Are fixies comfortable to cycle on?

[Anonymous1502]

I see quite a lot of them when cycling about, therefore I wondered how comfortable they are to ride as I can't imagine going up hill without changing gears.

 

[Sharky]

Some good stories in here

http://www.fixedwheel.co.uk/

 

[Ian H]

...or downhill without being able to freewheel.

 

[boydj]

Fixies are great to ride, once you've got used to the fact that they'll try to unseat you if you forget to pedal. Good for a flat commute. That assumes it fits you properly. The track is a great place to learn how to ride fixed.

Hills are a problem, though. Anything steep will be tough going up and you'll have to be on the brakes going down, unless your legs can do >200 rpm. I finally put a freewheel on the other side of the wheel on my fixie - with a couple of extra teeth on the cog - it was just getting too tough for my old legs.

 

[rogerzilla]

More comfortable, like going for a long walk. Having your legs pulled around for you as you come to a junction or corner is quite pleasant. You can feel your own momentum.

 

[Old jon]

I ride mine happily . . .

 

[Ian H]

...You can feel your own momentum.

Oo-er!

 

[Milkfloat]

The hardest thing I find is farting. Seriously, you don’t have the ability to pause and ’let one go’.

 

[raleighnut]

I tried a mates one in about 1974 never again.

 

[taximan]

First (and last) time I ever tried a fixie I landed in a hawthorn hedge with the bike on the other side of the road. My mates of course were very sympathetic.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The hardest thing I find is farting. Seriously, you don’t have the ability to pause and ’let one go’.

I usually hold on to the next junction.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

A fixed is a lovely way to get around, they make a great commuter. Before I retired I commuted by fixed for years, these days I only ride fixed in winter. Great for flat and rolling countryside, if the hill gets too steep for your gearing just walk the rest of the hill.

 

[raleighnut]

if the hill gets too steep for your gearing just walk the rest of the hill.

I'd sooner freewheel down them

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I'd sooner freewheel down them

Its also great fun pedaling down them and seeing how fast you can spin the pedals.

 

[Ian H]

The hardest thing I find is farting. Seriously, you don’t have the ability to pause and ’let one go’.

Just get out of the saddle and let loose. With practice you can fart in time with your cadence.