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Old 07-23-2014, 09:29 AM
 
6,457 posts, read 7,789,115 times
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I'm kind of a year round commuter, or was at least. Only time I didn't use the bike was when there was a good amount of snow. I have a few different rides for different reasons so I have a winter beater to use. With the right gear, it's OK. My employer offers a bike cage, crappy showers (for men - the women's are much nicer), a changing room, and I have a locker - so it's tempting for me to ride.

But yeah, there are areas around town that are hairy.
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:41 AM
 
Location: Boston Massacusetts
157 posts, read 228,873 times
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I don't mean to jack the thread, but would a single speed be sufficient for Greater Boston? If I make it up there, I want to ensure I'm outfitted with the right fleet of bikes.
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Old 07-23-2014, 04:29 PM
 
Location: Bath, ME
596 posts, read 817,834 times
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No, the city is really hilly. Single speed won't do.
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Old 07-23-2014, 04:38 PM
 
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
41,938 posts, read 36,935,179 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yaeger07 View Post
No, the city is really hilly. Single speed won't do.

Uuuuh, plenty of people ride single speed and fixed gear bikes in Boston. More common than not among the younger generation and even bike messengers.
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:28 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
1,362 posts, read 873,058 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flowbe202 View Post
OP is in Union Square, Somerville.
Right. Thanks. Not sure where I got that.

But I agree with timberline... I wouldn't leave that either.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:23 PM
 
Location: Mass
974 posts, read 1,896,941 times
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sad when $1600 is cheap!!
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Old 07-24-2014, 06:36 AM
 
6,457 posts, read 7,789,115 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dapeaz View Post
I don't mean to jack the thread, but would a single speed be sufficient for Greater Boston? If I make it up there, I want to ensure I'm outfitted with the right fleet of bikes.
I love the simplicity of a single speed. I guess the answer depends on how strong you are on the bike and what the specific gearing ratio of the SS is but if you are in teh average strength range and have a standard(ish) level of gear combination I personally think it'll do just fine. Greater Boston has rollers but no real climbs. There may be an incline or two that'll make you breath a bit and put a wonderful ache in your legs but not many.

You'd go farther out to get some of the fun suffer climbing.
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Old 07-27-2014, 07:17 PM
 
1,298 posts, read 1,331,831 times
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I ride a single speed to work every day, if you are used to riding one it's a perfect city for it as there is almost always a way to get from A to B with minimal hills.
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Old 07-27-2014, 08:49 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,638,276 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dapeaz View Post
I don't mean to jack the thread, but would a single speed be sufficient for Greater Boston? If I make it up there, I want to ensure I'm outfitted with the right fleet of bikes.
No, you need a really good 21 speed, lots of turns and uphills and downhills all around here and good ability to weave in and out of traffic as you will be switching lanes with the cars in some spots.
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Old 07-27-2014, 08:50 PM
 
Location: Massachusetts
6,301 posts, read 9,638,276 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by semiurbanite View Post
I ride a single speed to work every day, if you are used to riding one it's a perfect city for it as there is almost always a way to get from A to B with minimal hills.
Seriously, Somerville is pretty hilly. Summer Hill, Winter Hill got their names for a reason.
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