Types of Single-speed Bicycles
While track bicycles are always single speed, mountain bicycles, road bicycles, cyclo-cross bicycles, and hybrid bicycles can be made as or changed into a single speed. Mountain bike single speeds designed for trail riding often have a relatively low, or easy and slow, gear ratio. This allows them to climb hills and deal with obstacles and gradients better. This typically requires the rider to be more fit or skilled than the average rider in order to traverse the same terrain. Single speed bicycles designed for road riding typically have higher, or harder and faster, gear ratios.
Single speed bicycles and fixed-gear bicycles are popular with bicycle messengers for their reliability and durability. Depending on the situation, a messenger may prefer a mountain bike based single-speed, which can roll over many obstacles, or a fast and light road bike-based single-speed.
Statements by cycling industry representatives and journalists fueled the perception that major bicycle manufacturers discouraged modern single speed bicycles. However, increased popularity of the single speed has resulted in the design, marketing, and production of many models. In the United States market, bicycle companies such as Bianchi, Cannondale, Fuji Bike, KHS, Kona, Raleigh, Giant, Specialized, Swobo, Felt, Trek and Niner all have recently produced and marketed single speed bicycles.
Because one of the goals of a single speed mountain bike is simplicity, it is extremely uncommon to run across a full-suspension single speed bicycle, instead they are either constructed without suspension (fully rigid), or with front suspension forks. Rear suspension geometry can cause the distance between the crankset and rear wheel to change as it moves, requiring a sprung chain tensioner to maintain the correct tension.
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