Hmm, do I want a fixed?!

[Bollo]

Oi!

Actually I've already mentioned it to the wife and I got

A good response in my opinion!

This is good. If you've ever come across the "five stages of grief", they transpose pretty well into your spouse's attitude to bikes

1. Denial - he'll never buy that.
2. Anger - He f*****-well bought it!
3. Bargaining - If he can buy that, I'm getting a new handbag.
4. Depression - I wish he'd stop buying bikes.
5. Acceptance - I like the colour of that bike.

Congratulations Maggers - Mrs M is officially at stage 5!

 

[Bollo]

Think of the wikkid trix a hipster magnatom could get up to though.

Take yourself over to BikeSnobNYC, magnatom, and start figuring out your fixster persona....

BSNYC is a top site. Always remember to refer to your fixie as a 'whip'.

 

[magnatom]

This is good. If you've ever come across the "five stages of grief", they transpose pretty well into your spouse's attitude to bikes

1. Denial - he'll never by that.
2. Anger - He f*****-well bought it!
3. Bargaining - If he can buy that, I'm getting a new handbag.
4. Depression - I wish he'd stop buying bikes.
5. Acceptance - I like the colour of that bike.

Congratulations Maggers - Mrs M is officially at stage 5!

Alas, no. I fear I might be at stage 0.5: What the hell do you need a new bike for?

 

[vorsprung]

I commute 15 miles hilly (Devon-Somerset border) most days.
During the winter or when it is rainy I use a single speed with 66" gear

I do not have a fixed because I've known a couple of people who are better bike handlers than me having fixed related accidents. Also it is relaxing to sometimes freewheel downhill. On the pro-fixed side, I have been stopped a couple of times by the freehub failing

If you have dodgey knees it might not be a good idea to go gear free if you have some proper hills to cope with

 

[ferret fur]

At the risk of sounding a disonant note: I think the whole fixie schtik is an example of how people in general and cyclists in particular are sad fashion victims. If you have dodgy knees I wouldn't even think about it. Try going to your nearest hill and cycling up it in the gear you would get for a fixie. I think you'll find it isn't a good idea. Someone once said don't get a fixed gear bike if you are over 40. Sadly most of those thinking of doing just that are the middle aged trying to re-live their youth. Who says with age comes greater common sense?

 

[l4dva]

Whats the difference between a fixed and single speed, sorry bit of a daft question but havn't got a clue?

 

[Bollo]

Whats the difference between a fixed and single speed, sorry bit of a daft question but havn't got a clue?

Single speed is one gear but you can freewheel - i.e. you can roll without pedalling. No freewheel on a fixed, so if the bike's moving you have to pedal.

 

[l4dva]

Damn a fixed bike sounds like a lot of hard work!!

 

[HJ]

Oh I don't know, haven't you inflicted us with enough heavy breathing on your vids already without adding to it with a fixie?

PS "Think Wife"

Your asking the wrong question Mags, it should be "Does my wife want a divorce yet?"

 

[fossyant]

Pah....Mine should be here within a week..fingers crossed.....lots....
Fortunately, my knees are A1, - going for 63 and 68 inch fixed/fixed.....68 for commuting, 63 to go out the 'other way' for weekends. Looking forward to the much less maintenance, and the increased speed, with more control at varying speed in traffic.

 

[Tynan]

doesn't anyone going downhill do what the courier type in that NYC messenger race does at the end?

prop his feet up on the handlebars while the pedals go round at a million revs

 

[Woz!]

At the risk of sounding a disonant note: I think the whole fixie schtik is an example of how people in general and cyclists in particular are sad fashion victims. If you have dodgy knees I wouldn't even think about it. Try going to your nearest hill and cycling up it in the gear you would get for a fixie. I think you'll find it isn't a good idea. Someone once said don't get a fixed gear bike if you are over 40. Sadly most of those thinking of doing just that are the middle aged trying to re-live their youth. Who says with age comes greater common sense?

I'm kinda with you there. I do like the look of a stripped down bike, but the the whole ease of maintenance argument strikes me as a bit weak.
I've been riding my MTB since 1991 now and I've never had problems with the gear mech. My current commuter bike is at least 20 years old and has a very old 6-speed mech on the back - apart from it using horrible friction shifters I've not had problems with it.

I fully understand the desire for SS/fixed, but personally think that the practicality defense is weak and people should fess up to following a fashion!

 

[magnatom]

Woz,

Remember I live in Glasgow so we get plenty of muck on the roads. Add to that my young kids and I generally don't have time to keep bikes clean and to maintain them.

You'd be shocked at how much I've had to replace on my hybrid over the last 3.5 years. It's a long list!

I can assure you, that if I did go for a fixed or ss it would not be for style!

I have seen quite a few fixies in Glasgow, including a couple of bikes in the bike shed at my work.

As for my knees, I bu%%ered them up at judo and have had my cruciate (ACL reconstructed and three lots of cartilage removed. However, my legs are quite strong (big thighs!) and cycling tends to help rather than hinder it. Maybe I just need to have a go of a fixie to see what I think.

Any offers?

 

[Joe24]

doesn't anyone going downhill do what the courier type in that NYC messenger race does at the end?

prop his feet up on the handlebars while the pedals go round at a million revs

No, because then i wouldnt have a rear brake and id have alot less controll

 

[bonj2]

Pah....Mine should be here within a week..fingers crossed.....lots....
Fortunately, my knees are A1, - going for 63 and 68 inch fixed/fixed.....68 for commuting, 63 to go out the 'other way' for weekends. Looking forward to the much less maintenance, and the increased speed, with more control at varying speed in traffic.

63? Girl!