Fixies - I just don't get it

[biking_fox]

Don't know where youa re based, but if you can get to a velodrome you should be able to hire a fixie for a track session.

It is simply great fun. faster and way more responsive than a geared bike. Lighter probably helps the acceleration but there is also less play in any of the components. Peddle is directly connected to the wheel, and you can tell.

Personally I'd never ride one on the road, especially not in commuting traffic, because you don't have the slow speed control and stopping power unles you're fairly skilled - which takes too much practise time for me to achieve. But I can see the appeal.

 

[4F]

Don't know where youa re based, but if you can get to a velodrome you should be able to hire a fixie for a track session.

It is simply great fun. faster and way more responsive than a geared bike. Lighter probably helps the acceleration but there is also less play in any of the components. Peddle is directly connected to the wheel, and you can tell.

Personally I'd never ride one on the road, especially not in commuting traffic, because you don't have the slow speed control and stopping power unles you're fairly skilled - which takes too much practise time for me to achieve. But I can see the appeal.

Personally I would say it is ideal for commuting and as for no slow speed control ??? Pedal slower

And would agree a track session is great, I have been to Manchester twice and Herne Hill once and they were great fun

 

[Leodis]

Would it be best to get a SS with flip flop? I'd have the SS to build fitness and then the option of switching to Fixie.

Any recommendations?

 

[redcard]

I'd suggest the OP should try one for a while and see what you think before passing judgement.

I ride a singlespeed day to day, mostly because it's cheap, light, and really easy to maintain and keep clean. When I get on a geared bike (something of a rarity at the moment) it's so easy it feels like cheating because I'm used to smashing hills on one gear.

I'm sure a geared bike has gearing higher than your fixed, and if you're 'smashing' hills on gear you'll do just fine using a higher gear. No?

 

[4F]

Would it be best to get a SS with flip flop? I'd have the SS to build fitness and then the option of switching to Fixie.

Any recommendations?

What sort of budget do you have Leodis ?

 

[Leodis]

Anything less than £1200

 

[BentMikey]

But not your knees!

Nope, received wisdom is that they're actually slightly positive for dodgy knees. If you change from geared to fixed, and expect to do the same mileage at day 1, then sure. Nothing to do with fixed, and everything to do with altering your training load substantially without being prepared for it.

A fixed wheel has a beautiful feel and flow of motion to it, and are a delight to ride, in the same way a recumbent is a little like a jet fighter through downhill twisties. What's not to like?

 

[Boris Bajic]

Anything less than £1200

Wow!

For that sort of money you can pretty well go bespoke. You could make something gorgeous.

Frames are to keep. They are the heart and soul. Choose a good one that fits and feels right.

Everything else (to a greater or lesser extent) is a service part. You don't have to get the gearing right first time. Sprockets are cheap, so have a punt and change up or down to suit until it feels right for where you ride.

People seem to take bars very seriously on fixed or S/S. I cut down my own bullhorns as a fashion statement and often wish I hadn't.

I am a sucker for Campag Sirocco wheels, but I seem to be the only person in the UK who likes them... I never see any others. They are a nice compromise between lightness (not very) and strength (quite good on UK roads).

For £1200 you would end up with a wonderful fixed-gear or S/S. I might be a little envious.

 

[4F]

Anything less than £1200

Blimey, the world is your oyster then. There are some cracking ones from Pearson ignoring the stupid names , a load from Evans (Charge Plug and Langster as a starter) or the Genesis Flyer which has good reviews is worth looking at.

 

[Leodis]

Thanks guys will take a look.

 

[format]

I'm sure a geared bike has gearing higher than your fixed, and if you're 'smashing' hills on gear you'll do just fine using a higher gear. No?

Absolutely but without the gears there is no temptation to switch to an easier gear. I know there is no way I ride around in the highest gear all the time on a bike with gears.

 

[Dan B]

Fixie.... On C.C is that taken to mean fixed gear or fixed wheel as they mean totally different things

This is news to me, and I've been riding one for the past year. The wheel is fixed to the axle but may rotate freely about it, and the relationship between the gear and the wheel is such that they turn 'in sympathy', as it were - one cannot rotate without the other rotating in the same direction and at a speed proportional to it. Not sure what that makes it in your nomenclature

 

[4F]

[QUOTE 2508194, member: 1314"]I've got one of these. I upgraded the wheels. Great bike. Strong and fast.

View attachment 24928 [/quote]


You going to tell him what it is Crock ?

 

[Leodis]

cooper-sebring-2013-single-speed-bike

Nice, was looking for drops though. Will keep an eye open, might wait for 2014 rides to come out, though a CX would be more practical.

 

[simon the viking]

This is news to me, and I've been riding one for the past year. The wheel is fixed to the axle but may rotate freely about it, and the relationship between the gear and the wheel is such that they turn 'in sympathy', as it were - one cannot rotate without the other rotating in the same direction and at a speed proportional to it. Not sure what that makes it in your nomenclature

I've all ways taken fixed gear (or single speed) to have a free wheel and fixed wheel to have no free wheel so pedals rotate all the time and in theory you could pedal backwards.... Am I wrong?