So today, I went fixed...

[redjedi]

Thanks, its been a loooonnnnggggg time coming going fixed, but finally I am there. Am sure the calfs are going to get even bigger...

Yes, you seemed quite adapted on your fixed when i've seen you on it. Strangest part was the feeling of not going fast, but in fact, I was.. You have that?

Yes, tried that this morning.. there goes more left cleats.. I am used to track standing on the roadie at lights, so will need to work on that, possibly.. Yours on 48x17?

And BigM, this Saturday, on the Northampton ride.. but given its an Adam special, ill be using gears...

It is surprising how fast you end up going once you get up to speed without much extra effort. I just dislike going down hill. I tend to spin out at 28mph and have to start braking...such a waste of gravity

Yeah, I'm on 48x17 but I need to change the chainring to a 1/8" so may take it down to 46 just to make it a little easier, but then I'll be even slower down the hills.
I use my SPDs on the fixed so it's easier to clip in and walk around the supermarket on the way home.

 

[Davywalnuts]

When I commuted in London the 42x15 fixed was my weapon of choice. Anticipation is everything. It made me far more aware of what was happening further up the road. My only concern was clipping a pedal if I needed to get close to high kerbs.
Nice bike btw

Yes, very much so I noticed. Where as before, I know and can anticipate the light patterns and would speed up.. This morning, I was slowing down. But.... I am sure once the handling improves, that will change. Kerbs.. eeek.. The bit that nearly threw me a few times was cornering fast and not being able to free-wheel as to take the corner sharp.. Guess the 165mm cranks will pretty much allow for a steep fast corner, but I dont quite fancy risking it...

 

[Davywalnuts]

You'll get used to it. Been commuting fixed now for 3 years. 46 x 16 (about 77")

Thanks, I am sure I will.. mine works out as 74.3", don't think I fancy it longer, unless on the track...

 

[Davywalnuts]

It is surprising how fast you end up going once you get up to speed without much extra effort. I just dislike going down hill. I tend to spin out at 28mph and have to start braking...such a waste of gravity

Yeah, I'm on 48x17 but I need to change the chainring to a 1/8" so may take it down to 46 just to make it a little easier, but then I'll be even slower down the hills.
I use my SPDs on the fixed so it's easier to clip in and walk around the supermarket on the way home.

And the increase is very quick when applied too, I was very surprised by it. I think I hit just under 30mph on a decline part of the a316, didnt fancy going faster but maintained it well quite easily. All very smooth and almost effortless... Indeed...

Gotcha. I think I need to know how these 1/8 - 3/32 thing goes... Think am going to need more tools.. shame.. Clipping in on the Keo's was fine, baring once...

 

[Davywalnuts]

[QUOTE 1841053, member: 1314"]I find it easier in heavy traffic on a fixed as the feet control the speed. In the last 180 miles - over 6 days - of cycling in London rush-hour traffic I think I've used my brakes 10 times. Heavy use of brakes (and gears) is unnecessary.[/quote]

I think I used the brakes 10 times this morning... its a nerves/confidence thing am sure.. Ill get better..

 

[clarion]

I usually commute on fixed. Today I'm on my tourer, but that's just because ICBA getting my commuter out, and I'm just using what I rode on Friday night (the weekend was taken up with tandemming and vintage nonsense, but that's beside the point). Actually, I'm doing rather well - third in the world on fixed on Bikejournal (2000km this year so far, mostly commuting).

I cheat.

There, I've said it. I confess. I cheat.

Oh yes, I ride fixed gear. But I have an S3X so that I have some gears. The bottom gear isn't much troubled on the commute, but I find I'm a lot faster if I use the 63" middle gear to set of from the lights (yes, I always always always stop at red) and have the 85" top (direct) gear for an overdrive so I don't spin out. I change up about 30kph, and cruise somewhere north of that. Being a hub gear, I can change down after I stop at the junctions.

Ok, so how is commuting fixed in London? Well, I find it easier. Fewer (or no) gears to worry about. Leg braking to add to the calipers (I use two, so would be spurned in the hippest of hip circles). And mucho control for a quick jink to avoid stuff or manoeuvre round cars.

While my tourer is the most comfortable bike ever made, and barely slower, I much prefer the fixed (Ridgeback World Tour Solo, since you ask - essentially the same as a Genesis Skyline and similar to a Flyer, though a number of bikes have suspiciously similar-looking frames, almost as if they came from the same Taiwanese factory or summat) for commuting. It's just easier.

I don't have stupidly narrow bars. In fact, the Ridgeback has the widest bars in my fleet. I commute 20km (at least, depending on how much time I have to play out) each way, so want comfort. I've just changed to bullhorns, but haven't quite sorted the position yet.

Davy, pretty soon you'll wonder why you used gears to get to work.

 

[redjedi]

Ridgeback World Tour Solo, since you ask

Nice bike

 

[mangid]

Never ridden on the road with a fixie before, so was very apprehensive about it this morning when I finally finished off enough of the track bike to make it safe on the road.

I don't think I slept well, from nerves and was very jittery to begin with, but once going, was fine, super infact, and am never nervous when cycling. I can see the whole appeal of riding fixed, so smooth and efficent and slight inclines were a breeze. In fact, was quicker in to work than on the road bike and was cruising between 22-24mph no worries.

However, the whole mindset is going to have to change. The approach to traffic, timing of the braking and engaging properly with the pedals. My road awareness dropped, what annoyed me, but I am sure it will get back to normal. The times I have gone to Herne Hill have paid of with good insight. However, my route is mainly fast road and not much congestion, baring when I get to Staines. How do you fixed lot cope, in heavy traffic, stop/starting?? Saying that, my gearing is 48x17, so maybe a bit long for town riding?

Oh, and its not finished.. and the chain is NOT slack...

View attachment 9158

Mhhmmm, new bike envy ....

48x17 sounds low to me, I ride 48x18 (90% of my mileage is fixed). I suspect if I was doing more commuting in town I would go even higher 65ish. Top speed is rarely the issue in town, getting away from lights quickly and controlling your speed are more the things you want.

 

[fossyant]

[QUOTE 1841053, member: 1314"]In the last 180 miles - over 6 days - of cycling in London rush-hour traffic I think I've used my brakes 10 times. Heavy use of brakes (and gears) is unnecessary.[/quote]

Drivers must be better in London. TBH I ride my fixed the same as the road bike, and don't really leg brake. Might explain wearing rims out over 18 months - and rear ones at that.

 

[fossyant]

Mhhmmm, new bike envy ....

Top speed is rarely the issue in town

What Have you not heard of Strava

 

[Miquel In De Rain]

Welcome to the club davywalniuts,I've done almost 6000 miles on my second stint on a fixed and I haven't looked back.(well I have really)

I do leg brake when im feeling particularly flash,when I remember.

Lovely bike,btw.

I was watching a fixie fella this morning on my commute.
Decided to follow him rather then overtake and leave him for dust.
His cycling action was very smooth through the traffic and very rare for a fixie rider, he stoppped at reds.
ps
Who is hiding behind the curtains

That sounds like me.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Very nice bike. Stick at it, it becomes (almost) second nature and then you start going on longer and longer rides on it, and looking at hills and thinking "Pah! I can climb that, easy." and then have your first big fixed crash, inevitably going downhill, and have to learn all over again..... he muttered darkly. (Charge Plug since you ask - wot a cliché)

My commute route just feels weird on a geared bike now, even on a bike with only two gears. aka my unfixed - the same Charge Plug with a different back wheel.

 

[clarion]

Nice bike

Why, thank you. Though mine looks really scratty (quite deliberately). When the lock was cut, my bike was left behind. Result.

 

[Davywalnuts]

I think, if I do a Fnrttc/Hilly/London commuting, I need to go down a gear.. track, up one. I will need to try her on longer rides, when it isnt raining, as so 1, not to get her wet or spoil the white bling, and 2, she isnt wearing mudguards..

But I think, once I am used to her, a flat'ish, non traffic heavy, dry ride will be fine, as she is... and once I have bull horns...

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I think, if I do a Fnrttc/Hilly/London commuting, I need to go down a gear.. track, up one. I will need to try her on longer rides, when it isnt raining, as so 1, not to get her wet or spoil the white bling, and 2, she isnt wearing mudguards..

But I think, once I am used to her, a flat'ish, non traffic heavy, dry ride will be fine, as she is... and once I have bull horns...

I have some plain alloy charge ones spare with stem and brake lever, clad in honey leather brooks, sat on shelf in shed going nowhere...