Fixies: what is the appeal?

[chap]

I've seen a lot of 'kats' cruising around on these things (usually without brakes, before promptly going into the back of somebodies car ) and I still do not understand the appeal.

• Isn't it murder going up hill on a fixie, and even worse when going down?
• Are there any advantages to them over free-wheel bike (other than you can cycle backwards)
• What possible advantages can a single-speed bring?
• Why should they cost more than a decent geared bike?

Or are these just nouveau-BMXs.

 

[chap]

Oops, just noticed the Fixed-gear section under Specialist.

 

[zimzum42]

There are a few threads dealing with this already, but here goes....

• Isn't it murder going up hill on a fixie, and even worse when going down?

Going up isn't too bad, it forces you to keep going, and you have the advantage of the momentum/flywheel effect of the back wheel

• Are there any advantages to them over free-wheel bike (other than you can cycle backwards)

Cheaper and easier to maintain, lighter, greater control at low speeds

• What possible advantages can a single-speed bring?

Good question, other than being light, I cannot think of any

• Why should they cost more than a decent geared bike?

fashion, bloody hipsters riding around looking like pricks

 

[longers]

Mine is good exercise, that's my main reason for getting one along with the easier/cheaper maintenance side of things.

The good exercise bit comes from climbing hills - there are some I avoid and some I can't.

Balls to fashion.

 

[irontam]

I've been riding fixed for a few years and want to answer a couple of points...

Why should they cost more than a decent geared bike?

Well they shouldn't! Check out www.fixedgeargallery.com - the ethos is mainly recycle recycle recycle. Both my past fixies have been elderly road bikes retro-fitted with a handful of second hand parts (and usually painted badly by me).

What possible advantages can a single-speed bring?

I agree with longers, I'm much fitter when riding fixed and they're dead easy to work on.

Borrow one, give it a go. You'll be suprised how much fun it is.

 

[der alt]

Isn't it murder going up hill on a fixie, and even worse when going down?

nah not really you can keep an even cadence going up and be a daredevil the other just take your feet off the pedals

What possible advantages can a single-speed bring?

No troublesome gears to worry about and easier maintainence

[*]Why should they cost more than a decent geared bike?

Fashion and folk who think it's the best thing since sliced bread after a 6 month period you'll find fixies s/s appearing on the local sell sites .as for me i fancied a change and went from a 18 speed down to a single and i've found it great fun

 

[Seamab]

• Isn't it murder going up hill on a fixie, and even worse when going down?

It depends on the hill and what gearing you have. Remember even with fixies/ss you can change the sprockets/freewheel/chainring to suit the terrain.

I find low gradient hills easy on the fixie/ss but once the gradient gets to the 10% and above mark then it can be a struggle. I tend to avoid very steep hills unless they are very short and you get a run at them.

Coming down a steep hill is IMHO a nightmare on a fixed wheel even with brakes - your legs will reach cadences you never thought possible. It is for this reason i changed recently to singlespeed. You lose the flywheel effect of going up but the descents are so much more enjoyable.

I enjoy the simplicity - no gears so you only need focus on turning the cranks. Easy maintenance. My fixie/ss (On One Pompino) was not overly expensive and i do enjoy the ride quality of the steel frame. Mine has mudguards so it is my bad weather/winter bike in theory though i find myself riding it at least once per week in good weather.

I'd advise anyone considering one to get a flip/flop hub so they can switch between fixed/ss.

I ride a geared bike much more than the ss - it's just different and enjoyable and a bit of a challenge on the hills. I don't understand the vogue for no brakes you refer to.

A lot of records have been set using fixed wheel bikes so there is a serious side to them.

I'm not really sure there is any fitness benefit to riding one though that is often claimed.

 

[MacB]

I'd class single speed as more versatile than fixed if you want a low maintenance, lightweight, jump on anytime bike, for general use. All advice indicates that fixed needs pedals with some way of attaching your foot.

Having flirted around single speed and fixed I decided that my best option was a 3 speed hub gear.

 

[der alt]

Coming down a steep hill is IMHO a nightmare on a fixed wheel even with brakes - your legs will reach cadences you never thought possible. It is for this reason i changed recently to singlespeed. You lose the flywheel effect of going up but the descents are so much more enjoyable.

Just found this little gem enjoy

View: http://vimeo.com/5685546

 

[bonj2]

imho, it does get you used to pedalling at a lower cadence, and trains you into putting more power down at a low cadence, but that is not something that you can't do without riding fixed. It's just that riding fixed leads you by the nose to it. But you can make the conscious effort to do it on a geared bike, just experiment with different cadences.

Also with regards to singlespeed, i cannot get away from the thinking that riding a singlespeed has no advantage whatsoever over riding a geared bike and just leaving it in the same gear all the time.

Riding fixed is *slightly* easier up hill than a freewheel of the same gear, this is dueto the no-deadspot effect.

 

[zimzum42]

Bear in mind that Bonj used to deride fixies as 'pointless' and 'stupid' and so on, but then he bought one......

 

[GrasB]

What's appealing about fixies? momentum & consistency.
Momentum; you have to keep it going or you're fighting the bike. There's no taking a quick rest at the top of the hill & letting gravity do the work, you have to go with the bike down hill. On the flip side the bike helps you press on when you're tired, you feel like there's this unrelenting but obtainable rhythm between you & the bike which urges you on.
Consistently; There's no higher gear to kick in down hill to help you boost your average speed, your average comes from maintaining a relatively constant speed down hill, on the flat & most importantly up hill.

They're not for everyone & personally I'd hate to ride purely fixed or even SS bike but certainly my fixie has a big place in my riding.

 

[bonj2]

Bear in mind that Bonj used to deride fixies as 'pointless' and 'stupid' and so on, but then he bought one......

I didn't buy one, i converted it by buying bits for an old frame. Bits which i'm now taking off and selling 'cos i dont' really like riding fixed any more.

 

[4F]

I didn't buy one, i converted it by buying bits for an old frame. Bits which i'm now taking off and selling 'cos i dont' really like riding fixed any more.

Not really a serious cyclist then

 

[zimzum42]

lol - sorry I got it wrong Bonjy, but I think my point still stands