Are bike with more speeds better or with single speed?

Antonio3

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So i saw in a lot of kits building videos that they mostly used a beach cruiser with a single speed,i know you can use any bike if it has the space but never really saw bikes with speeds that had a motorized engine.So are bikes with more speeds more better than the ones with 1 speed? and if ,why?
Sorry for bad enlish
 
Multi-speed bikes usually have better brakes, where single-speed bikes often use a coaster brake, sometimes also with inexpensive caliper brakes. 3 of my 4 builds used multispeed bikes as the base, the one single-speed bike I built was converted to a multi-speed shifter bike later.

The main benefit of a multi-speed bike is having those extra pedal ratios for increased acceleration. Putting a motor kit on a single-speed bike can be done just fine, but a coaster brake isn't very good for speeds over 20MPH.
 
I put my engine kit on a single speed bike for simplicity. Less stuff needed on the handle bars.
-I later wished I had multi-gears. Grip shifters can be mounted on the seat post and many other places without much work.
The multi-gears would allow me to reach cruising speed more quickly because I could pedal along with the motor at higher speeds.
-With a jackshaft shift kit, you can really get maximum benefit from a small bicycle engine, like better climbing ability.
-For a first time build, I still think a single speed with a good front brake works best. Less variables and less problems to solve.
 
Multi speed bikes have some pros and cons. The benefits are if/when you break down, you can downshift to pedal easier with the heavy engine chain attached. Also, you can upshift to pedal assist the bike up hills and stuff at higher speeds. On a single speed, pedals become useless after like 15mph.

Negatives are more maintenance, cluttered controls, and when they get out of adjustment your chain can pop off often which is not only annoying but can be dangerous.
 
With the motor you'll find you really don't need a ton of speeds because the motor takes up a range of pedal speed therefore you will be pedaling and it will do nothing. A single gear simplifies things up to u though.
 
Bad phrasing on the question. Hard to figure it out if it about single speed bikes, in which case typically multi speed bikes are better even when you put an engine on them.

Or- is the question about running the motor with a single or multi speed drive?
I've done both with both stock and modified engines.
While you would figure 5 to 7 gears would be the hot ticket, I came to prefer a single speed drive for:
  • the ease of starting (just bump start, simple! Jackshafts have to be lifted and kick started)
  • the least weight (about 2-4 lbs saved)
  • the least complication and number of parts (second chain, more sprockets, bearings, shafts)
  • greater efficiency and top speed (due to less friction, moving parts and weight, and ability to use high compression)
With the jackshaft shifter I did like the lower gearing available for off-road and for sandy or muddy slow speed trails.
I made my jackshaft frame from 1/4" steel plate and solid 5/8" shafting, so it was heavy, about 4 lbs with chains.
Hollow or aluminum shafts and aluminum frame would have halved the weight.
I broke a pedal crank and a one-way clutch trying to start a high compression engine with the jackshaft kit.
 
thing about multi speeds, if your engine has a pretty broad range of torque, multi speeds will not gain much in acceleration bcs of the downtime req'd for shifting. ex. a v12 viper has like the broadest torque band of anything ever made lol and 1st + 2nd gear will get you to any desired speed up to over 120mph quickly. narrow high revving engines like say, a racing GP 125 motorcycle may have 9spd; only makes any torque between 12-16k rpm
so like a stock 66cc won't gain you so much acceleration but if you start adding a pipe, porting, etc then you can take advantage of perfect ratios. or if you plan on doing these things. 4 strokes not so much needed to have a shift kit + they can chew em up I hear,,
 
re-reading, I think the OP's question is whether to start with a single speed cruiser or like a mountain bike
I like my 7spd roadbike esp for when I have the motor off
my stretch cruiser is single speed, it won't do well without motor,, bcs it's heavy ass 4 stroke bike
 
So i saw in a lot of kits building videos that they mostly used a beach cruiser with a single speed,i know you can use any bike if it has the space but never really saw bikes with speeds that had a motorized engine.So are bikes with more speeds more better than the ones with 1 speed? and if ,why?
Sorry for bad enlish
First I'd like to welcome you here to the forum. So let me ask, are you asking about a basic 2 stroke kit with the rear sprocket being mounted on the left side of the rear wheel? Upon knowing this information better answers can given.
 
So i saw in a lot of kits building videos that they mostly used a beach cruiser with a single speed,i know you can use any bike if it has the space but never really saw bikes with speeds that had a motorized engine.So are bikes with more speeds more better than the ones with 1 speed? and if ,why?
Sorry for bad enlish
If you're looking for a multi speed shifter bike with a jack shaft I recommend the Nuvinci hub. If you're looking for a multi speed bike with a single speed powered by the engine I would recommend this bike. Well built strong frame. The Punisher Motorized Bike Kit | Bicycle Motor Works
 
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