'Fixed' bikes...

[yenrod]

Quite a few on here use fixed bikes - I just can't see the sense for them: can someone explain why you forego the use of gears to use only ONE !?!?!?!???

 

[Disgruntled Goat]

It's a Zen thing, all the rest is marketing.

 

[Arch]

I don't have one myself, but I gather it's for lots of reasons. Less to go wrong. And some people like the feeling of total connection you get. And it can be good to make yourself work, rather than rely on gears. And some people just like it. It's fun. Like any sort of choice in cycling.

 

[rich p]

I don't think I'd want one in a town as hilly as Brighton. My knees would be shot. Did it become popular because of the courier thing?

 

[walker]

adds strength to the legs, and yes less to go wrong.

 

[Twenty Inch]

Very very relaxing. I've been riding one daily for 2 weeks on my usual commute and I cycle completely differently. Lovely.

 

[domtyler]

It's a bit like driving an automatic instead of a manual. A lot less stressful. Faster in general too. Great control of speed and direction as well. Unbeatable for a flattish commute through heavy traffic.

 

[TheDoctor]

It's just another form of bike. Some like them, some don't.
I wouldn't want one as my only bike, but I do intend to build one up soon. Just because I've not had one for a decade or so.

 

[Maz]

Great for doing trackstands.
Tried one out!

 

[betty swollocks]

For me, it is as Arch puts it ie the feeling of total connection, the feeling of unity with machine. Sounds a bit arty farty I know, but you really have to experience it to fully understand. On a practical level, there is less to go wrong and on an aesthetic level, the bike looks clean and wonderfully simple. It's also faster up most hills except the extremely steep ones, going down can be a bit of a challenge though!

 

[Twenty Inch]

For me, it is as Arch puts it ie the feeling of total connection, the feeling of unity with machine. Sounds a bit arty farty I know, but you really have to experience it to fully understand. On a practical level, there is less to go wrong and on an aesthetic level, the bike looks clean and wonderfully simple. It's also faster up most hills except the extremely steep ones, going down can be a bit of a challenge though!

Yep. I completely burned off my commuting buddy this morning on the long hill up out of the railway station. Passed him with loads to spare whilst he was fiddling about trying to find a gear.

 

[Maz]

fixys cant be good for uphills, right? You must have to stand on the pedals out of the seat and knacker your knees.

 

[domtyler]

fixys cant be good for uphills, right? You must have to stand on the pedals out of the seat and knacker your knees.

They are great for gentle hills or short sharp ones, just blast up there. On long steep ascents they are not suitable though.

 

[trustysteed]

they are like the apple macs of the bike world...

 

[betty swollocks]

they are like the apple macs of the bike world...

I've got two of those too!

It's the simplicity and ease of use