Is a Single Speed Slower?

Each year I try to compare my training with where I was at the same time last year. In the past, I have used such things as time over a certain route or average speed for the same route. However, these are not a very good indicators as they are highly dependent on weather conditions.

Last year I purchased a CycleOps PowerTap hub for my MTB and now I can compare power over a ride, course, or part of a course such as a certain climb or sprint. So when I switched to a single speed I was very curious if the single speed was slower than a geared bike under various conditions.

So far I have only been able to compare various road rides, as here in Wisconsin the ground has not completely thawed and dried and so the trails are not yet open. Right now I am using a 2:1 gear ratio that seems to work well on the short but moderately steep hills in the area. This ratio gives me a top speed of about 20-21 mph before I "spin out" on flats and downhills.

So what is my overall finding so far? On the average I'm slightly faster on my single speed compared to my geared bike rides from last year. The average power output is slightly higher. That may mean I'm just in better condition than last year at this time, but it is interesting.

One worry I had about the single speed was in climbing, but when I compared specific climbs to the geared bike I have found that I'm just as fast on the single speed and have a similar power output. How about sprints? In a short sprint, 10 seconds, it appears that I am slightly faster on the single speed. On longer sprints I am slightly slower as I spin out after 10 seconds or so. It is encouraging and leads me to think I can compete with the geared bikes in my age group.

In a couple of weeks the trails should be open and I can test the single speed on single track, so keep checking back.

Mike