Commuting on a single speed bike is fun and very cost-efficient. Why are they so perfectly suited for the daily grind? Let's take a look.
Cars, buses and other forms of public transport can sometimes be unreliable, not to mention harsh on the environment. A large number of people are making the switch from motors to bikes for their daily commute.
Cycling to work is environmentally friendly, good for your health and will also save you money. If you’ve decided to make the switch, you’ll be in need of a solid, reliable bicycle that’s easy to maintain. Single-speed bikes stick out as the best type of bike for commuting for a number of reasons. Let’s take a quick look at the main ones.
Lightweight
Single speed bikes are lightweight, which makes them ideal for commuting. A lightweight bike is easy to maneuver in traffic and effortless to pedal. It also makes storage a lot easier. No need to lug a hefty bike around each time you park up. Most single speed bikes can be picked up with little effort.
An aluminum frame would be preferred to a steel frame if you want to ditch that extra weight. Steel frames don’t weigh a ton, but the difference is definitely noticeable.
Affordable
There aren’t really any bells and whistles when it comes to single speed bikes. Even some of the best single speed bikes can be picked up for under $500.
Couple that with the amount of money you save on train fares, petrol, car repairs and you’re getting a real bargain. Repairs to your single speed bike are likely to be rare and inexpensive. So no need to worry about shelling out on upkeep.
Reliable
Due to their simplicity, they rarely ever break. There isn’t much that can go wrong on a single speed bike, making them reliable and cost-effective to maintain. If you do run into some issues, repairs are simple and pretty cheap. There are plenty of guides out there that’ll teach you how to do pretty much anything with a bike.
Tires for single speed bikes are pretty much as cheap as they come. Replacing these every 2000 miles is a negligible cost when you consider the savings you make when cycling to work.
Customizable
You can do a surprising amount to spice up your bike. We don’t mean flame decals or stickers, but more subtle changes like colorful wheelsets. Single speed wheelsets are really inexpensive and can turn a boring bike into a gorgeous one. Adding a kickstand will cost you less than $10 and take no longer than 10 minutes to set up. It’s unfortunate that many modern bikes are shipped without them, but that’s another story.
Aside from a custom appearance, you can modify a single speed bike’s function. A wheelset with flip flop hubs will let you change from a freewheeling setup to a fixed gear. Fixed gear is likely to make the commute a bit more strenuous, so it’s perfect for those looking for a bit of exercise.
Conclusion
Single speed bikes are a great way to get to work. By switching to one you get a bike that’s light, easy to maintain, and cost-effective. The financial savings and impact on the environment are enough to consider cycling to work for alone, but the fact it also improves your fitness makes it a no-brainer.