Thinking about a fixed
Thinking about a fixed
Today when I was fixing the chain (again) when a very nice fellow on a fixed stopped to chat... and very highly recommended a fixed for commuting.
I'm not certain ... what do you think? Worries are not attaining the same speeds I can just now, and the very big hills near my house.
Would be very grateful for views on this! Am very tempted!
Thx all
I'm not certain ... what do you think? Worries are not attaining the same speeds I can just now, and the very big hills near my house.
Would be very grateful for views on this! Am very tempted!
Thx all
Re: Thinking about a fixed
I try not to remember the day I tried to ride fixed ... it brings back the nightmares.
I have tremendous admiration for those who can ride fixed, I'm not one of them.
I have tremendous admiration for those who can ride fixed, I'm not one of them.
High on a cocktail of flossy teacakes and marmalade
Re: Thinking about a fixed
Interesting! Wonder where I can borrow one from... maybe I should test it out before spending any money.
Re: Thinking about a fixed
I tried it on my 15 mile round trip commute but given that I have a 30+mph descent going either way I ditched the idea after one ride and my knees took a week to forgive me.
Re: Thinking about a fixed
I rode one when I was at college 25 years ago before they were trendy, it was flat, but where hilly which it was at home then a whole new ball game, you need to be fit and have strong legs and I'm still not convinced of their merits in London vs a single speed for commuting though I have been known to do a few laps of the Outer circle in Regents Park.
Re: Thinking about a fixed
The mere fact that your 'nice fellow' thinks a fixed is the bee's knees, doesn't mean it'll work for you.
To my mind, a fixed is one of four things:
a) A track bike.
b) A fashion accessory.
c) A fad.
d) A penny farthing.
So which is it for you?
Take a deep breath and have a good long think before you throw your money about, and risk putting yourself off cycling for life.
Mind you, a fixie will stand you in very good stead regarding one or two Other Places I could mention...
If you're absolutely sure you want to, go ahead. Otherwise...
To my mind, a fixed is one of four things:
a) A track bike.
b) A fashion accessory.
c) A fad.
d) A penny farthing.
So which is it for you?
Take a deep breath and have a good long think before you throw your money about, and risk putting yourself off cycling for life.
Mind you, a fixie will stand you in very good stead regarding one or two Other Places I could mention...
If you're absolutely sure you want to, go ahead. Otherwise...
Suppose that this room is a lift. The support breaks and down we go with ever-increasing velocity.
Let us pass the time by performing physical experiments...
--- Arthur Eddington (creator of the Eddington Number).
Let us pass the time by performing physical experiments...
--- Arthur Eddington (creator of the Eddington Number).
Re: Thinking about a fixed
This forum may have saved me!
Seemed like a good idea for low maintenance and I fancied that waiting at the lights holding the bike thing... but the main draw was the "your legs are the gears" being forced to get a bit fitter!!
... or maybe not
Seemed like a good idea for low maintenance and I fancied that waiting at the lights holding the bike thing... but the main draw was the "your legs are the gears" being forced to get a bit fitter!!
... or maybe not
Re: Thinking about a fixed
You might think about a single speed freewheel bike instead.
All the low to no maintenance benefits of a fixed (plus a very lightweight bike)
with none of the sore knees associated with back pedal braking.
The only servicing my SS gets is a bit of motor oil on the chain once a
month and blowing up the tyres.
Plus it only weighs 14.5lbs and I've lost a stone since I started riding it!
It can take anything the worst of a British winter throws at it and it has not
once let me down mechanically.
Ignore the naysayers. Gears and rim brakes in winter = hard times.And throwaway gears
and cassettes/chains come Springtime.
I ride a fixed with a front disc and it's an utterly bombproof combination.
All the low to no maintenance benefits of a fixed (plus a very lightweight bike)
with none of the sore knees associated with back pedal braking.
The only servicing my SS gets is a bit of motor oil on the chain once a
month and blowing up the tyres.
Plus it only weighs 14.5lbs and I've lost a stone since I started riding it!
It can take anything the worst of a British winter throws at it and it has not
once let me down mechanically.
Ignore the naysayers. Gears and rim brakes in winter = hard times.And throwaway gears
and cassettes/chains come Springtime.
I ride a fixed with a front disc and it's an utterly bombproof combination.
Re: Thinking about a fixed
I ride a 66" gear and there's very few hills I cannot easy conquer with it!
Re: Thinking about a fixed
dazza500 wrote:I ride a 66" gear and there's very few hills I cannot easy conquer with it!
I run 74.2" and there is only one hill on my commute where I have to get off and walk and that's because the hill is a one way street and I'm going the wrong way, on the climb of the other hill I'm in the top 25% according to Strava and I'm guessing those above me are on geared bikes.
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Re: Thinking about a fixed
Well i bought a fixie having always wanted one after one go about 30 years ago (ie the go was 30 years ago). Finally went for it 4 or 5 years ago - unfit , middle aged, hilly city (Bristol) and spend a grand on a Condor - daft buy written all over it.
I love it , riding it every day nearly and still haven't got round to fixing my "proper" bike, which needed fetling around when i got the fixie.
Single speed is neither one thing nor t'other in my view - just a geared bike with only 1 gear. The fixiness, once you've got the hang of it, and got the optimum cogs on it, is the real magic. Hard to explain, but has a "directness" which you just don't get with a freewhel. Don't think I'd want to tour the lake disctrict on it, but have done a couple of 30 to 40 mile trips - which would have been beyond me on any bike when i got it.
Recommended !
I love it , riding it every day nearly and still haven't got round to fixing my "proper" bike, which needed fetling around when i got the fixie.
Single speed is neither one thing nor t'other in my view - just a geared bike with only 1 gear. The fixiness, once you've got the hang of it, and got the optimum cogs on it, is the real magic. Hard to explain, but has a "directness" which you just don't get with a freewhel. Don't think I'd want to tour the lake disctrict on it, but have done a couple of 30 to 40 mile trips - which would have been beyond me on any bike when i got it.
Recommended !
Re: Thinking about a fixed
A lot of people buy flip flop wheels. Basically a fixed on one side and free on the other
such you can just flip about. It's an easier way to transition into fixed wheel
riding which some folk find intimidating.
I have four friends who are all bike shop owners and all ride single speed or
fixed October to March. These guys aren't daft!
such you can just flip about. It's an easier way to transition into fixed wheel
riding which some folk find intimidating.
I have four friends who are all bike shop owners and all ride single speed or
fixed October to March. These guys aren't daft!
Re: Thinking about a fixed
There's a nice fixed/free for sale in the Bikes for Sale thread.
A proper classic British Claud Butler. Worth s look.
A proper classic British Claud Butler. Worth s look.
Re: Thinking about a fixed
Don't be put off by the naysayers, who may or may not have ever tried one. A fixed makes a great commuter bike, not only for the low-maintenance but also for the excellent work-out you get over a short trip; and both your hill-climbing and pedal action will benefit. My commute is 18m each way in the Chilterns, and I use the fixed more times than gears. On a flatter commute it would be fixed always.
More to be found here
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=72585
+1
More to be found here
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=72585
Single speed is neither one thing nor t'other in my view - just a geared bike with only 1 gear. The fixiness, once you've got the hang of it, and got the optimum cogs on it, is the real magic. Hard to explain, but has a "directness" which you just don't get with a freewhel
+1
The weekend comes, my cycle hums
Re: Thinking about a fixed
+1 The naysayers probably threw their leg over a fixed 30 years ago do five minutes
And 'didn't like it'. More fool them!
And 'didn't like it'. More fool them!