Ian H
Ancient randonneur
...there's something very satisfying and just plain fun about riding one that I can't quite put my finger on.
Exactly my experience.
...there's something very satisfying and just plain fun about riding one that I can't quite put my finger on.
Outside of the velodrome, fixed wheel is nothing more than an anachronism. Sorry, but it is.
I don't agree. I've done almost 8 years commuting on fixed.No problem.
I didn't say it was problematic.
I've grounded a pedal on a geared bike but haven't on the fixed yet.
Heres my current fixed
View attachment 360412
You have to do a number of small 'puffs' on the pedal rise rather than one long one, it does take a bit of practice.I am a big fan of my fixed gear bike, it is simple, effective and low maintenance. The only limiting factor for me is that I have not managed to work out how to fart at 70 rpm or higher. I suggest that limitation is with me rather than the bike.
I am a big fan of my fixed gear bike, it is simple, effective and low maintenance. The only limiting factor for me is that I have not managed to work out how to fart at 70 rpm or higher. I suggest that limitation is with me rather than the bike.
I've had 4 complete bike failures that have left the bike unrideable to get home and 3 of these were on fixed. The problem is that it's so simple there's no redundancy. Plus you end up putting such a huge strain on the bike to get up hills it makes some sort of breakage more likely. Back in the day I was a 9 stone weakling, (now a somewhat heavier weakling), and yet on fixed I still snapped a Sedis chain, snapped a chainring, and stripped the thread on the hub. Plus the numerous occasions when the chain bounced off going downhill.I am a big fan of my fixed gear bike, it is simple, effective and low maintenance.
I've had 4 complete bike failures that have left the bike unrideable to get home and 3 of these were on fixed. The problem is that it's so simple there's no redundancy. Plus you end up putting such a huge strain on the bike to get up hills it makes some sort of breakage more likely. Back in the day I was a 9 stone weakling, (now a somewhat heavier weakling), and yet on fixed I still snapped a Sedis chain, snapped a chainring, and stripped the thread on the hub. Plus the numerous occasions when the chain bounced off going downhill.
I rode fixed for about 10 years, commuting, time trials, I even rode a hilly 400 km Audax on one. But in the end I just got fed up with it.