I am pleased to have set off a conversation on this topic, but in reality it is not important what people ride just that MORE people ride, as this is the only way that roads will be safer for all of us. Thank-you though for the entertainment. Ride safe!
Is a "fixie" the new mountain bike?
- Thread starter bobcat
- Start date
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Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
I cant get up the hills with 1 zillion gear ratios let alone one. 
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I first rode fixed in the 1980's, an old gaspipe frame converted, very few people rode fixed round here in those days, there weren't internet shops selling parts as is the case these days, after a few years I went back to gears, partially due to the difficulty getting the parts. In 2007 I was in the market for a new commuter and there were more fixed around and more places selling parts, so I took the plunge and spent a lot of money on a Pearson, the first time out I did a Sunday morning ride to the Railway carriage café at Long Marston, did 50 miles and scared myself s******s on the descents but was hooked again. Now it gets used on the commute, general running around and winter club rides, my commute is not flat http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=351516 click on the link and on the summery tab, and nor are the lanes around Coventry. the bike is practical, mudguards, carrier, lights and a 65 inch gear. No the fixed is not the new mountain bike, but it is practical transport, and more importantly great fun.
Vapin' Joe
Formerly known as Smokin Joe
- Location
- Bare headed cyclist, Smoker
I have had fixed wheel bikes, but that was in the days when every club cyclist had one for use in the winter to save wear on their expensive race bikes, there not being as much disposable cash available then. I would not use one in prefererence to gears as there are too many disadvantages on the road.
As for pedalling technique, it's only we Brits worry about that. No pro trains on a fixed to improve his ankle movement or whatever it's supposed to do, they just concetrate on banging the cranks round as hard as they can. Go on You Tube and look at videos of Merckx and Kelly to name but two and you'll see what I mean. Smooth cadance technique is either something a top rider has (like Roche) or hasn't got, but none of them worry about it.
Ride one if you like, but please spare us the Zen like purity bollox.
As for pedalling technique, it's only we Brits worry about that. No pro trains on a fixed to improve his ankle movement or whatever it's supposed to do, they just concetrate on banging the cranks round as hard as they can. Go on You Tube and look at videos of Merckx and Kelly to name but two and you'll see what I mean. Smooth cadance technique is either something a top rider has (like Roche) or hasn't got, but none of them worry about it.
Ride one if you like, but please spare us the Zen like purity bollox.
Boris Bajic
Guest
I felt the whole Universe spiralling out of its naturally harmonious state as I read that post...
Now I'm going to have to go and do twenty miles on my fixed-gear bicycle to restore its balance.
It's not very Zen to lay blame but frankly, I point the finger at those spiritual luddites who can't see the holistic benefits of riding fixed.
No angry responses to this post please.... I don't want to further compromise the delicate balance of natural Zenlike order.
(Very difficult to type in the Lotus Blossom Position)
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
There are a few folk in my club that go fixed during winter; I think partly because of the lower maintenance and partly because its good training and some continue throughout the year in training and when they switch to gears they are flying.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
perfect
Are you taking the water? As you were the only one to spot the deliberate error I've corrected it.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
The old pro's didn't train on fixed because they'd learnt to ride fixed, on the track, when they were growing up. Some of them were very very good at it. Hardly any road pro's these days ride on the track. Shame.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
No. Bargain less than half-price blue one with 29-er mtb rims off Wiggle last year.Not the burgundy one with luminous green wheels, right?
Are you taking the water? As you were the only one to spot the deliberate error I've corrected it.
Don't worry I'm easily amused
It still seems to be indicating that there was a certain amount of internet shops about though
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I got my fixed gear bike about two and a half years ago. I bought it new. It wasn't cheap but that's because it's a good quality frame - the same bike with gears would have been several hundred quid more expensive.
Huge fun to ride. It rekindled my love of cycling at a time when I was very much in the doldrums. So what if it's fashionable? If that means more people on bikes, that's got to be a good thing.
d.
Huge fun to ride. It rekindled my love of cycling at a time when I was very much in the doldrums. So what if it's fashionable? If that means more people on bikes, that's got to be a good thing.
d.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
I cant get up the hills with 1 zillion gear ratios let alone one.
There you go. It's not bikes that have a problem with hills - all bikes (including fixies) are equally good at going up (or down) hills...
d.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
some days I ride fixed, some days I ride 8 speed brompton, some days I ride 27 gear mtb, some days I ride singlespeed mtb, some days I ride Strida, some days I ride 30 speed audax bike, some days I ride two speed hub gear with coaster brake, some days I ride 27 speed tourer, et cetera, et cetera.
It ain't what you ride that matters, it's that you ride that counts.
It ain't what you ride that matters, it's that you ride that counts.
FTFY
