The 'Low Maintenance' Myth

[Boris Bajic]

I'm just back in from the garage, where I've been toiling away at my supposedly 'low-maintenance' fixed-gear fixie.

Pah! Low maintenance my backside!

It cannot be more than 30 years old and some of the parts are considerable newer than that. Hardly Stone Henge, then.

Yet there I was having to replace the headset! Nearly £14 in parts alone, not including the grease I had to use. I don't even want to think about all the muck I've got on the cloths in my workshop. This was a 'proper' steering assembly with a quill and ink and stuff.

I might add that while I was there I noticed one or two things needed adjusting, cleaning and generally sorting out. Happy I am not!

The next time someone tells me that there's little to go wrong on a fixie, I shall be straight onto my solicitor and a stern letter will be despatched.

So... Myth well and truly put to bed. Thank you for reading this.

 

[Titan yer tummy]

Crikey you're having a mare.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[HovR]

If fixed gear is too high maintenance for you, I wouldn't advise you get a derailleur bike.

 

[MontyVeda]

glad it's not just me.

When people harp about 'low maintenance' and all that jazz... i tell 'em i set my gears years ago and they've had barely any adjusting since. Bike's aren't what i call high maintenance; geared or fixed. It's a point of view 'they' seldom take on board

 

[Belfastox]

I'm with Boris on this one, I had to pump up a tyre the other day and tighten a toe-strap. Things simply aren't built to last anymore, bloody EU.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

30 years old and it needs maintenance? I hope you've still got the manufacturer's warranty.

 

[tyred]

I have news for you. Geared bikes have headsets too.

 

[zizou]

Maybe you would be better off walking...on second thoughts i'm sure you would have worn through a few pairs of shoes in 30 years too!

 

[Smurfy]

Sorry if I'm bursting any bubbles, but the low-maintenance claim for fixed wheel bikes is a complete lie. I've had to pump up my tyres before every single ride

 

[TheDoctor]

I had to wash mine a few weeks ago!! The Coalition really ought to do something about mud...

 

[al-fresco]

And don't even get me started on adjusting the chain...

 

[skudupnorth]

I had to refill BOTH my water bottles....whats that all about ????

 

[tyred]

I've had to replace a headlamp bulb

 

[fossyant]

I had to polish the bike last night, and oil/wipe the chain. Too much work !

 

[just jim]

Despite repeated effort, I cannot think of anything wrong with mine. How inconvenient and selfish of it that I needn't order something new. No wonder the "trendies" get so much stick.

That aside - is an oldie on a fixed wheel a "replacement hipster"? I'm here all year.