Single Speed, Fixed Cogs, whats it all about ?

[J4CKO]

Ok, as a relative noob to the world of cycle commuting, there are lots of strange new concepts I need to get my head round.

Ok, I now know what RLJing is and can discuss the relative merits of filtering in my own limited way but I keep reading about "Fixies" and "Single speed", now I understand the technical concepts, i.e. that they both have one gear ration and a fixie wont freewheel but there seems to be some kind of reverence, zen or whatever and a bit of an undercurrent of resentment, certainly from the London based commuters.

The impression I get is there is a bit of elitism and some riders on these kind of bikes tend to be a bit haughty and superior whilst being more than averagely liable to run red lights and take risks.

I remember as a kid, a lot of bikes only had one gear and it wasnt a big deal, it just meant you hadnt saved up enough for a 5 speed Raleigh Arena, the only fixed cogs were "Trackies", basically a racer frame with straigh forks, cowhorns, stronger wheels, no brakes and a fixed gear and I remember them being a pain in the arse to ride, they were usually ridden by tough youths in leather jackets, smoking a fag whilst pulling a several mile long wheelie.

I couldnt imagine only having one gear on my commute, would I get used to it or is it just pain that you dont need to go through ?

How would I go about trying one, a fixie that is, I can pedal everywhere in the wrong gear anyway

 

[gavintc]

Are you not a little worried that you will assume the 'haughty and superior' manner?

 

[J4CKO]

Are you not a little worried that you will assume the 'haughty and superior' manner?

No chance, I am already like that

by the way, not intending to offend anyone, just stating my impressions as a relative outsider, out in Cheshire I have never seen one, unless Land Rover make one, I dont think I will, they seem to be an urban thing as I cant see they make sense outside a town/city.

 

[biking_fox]

you can try one at the manchester velodrome. They are fairly cheap for a 'taster' session but you'll need to book a few months! in advance. good fun with a few mates.

mostly you leanr to spin really fast if you want to go at any speed. very good cardio workout hence the respect fro guys(mostly) who can commute/courier like that. no-gears = less weight too.

 

[hackbike 6]

Im not saying you are but have you hear "numpty" or "POB"?

 

[J4CKO]

Im not saying you are but have you hear "numpty" or "POB"?

Numpty is a general term as far as I know, i used to work for Greater Manchester Police and it was used a lot by coppers to mean daft/stupid, POB is a childrens character and in cycling parlence its Pedestrian on a Bike.

When do you progress from POB to Cyclist ?

I was thinking a POB was someone with a bike but no interest in cycling, just a cheap way to get about usually with a crap bike, the wrong gear, no lights, helmet (as opposed to concentious objector cyclists), sometimes to be found on the pavement or glued to the kerb, either looking terrified or completely oblivious to everything around, usually going very slowly.

Based on my impression of a POB, I wouldnt consider myself one (who would), I see myself as perhaps as an relatively inexperienced commuter cyclist with a high sense of self preservation and responsibility.

 

[jimboalee]

Back in the days when I was a youth, a 'Track bike' or to call it it's more popular 2008 name "Fixie" was somewhat of a rarity.
To own a Track bike, it would have to be at least 531. Mine was a Mercian.
A track bike has rear facing rear dropouts and screw adjusters to stop the wheel pulling forward when an acceleration is made.
The stem and bars were steel. This is because Alloy would bend or snap.
It would have 'sprint hubs'. The rear hub took a screw-on sprocket and another thread for the lock ring.
It must have 'sprints and tubs'.
Most didn't have a hole through the fork crown, but mine did and I fitted a front brake for road use.

There WAS an eliteism about riding a track bike because they cost a fortune compared with what was in Halfords.
My best buddy had a full 531 road bike with Campag C-Record everything which cost him £650. I had a Pug 531 'off the peg' which cost me £380, and I had a track bike which cost about midway between. For what you got, the track bike was expensive.

Oh, the toe clips had TWO straps. It weighed 18lb, which for a seventies bike was LIGHT.

Now we can buy a 'Fixie' on ebay. They are steel frames and very heavy.
They were everywhere, I mean everywhere, in San Francisco this summer. Cost? $250....
Simple, effective and no-one gives you a second look. The only thing worth nicking is the retrofit Brookes saddle. - There's another musthave.

I have thought about another Fixie, but a frame will set me back £500 at least, and the track components will put the total up to about £2000.

I'll stay with what I've got. 16.8 lb Spesh SWorks.

 

[hackbike 6]

I was thinking a POB was someone with a bike but no interest in cycling, just a cheap way to get about usually with a crap bike, the wrong gear, no lights, helmet (as opposed to concentious objector cyclists), sometimes to be found on the pavement or glued to the kerb, either looking terrified or completely oblivious to everything around, usually going very slowly.

...and gutter huggers.Yeah I see you have already put that.

 

[J4CKO]

Maybe there should be a belt system for cyclists like in martial arts ?

 

[4F]

Maybe there should be a belt system for cyclists like in martial arts ?

Like this you mean
http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2007/09/belt-drive-singlespeed.html

Start with a white belt and then make your way up

 

[Moose]

.....A track bike has rear facing rear dropouts ......

Like track fork ends?

Sorry, I hope that didn't come across as haughty and superior

Actually, I don't and have never ridden a fixed wheel, but I do ride a single speed and know exactly what you are eluding to.

 

[PBancroft]

Damn - I was struggling with my Beginner's Glossary when I hit P. I should have used POB instead!

In my experience, a fixed gear is the least likely bike to be ridden by a POB. It can be tough work to get going and the inability to adjust to climbs can make the work that much harder.

That said, those that ride them tell me they are much more intuitive and you are able to react much quicker. Need to stop? You simply stop peddling, which is exactly what most people do when they brake anyway.

My commute is too hilly to make good use of one, and so I've never had a ride on one. Personally I would feel a bit limited I think.

 

[Graham O]

You would probably be surprised how "easy" it is to get up hills on a fixed wheel bike, even quite stiff ones. You have two options, either slow and grind your way up or attack all the way to the top and use momentum to keep you going. The attack strategy works for me.

PS I live in North Wales and regularly use my fixed bike both on the Cheshire plains and on the lumpier bits around here.

 

[a_n_t]

they were usually ridden by tough youths in leather jackets, smoking a fag whilst pulling a several mile long wheelie.

ahhhhh, the 70's!

 

[fossyant]

Fixies were a big winter bike for training in the 80's......and before, but not in groups.....certainly worked for one of my club mates who was an evil git on the climbs and came in the top 5 on the hill climb circuit in the N.West... on a fixie.....

Don't see too many up in S. Manchester, but there are a few converted old bikes at work - look very neat - frames all need a re-paint like....

Saw a rather lush Charge Plug today - chrome frame, white wheels..... pushed by a student..... argh..... Not quick enough for me...

Starting to get them in Central Manchester now - seen a fair few, one or two with little or no bars - very narrow, so they are after the trend, rather than speed/training.....

What's with the cards in the spokes thing......? A lad at work has one, this Charge lad had about three in his rear spokes...oh far too trendy for me...... ?