower it if you wanted.

[RobertSmalls]

If you're looking for a cheap single-speed simulator, shift your bike into a certain gear and leave it there for a week. Let us know how you like it.

[bmwboarder]

Are you against singlespeeds for any particular reason?

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

If you're looking for a cheap single-speed simulator, shift your bike into a certain gear and leave it there for a week. Let us know how you like it.

This won't give you the foggiest idea of riding a singlespeed because it will only give you the negatives of riding one without any of the positives.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by bmwboarder

Are you against singlespeeds for any particular reason?



This won't give you the foggiest idea of riding a singlespeed because it will only give you the negatives of riding one without any of the positives.

Not busting your chops but what are the positives??

[bmwboarder]

Haha ok. The benefits are a more direct drivetrain that do away with inefficiencies. If you put 200 calories into a fixed/singlespeed that is properly geared, you will travel further than if you put that energy into a similarly equipped geared bike. If you don't believe me, try it. I would think this would be the type of forum that would enjoy this concept.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by bmwboarder

Haha ok. The benefits are a more direct drivetrain that do away with inefficiencies. If you put 200 calories into a fixed/singlespeed that is properly geared, you will travel further than if you put that energy into a similarly equipped geared bike. If you don't believe me, try it. I would think this would be the type of forum that would enjoy this concept.

I'm not convinced. I just don't think that unless you are on flat ground with no wind you would use less energy over a given course compared to a geared bike. Maybe Bicycle Bob will chime in.

I will say that I think racing or riding (not quite so much) a SS is one great learning tool that can really help a ecodriver to maximize their efforts. It's all about momentum. Any acceleration takes a big hit on energy required to get back up to optimum cadence. So you learn to read the terrain, not scrub speed in turns and ride with load up hills. So much of it transfers to the car.

[bmwboarder]

This page is written by a fairly well-known bike guru:
Singlespeed Bicycle Conversions by Sheldon Brown

He does say a multi-speed bike may be better for going the furthest with the least amount of effort. I would say perceived effort isn't necessarily the same as power output... but it probably doesn't matter.

He does say:
"You can really feel the difference! A singlespeed is noticeably quicker and easier to pedal than a multispeed bike in the same gain ratio."

Anyways, this has been a fun discussion. A good bike is a great way to get around. Any bike that allows you to not use a car is a good one in my opinion

[Grant-53]

The 3.0 ratio seems about right and I have tried it on a internal gear 3 spd. Try to reduce rotating mass first. Aluminum rims and lighter tires, crank and gears etc. The trick is to find the bike and fit that works best with your body, riding skills, and terrain. Every bike will benefit immensely from reduced wind drag through a light weight fairing system.

[jamesqf]

Why not carry this ultimate efficiency quest to its logical extreme? Remove one wheel, and the associated weight & friction. Then you can get rid of the chain, and large parts of the frame, and wind up with this: Unicycle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia