Many people are often undecided about whether to purchase a gearless or geared single speed cycle. Though the distinction appears to be little, there are other factors that influence your bike selection. 

If you’re one of those people who are having a hard time deciding whether they should go for a geared or non-geared bicycle, then this blog is for you. We’ll talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the two options to help you decide for yourself.

Geared Cycling

Gears are cycling innovations which will allow you to bike faster and climb uphill roads without the need to exert too much energy. They turn your pedal effort into a certain output at your steering wheel, so that you can pedal easily and efficiently. 

Advantages of Geared Cycling

Geared bicycles have loads of benefits. One of which is the speed that it can provide.

Geared bicycles will allow you to get the speed that you need for any terrain. This is why it’s used for most professional bikes such as cross-country and enduro bikes.

Most professional cyclists also recommend the use of geared bicycles for long rides. Due to its efficiency, you will be able to ride for extended hours without the need to use all your energy in pedaling. 

Lastly, geared bikes give you better control for uphill and downhill roads. This means that geared bicycles tend to be safer compared to non-geared bicycles, as long as you know how to use them properly. However, it’s best not to keep all of your faith in your bike alone. You should also secure protective biking accessories for every ride

Disadvantages of Geared Cycling

The first disadvantage of a geared bike is that they tend to be more expensive than single-speed bikes. Their additional mechanism demands extra parts compared to regular bikes, which contributes to their overall cost.

Aside from this, you’ll need quite some time to get used to geared bicycles. Not all geared bikes have the same shifting mechanism. You should also master when to switch gears depending on the road in which you’re into.

Non-geared Cycling

Non-geared bikes are also known as single-speed bikes. This type of bikes only have one gear ratio, no shifters, and no derailleur hangers. While "single speed" is commonly used to refer to commuter bikes these days, there are also professional bikes that come in a single-speed setup–including BMX bikes, track bikes, fixed road bikes, mountain bikes, jump bikes, and most small children's bikes.

Advantages of Non-geared Cycling

Because of their minimal mechanism, non-geared cycling tends to be smaller in built. As a result, they are more affordable compared to geared bikes. So, they’re a perfect choice if you’ll use it as a commuter bike since they also work well on well-cemented and even roads.

Aside from this, single-speed bikes are also best for beginners and casual riders. If you’re just cycling to lose weight or maintain a healthy body, then you don’t really have the need for geared cycling. In fact, you’d need the extra effort non-geared bikes require to burn more calories.

Single-speed bikes are also easier to maintain. When it gets damaged or is malfunctioning, you can easily repair it if you have basic hardware and mechanical skills. You won’t need professional repair services.

Disadvantages of Non-geared Cycling

As mentioned, with a non-geared bike, your ride will fully depend on your energy and effort. So, riding won’t be that easy.

If you’re riding downhill, you have to depend on your balance and brake control to avoid freewheeling. On the other hand, if you’re cycling on an uphill road, you have to exert all your energy just to keep your ground.

Lastly, non-geared cycling won’t give you the control, speed, and agility geared bikes can provide. Because of this, they’re really not advisable to be used on uneven terrains such as country roads and trails.

Conclusion

Both geared and non-geared bikes have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. So, it all boils down to the feature you’re looking for–price, speed, maintenance, etc. It all boils down to your preference.

However, we can provide a simple yet straightforward gauge–if you’re looking for a bike for commuting or casual rides, go for a non-geared bike. But if you want to take your ride to the next level, then a geared bike is the best choice for you.x