Fixed wheel: Why? Why not? Vote now please!

[Cyril Haearn]

I rode fixed quite a bit years ago, but recently have used hub gears, even a single gear with back-pedal brake for a few years

Just ordered a fixed wheel for my town bike, fat 28" tyres, I am pleased with myself, but why? Just been calculating gear ratios The bike shall be lighter and give more feedback, lighter and simpler, Plus One! Doubtless (I hope) I shall be asked why I have upgraded, how can I explain to non-cyclists?

Why do you love riding fixed?

[PT1029]

1. Good in traffic - when the speed ebbs and flows, ease up on the pedalling and you slow down, no need to keep reaching for the brakes (unless you need to slow down/stop in a sharper manner.
2. Excellent on ice, you can slow down much better than with brakes (risk of skidding when the brake initially goes on/bites).
3. For a year round hack, cheaper to replace the drive train when it wears out.
4. Useful anti theft device to inhibit it being ridden away by the unwary.

When not?
1. If I lived somewhere hilly like Matlock. I used to ride fixed around South Wales in my student days (weekend rides from Swansea). A friend I cycled with recalled seeing all the heads turn to watch me as I rode past locals down hill through a village, adding he counted my pedals at 180 rpm (he did a maths degree, so I'm sure his counting was accurate!).
2. More of a faff to oil the chain, as you can't simply lean the bike up and turn the pedals backwards to oil the chain.

[mig]

https://thefixedfactor.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/the-fixed-factor-or-how-matt-seaton-ruined-my-blog-about-the-joys-of-riding-a-fixed-gear-bicycle/

approx half way down this page.

[JonMcD]

For: Near total silence when on slick tyres. An other worldly experience when out in the countryside.

Against:

1. Having to brake more on steep hills.

2. A couple of incidences when squeezed into the gutter by overtaking HGVs who thought they have passed me. I feared that a pedal strike on the curb would throw me under the wheels.

[SimonCelsa]

I have never quite seen the point; cycling slowly in congested areas, getting the pedals back in position when stopped at the lights, hopping up kerbs, tight cornering at speed.....just a few of the things made difficult without a freewheel. My overriding impression was that it all seemed a little overwrought for no real benefit. Must try harder, I know.

[tim-b]

Hi
Plus: Minimalist; cool, light weight, ease of maintenance, reliable, better control in some limited circumstances, required in some competitions
Minus: Everything else
Regards
tim-b

[Spinners]

Having seen your opening post Bryn and the pro's stated in the replies I'm now kicking myself for not going fixed for my return to commuting. Port Talbot to Swansea and with barely a lump between the two.

[slowster]

No unnecessary gear changes in search of that slightly better gear. On a fixed gear bike you are always in the right gear.

[Cyril Haearn]

Always in the right gear, Plus One
Mick F has many gears on his Moulton, does he have to think too much?

Having seen your opening post Bryn and the pro's stated in the replies I'm now kicking myself for not going fixed for my return to commuting. Port Talbot to Swansea and with barely a lump between the two.

N+1?!
..
Just looked out 'The Escape Artist' by Matt Seaton to read again
..
I understand fixed hub gears with two or more ratios are available, anybody used one?

[whoof]

Good training for the World Gurning championships when riding up many hills.
Stops you riding too fast down the other side.

[Spinners]

On a fixed gear bike you are always in the right gear.

Love it! That should be on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square.

[Cyril Haearn]

On a fixed gear bike you are always in the right gear.

Love it! That should be on the fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square.

And with 33 gears one is often in the wrong gear and must keep changing

[Cyril Haearn]

Why are fixed sprockets screwed, not splined?

[scottg]

Why are fixed sprockets screwed, not splined?

White Industries make splined fixed hubs, there are also fixed hubs that repurpose
the 6 bolt disc mount for cogs. There is also a screw on spline mount to convert threaded hubs
to spline. All these are too expensive for CTC members, so they are of no import here.

Very shiny, would no doubt get knicked on the very first ride in GB.

[alexnharvey]

I came across one of these 6 bolt sprockets on eBay recently and I thought it would be a good way to satisfy my curiosity as I have a suitable rear hub. Now I use it for the majority of my commutes. I'm not quite sure why that is.

I'm tempted to go for a front hub in future so I can have zero dish or possibly a shorter free hub body would gain me 4.5mm.