Toying with a fixed

[yello]

Downhill on fixed is, um, 'fun'. Yep, sure thing. I tend to descend in a very controlled way, quite slowly really, to avoid the bike running away from me. If it gets away then you've a devil to bring it back under (unless you have a decent run-off and can spin at 200rpm!) I tend not to use the brakes, using my legs to control the speed. For me, that's around 80 - 90 rpm max around here. If I'm braking then I'm starting to loose control!

As for gearing, jeez, dunno. It's a 2008 Pompino... what's that? No idea without looking.

 

[Sharky]

Downhill on fixed is, um, 'fun'.

I've ridden the Q10/19 course a couple of times. It joins the A21, via a slip road which is like a ski jump slope. Using a 95" fixed, I reached 44mph! I was relieved when it flattened out.

 

[WombleStu]

Thanks all for the in-depth replies
Very informative
But I’m still sat on the fence …
Messed around with an old steel gravel bike with a 46 front tooth ring - found climbing some hills v.hard even with the 42 rear tooth - think the bike as a whole was way to heavy ! Especially rolling on 32 mm marathons
That’s now gone - and replaced with a Tempest GrX 820 Ti 12 speed - so much lighter and nicer … (42 oval front chain ring)

Which opens the door for the flip flop Dolan Fxe - suspect I’ll ask for it to be set up as a single speed - till I’m accustomed to single speed and able to roll

 

[Dogtrousers]

Flip flop hub is a good idea and it's what I have. I did start off SS but soon found I like the different experience of fixed.

I have 2 brakes on mine (legal necessity when it's in SS mode) and I have no plan to change that because of how ingrained my reflexes are. This means downhill is not too bad as I don't have to rely on leg braking (I'm still learning the technique) and I can use the brakes to prevent the cadence from going up to a difficult level. That's probably against the roolz of fixedom, but who cares.

I would say that I find the hills a bit easier on fixed than SS (same gear) for no reason that I understand.

 

[yello]

I find climbing on fixed easier too. I believe (so it's bound to be wrong!) that it's to do with not losing 'power' - or whatever the correct word is - through the drive chain as you would on a geared bike (dérailleur etc). Every peddle stroke reaching the rear hub or somesuch. But, yeh, it's easier whatever the reason.

 

[Lostcause]

Thanks all for the in-depth replies
Very informative
But I’m still sat on the fence …
Messed around with an old steel gravel bike with a 46 front tooth ring - found climbing some hills v.hard even with the 42 rear tooth - think the bike as a whole was way to heavy ! Especially rolling on 32 mm marathons
That’s now gone - and replaced with a Tempest GrX 820 Ti 12 speed - so much lighter and nicer … (42 oval front chain ring)

Which opens the door for the flip flop Dolan Fxe - suspect I’ll ask for it to be set up as a single speed - till I’m accustomed to single speed and able to roll

You won’t find riding fixed as hard as you imagine. If anything they are better at climbing than seems possible.

I started riding with the flip flop hub on single speed thinking that would be a natural steppingstone to fixed but I don’t think it makes a difference. If you’re reasonably fit just go for it, the ratios you have suggested are fine and you’ll cope with most gradients with a bit of grunting.

You’ll forget you can’t freewheel a couple of times which will be mildly terrifying but you’ll soon adjust. As others have mentioned it’s descending that’s the most work as you’ll be fighting momentum with muscles you haven’t used before at a cadence you would never do through choice lol. But you can still use the brakes like any other bike so don’t worry.

The first time I rode fixed it was an eye opener! My muscle memory told my legs to stop pedalling a few times as I mounted/dismounted kerbs etc which resulted in the sensation of being thrown forwards like a ride on a rodeo bull. The first long steep descent had my legs spinning at an insane cadence and using a lot of front brake made the back end feel very light twitchy which gave me the adrenaline rush you only get when you survive unscathed from a sketchy situation. The 2nd time I tackled a steep descent I unclipped and lifted my feet clear of the pedals, looking down my cranks and pedals looked like a hungry food processor ready to destroy anything fleshy that got too close.

Still don’t let that put you off lol once you’ve got an hour or two of experience you’ll love it…..

 

[fossyant]

You can get up surprisingly steep hills on a fixed. I found it was no slower than the geared bikes. Mine was a commuter bike, which it was ideal for - no gears to look after. Two brakes plus leg braking, as that's essential with today's drivers. I sold it during covid as I thought I wouldn't be commuting again (after a broken spine) but since 2023 I've got back to commuting on a 90's MTB using mixed surfaces.

 

[Dogtrousers]

You can get up surprisingly steep hills on a fixed. I found it was no slower than the geared bikes.

My fixed rides are definitely faster than gears at times. One of my routes is a long, generally (but not always) gentle, climb up onto the North Downs. On my proper geared bike I change down and trundle up at a leisurely rate. On fixed there's no changing down. So I have to work harder

 

[Venod]

I rode fixed on one bike for a couple of years, enjoyed most of it, but the last rude on fixed was 10 mile into a brutal head wind, when I turned of out of the wind my body just relaxed and I was thrown off, much to my surprise and embarrassment, damaged my thum and not ride fixed since.

 

[DCLane]

@WombleStu - I'm holding onto this bike from Colly. Would it be suitable? Happy to donate it onwards ...

 

[colly]

Flip flop hub is a good idea and it's what I have. I did start off SS but soon found I like the different experience of fixed.

I have 2 brakes on mine (legal necessity when it's in SS mode) and I have no plan to change that because of how ingrained my reflexes are. This means downhill is not too bad as I don't have to rely on leg braking (I'm still learning the technique) and I can use the brakes to prevent the cadence from going up to a difficult level. That's probably against the roolz of fixedom, but who cares.

I would say that I find the hills a bit easier on fixed than SS (same gear) for no reason that I understand.

Two brakes for me too. Im a scaredy cat.
I think hills can be easier simply because the momentum carries you over the top of the stroke. Its definitely smoother.

 

[colly]

@WombleStu - I'm holding onto this bike from Colly. Would it be suitable? Happy to donate it onwards ...

View attachment 821910

That would be a good use for it.👍

 

[colly]

Thanks all for the in-depth replies
Very informative
But I’m still sat on the fence …
Messed around with an old steel gravel bike with a 46 front tooth ring - found climbing some hills v.hard even with the 42 rear tooth - think the bike as a whole was way to heavy ! Especially rolling on 32 mm marathons
That’s now gone - and replaced with a Tempest GrX 820 Ti 12 speed - so much lighter and nicer … (42 oval front chain ring)

Which opens the door for the flip flop Dolan Fxe - suspect I’ll ask for it to be set up as a single speed - till I’m accustomed to single speed and able to roll

Oval chain ring? Hmmm? Mind you I have never ridden them so maybe it would be fine.

 

[WombleStu]

@WombleStu - I'm holding onto this bike from Colly. Would it be suitable? Happy to donate it onwards ...

View attachment 821910

Please say more ….. beautiful frame
Size ????

 

[WombleStu]

Oval chain ring? Hmmm? Mind you I have never ridden them so maybe it would be fine.

I love the Oval ring … x1 setups are just the right mix with an oval ring - both legs equal power ..