Fixies

[goo_mason]

It does feel lovely and so smooth riding fixed, but I'd need to get very confident at riding my fixie in heavy stop/start traffic before I used it as a commuter.

 

[Bicycle]

Yes and yes.

I stopped using fixed due to pedal strike and toe overlap issues. Long cranks and big feet don't make fixed easy.

I'm sorry these issues took you away from using a fixie. Things can be shifted around at relatively modest cost to avoid or minimise pedal strike.

In truth, fixies are a bastard to get used to, but the reward when it all sings in tune is wonderful. My brother (size 11 feet, 175mm cranks and cleats set absurdly back) can fixopholise without toe-twanging. If he can, I'm sure anyone can.

One sees all sorts of reasons not to ride fixed. Was it you who said in another thread that it was frustrating not to be able to get into an aero tuck when descending at speed?

Ultimately, if you like the terror-strewn theme-park absurdity of fixed-gear riding, even a big, scary dragon won't put you off.

If it's not really your cup of tea, any excuse will do. But if I were you I'd persevere. I'm just back from the most terrifying of rides in -3C (admitedly not a commute) and it was great despite the fear.

Also, the business of being able to 'throttle off' without braking makes fixed-gear an awesome commuter tool. Good for whipping in and out of standing traffic too, but you might not approve of that...

 

[gaz]

I'm sorry these issues took you away from using a fixie. Things can be shifted around at relatively modest cost to avoid or minimise pedal strike.

In truth, fixies are a bastard to get used to, but the reward when it all sings in tune is wonderful. My brother (size 11 feet, 175mm cranks and cleats set absurdly back) can fixopholise without toe-twanging. If he can, I'm sure anyone can.

One sees all sorts of reasons not to ride fixed. Was it you who said in another thread that it was frustrating not to be able to get into an aero tuck when descending at speed?

Ultimately, if you like the terror-strewn theme-park absurdity of fixed-gear riding, even a big, scary dragon won't put you off.

If it's not really your cup of tea, any excuse will do. But if I were you I'd persevere. I'm just back from the most terrifying of rides in -3C (admitedly not a commute) and it was great despite the fear.

Also, the business of being able to 'throttle off' without braking makes fixed-gear an awesome commuter tool. Good for whipping in and out of standing traffic too, but you might not approve of that...

Aye i did say that about the tuck, I like getting low on a down hill section but i never found it possible (due to my stomach which grew when I was off for a few months) with the knees constantly going up and down.

One other thing that got me was the switch between fixed and freewheel. I didn't want to fixed on the weekend and it just felt so weird switching between the two.

 

[fossyant]

Fixed is easy to get used to. Only get pedal strike if I filter close to a curb - never had it on a corner - I don't, however, throw it round just as much as the road bikes.

Fabulous machines for fitness.

I find my road bikes a nightmare in traffic as I'll be shifting and reaching 25-30 mph on the flat with favourable conditions - I'm limited on the fixed to about 24-25 and I'm puffing like a steam train. The 'ease' of getting into trouble is lessened on the fixed. I also have three brakes !

 

[fossyant]

Gaz you don't tuck on a fixed going downhill, you are speed limited by your legs. I run out at 160, and can't do that long - takes practice and it's opposite of normal - I lock my ankles out at high revs, where you normally pedal through the strokes with your ankles. I pedal to 110 ish, then have to switch styles, especially on the flat as I can't put power down over 120 - just need to 'spin'.

Switching between the two was really weird at first - I thought my best bike with DA was bust - thought there was a clamp on the BB at first.

Worth sticking with. I've had mine 2.5 years. Best bit of kit for the commute, and poor weather training rides, hilly or not.

 

[johnr]

I got a half-price Charge Plug last year to use in the winter - the damage the weather did to my bike last winter cost a fortune to mend. The mile-and-a-half hill outside my village is a daily challenge, but that aside the riding is fun. Second everything about cleaning and maintenance... I'm wondering whether I'll swap back when the weather improves.

If you've got the cash and a good enough excuse to get it past the family committee, I'd give it a try.

 

[jim55]

im just a bit apprehensive about trying it ,,any tips for a beginner ,,ive only got clips and tbh the thought of my legs spinning at a crazy rate down hill is a thought i struggle with highish cadence on a geared bike (say 90) so i just dont wana get bounced out the saddle !!whats yr reccs ,,try it when its quiet and take it easy ?

 

[Ian H]

I've never ridden a fixie, but have ridden fixed-wheel since the early 80s. The silence, smoothness and simplicity of a well-put-together fixed is addictive. As for hills - I live in Devon and regularly bash over Exmoor on fixed.

 

[Bicycle]

,,try it when its quiet and take it easy ?

Yes, just that. Start off gently and where you feel safest.

I'd go for clopless from the outset. I did and it was helpful as my feet couldn't fly off the pedals.

Be careful to avoid clacking your toes on the front wheel and be aware that if you get major lean angles in a corner you'll strike the ground with a pedal as you can't free-wheel.

Also, you will find that you occasionally stop pedalling on a bike with freewheel.... strangest times: reaching for a bottle, cresting a large climb, coasting up to lights, when you look behind, even when breaking wind... (really).

All this will have to stop. You just pedal all the time and get used to it. The first few times you sop pedalling it can be comical. Your straight leg just hoists you up and out of the saddle. You'll laugh.

You'll also twitch your fingers where the ergo levers ought to be. That will stop in time.

Take it easy, take it gently and sort of get yourself swept along with the whole 'perpetual motion' feeling of a fixie.

It's not some old Zen bollocks, but it does feel really rather good. Remember that everyone on fixed-gear was once a beginner at it.

Enjoy it!

 

[Ian H]

I have done the "crunch/sideways skip/b*gger, have I bent a pedal?" thing. Less exciting than you might think.

 

[jim55]

I have done the "crunch/sideways skip/b*gger, have I bent a pedal?" thing. Less exciting than you might think.

yeah ,,thats entered my head ,,sometimes on my commute you maybe get forced pretty close to the pavement edge (filtering say)and its entered my head that riding fixed id hit it with my crank

 

[Cyclopathic]

How is a fixed wheel bike any less maintenance than a single gear bike? What is the advantage of a fixed wheel over a single gear bike seeing as on a single gear one can free-wheel and not have to worry about freewheeling faster than ones legs can cope with down hill.

 

[Bicycle]

How is a fixed wheel bike any less maintenance than a single gear bike? What is the advantage of a fixed wheel over a single gear bike seeing as on a single gear one can free-wheel and not have to worry about freewheeling faster than ones legs can cope with down hill.

I imagine there's almost nothing in it... and in real-world terms there's nothing in it.

I think a lot of the 'advantage' in fixed-gear is really just a perceived advantage and maybe just a creeping of something not unlike joy into the whole shebbang.

One clear advantage of fixed-gear (which i wouldn't have believed until trying it) is that although you're stuck in a high gear for climbs, there is some sort of flywheel-effect-type-thing that keeps you going where you might otherwise slow.

I am ardently pro-fixed, but despite that I do see there is a lot of myth in the whole fascination. nonetheless, it is jolly good fun and not without its own advantages.

 

[jim55]

yeah thats the advantage i can see ,,theres a hill on my commute home that i dont look forward to (and i had it on freewheel) on 44*18 and it was rather hard work ,,i flipped it over to fixed (44*16,,obv harder to get going ) and you would think id struggle even more with a longer higher gear inch setting ,,but on the hill in question i must have been witnessing the flywheel effect ,,i managed it no prob ,,felt a bit easier to power up and i must have been faster over the same stretch,,not being able to freewheel is a bit weird (going the other way )but my commute is mostly down hill going and up going back ,,so going down hill is gona b interesting but uphill is easier than i thought ,,for the same effort i was covering the ground faster,,,approaching junctions and lights is gona take a bit of getting used to ,,i usually set the cranks without thinking and frewheel for the last wee bit of the approach ( almost stopped )but pedalling all the time is a bit strange at first ,,i was lucky yesterday and didnt have to stop once ,,green lights all the way so this wasnt a prob ..but we will soon find out

 

[totallyfixed]

there is a lot of myth in the whole fascination.

Wash your mouth out sir.