A couple weeks ago I decided to add a single speed (SS) to my bike arsenal. I found a great bike at Performance Bike on sale – a Schwinn Madison. Then the guys at Colonel’s hooked by up with a new bar and stem, plus the finishing touch – some white Arundel Gecko bar tape.
Today I took it for it’s longest ride yet – 65 miles and I had a blast. There is something liberating about riding with one gear. Some of the hills aren’t fun, but I’m running 48×18, so there isn’t anything that’s impossible to “muscle over”. Who knows, maybe I’ll take the SS for the next ThinkCash after work ride.

10 responses so far ↓
Evolution of a cyclist « Texas Tailwind // July 21, 2008 at 8:27 pm |
[...] About ← Single Speed Love [...]
Martin // July 23, 2008 at 6:37 pm |
I suppose Sully has duly informed you that 42×17 is “regulation” SS gearing.
Lots of spinning . . . 11,500 revolutions? « Texas Tailwind // July 24, 2008 at 7:40 pm |
[...] of the benefits of riding a single speed is that it is relatively easy to determine how many times you “turned the cranks” on a [...]
Ben // July 24, 2008 at 9:29 pm |
I’m a glutton for punishment, right now I’m running 48×18
TXTough - Raising money for Children’s Medical Center in Dallas « Texas Tailwind // July 29, 2008 at 7:23 pm |
[...] challenge for me anymore, I’m going to make it more interesting by riding the 112 miles on a single speed bike. For those of you that aren’t into cycling, this is a pretty daunting task. A single speed [...]
Clay // August 14, 2008 at 8:11 pm |
I was the one who had Performance order the Madison. They ordered me one, and ordered one for the store, I bet you got that very bike.
The Race to 10,000 « Texas Tailwind // August 22, 2008 at 1:12 am |
[...] and then use my eMotion Rollers when fall comes. I’ll take care of 112 of those miles on my single speed as I raise money for the Children’s Medical Center Dallas at TX [...]
New Arundel bling - plus a new site design « Texas Tailwind // August 26, 2008 at 7:30 pm |
[...] just got some stainless steel bottle cages for my single speed. With the Gecko Grip bar tape and Dual seat bag, that makes my single speed an [...]
More Single Speed Love « Texas Tailwind // September 4, 2008 at 2:28 pm |
[...] already written about how much I love my single speed. Then I took it up a notch by adding some more Arundel goodness to the bike. Last night Grant [...]
Michael Kelly // September 14, 2008 at 3:01 pm |
I just recently got a Canondale Capo single speed freewheel. I love it to pieces. In about 3 weeks i’ve put over 100 miles on it easy. And i’m up in north jersey on the cliffs that look over manhattan. Some of those hills are crazy but do-able if you got enough leg.