The 24
This is my version of the ultimate single-speed and best urban bike out there. It’s basically a larger wheel BMX with its 24” wheels and stout build. It’s set up to do my favorite trick, the long rollback. With its rear coaster brake, not only do the pedals not turn rolling backwards, you can also back pedal and use the brake even while rolling backwards. It keeps those long downhill rollbacks from becoming too hairy from speed.
It started life as a Redline race cruiser bike. I reduced it to a frame, ground off all the brake apparatus to give the frame a clean look and painted it a new color. This build was going to use a teal/brown/chrome color combo. It has ten sealed bearings throughout while the coaster brake is loose ball all the way. I must admit to running the seat this high and resisting the temptation to lower it just for the photos to look cool but really who cares about that? I like having at least some leg extension for street mileage.
As far as the single gear ratio is concerned, I gear it a little low to give it a chance off-road and just pedal faster when demand requires. Also, when all the hot dogs pass you, it’s easy to have a laugh at them because that smirk on their face was from passing a single-speed balloon-tire kid’s bike.
This bike gets ridden more than all my other bikes combined. With my limited skill, it’s the easiest bike I have to be creative on and it never breaks down. I haven’t had a flat in over two years and I ride it at least 10 hours a week.
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