tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post6810133496627706921..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Why Fixed Gear?Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-271953991972373022013-07-08T21:21:55.067-04:002013-07-08T21:21:55.067-04:00Great post!
Quella wrote a similar post not too l...Great post!<br /><br />Quella wrote a similar post not too long ago with some of the same inspirations.<br /><br />Take a look here '4 Reasons to Ride Fixed Gear'<br /><br />http://quellabicycle.com/blog/4-Reasons-to-Ride-Fixed-Gear/<br /><br />Jordanhttp://www.quellabicycle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40616238895579792282012-09-06T14:56:39.026-04:002012-09-06T14:56:39.026-04:00So true, fixies are so much fun.So true, fixies are so much fun.Jakehttp://www.solebicycles.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69189321008334196552012-05-07T15:22:20.775-04:002012-05-07T15:22:20.775-04:00I didn't start riding fixed until I was 40, an...I didn't start riding fixed until I was 40, and I don't fit the mold either, but I love it. Why? Pretty much all the same reasons you listed- very eloquent. Thanks for the post!Captain Hairdohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12724197544507713824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64862138893810371352012-03-31T16:11:52.568-04:002012-03-31T16:11:52.568-04:00I found your blog through a random search for piec...I found your blog through a random search for pieces on Fixed Gear Bikes. <br /><br />I also live in the area near BC. It's quite hilly around my home so I was wondering how you've adjusted to downhill pedaling. <br /><br />Thanks. Great blog. Love the pictures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20455238160627981262012-02-05T21:53:31.326-05:002012-02-05T21:53:31.326-05:00burlington, vermont?burlington, vermont?onefuckingspeedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432075720981550252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68188543372446870652012-01-30T14:05:48.890-05:002012-01-30T14:05:48.890-05:00Greetings from a born again fixie rider (60 on thu...Greetings from a born again fixie rider (60 on thursday!).<br />I've cycled more or less all my life as a commuter and last year went all serious to do a century. I read about fixes in St Sheldon Brown and decided to build one to ride through the winter. <br />Oh joy! I'm now committed to a fixed century in May and 24hrs next spring. Yes, you summed it up: soothing and pleasant. And fun!Nedclivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12143465140455816745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88560091337979844712012-01-17T13:34:25.453-05:002012-01-17T13:34:25.453-05:00I'm a fixed gear rider and have been for about...I'm a fixed gear rider and have been for about 4 years. I started on a Motobecane fixie and then purchased a Specialized Langster Las Vegas and put a custom rear wheel with card suites fully encompassing the rim with red and white spokes. I sold the Motobecane for extra dollars for the new fixie. While I love riding fixed gear bikes, I'm also a double century rider on an SWorks SRAM red bike. Almost all my practice riding is done on my fixie to work and back every day, 16 miles twice a day - mostly flat except for ramps over freeways and RR tracks. I only have a front brake and use it only rarely as I rely mostly on slowing with my legs. I've even done many long rides and a century with some friends while riding the fixie. The century made my legs (knees mainly) hurt for a couple of weeks, but I love the controlled ride of a fixed gear bike. I have five other bikes that have gears and cost a lot of money, but the fixie is my favorite and most ridden bicycle of the lot. What I tell people is that to ride a fixie well, it takes about two weeks of everyday riding about 30 miles a day with regular traffic and stop signs to get used to it. After the training period, the fixie will be your new favorite bike to ride and you won't have to think about what to do when stopping happens and downhills come along. Maintenance is far reduced compared to shifting bikes and light weight is yours as there are so few parts. Just make sure you add a wheel nut wrench to your tube repair kit :))Matthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63146918449609484222012-01-17T03:16:16.431-05:002012-01-17T03:16:16.431-05:00This was such a fun post to read! I'm currentl...This was such a fun post to read! I'm currently in the market for my first fixed-gear road bike, and I found your points very informative. Thank you!<br /><br />Also, don't ever feel self-conscious in the way you mentioned. If anything, people are impressed. If they are judging, it is likely in a positive light. Others are likely just surprised because they associate fixed riding with crazy daredevils antics. Be proud you are giving fixed riding a clean image. Lol.Levon Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01974076263390826548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24213781801879727712012-01-15T11:21:42.993-05:002012-01-15T11:21:42.993-05:00Combine an expensive custom with a fixed gear driv...Combine an expensive custom with a fixed gear drivetrain and you get the best of both worlds! For the relatively short (a typical ride is two 11 mile legs) errand/commuting riding that makes up most of my riding, a fixed gear is an excellent choice, adding challenge and therefore interest to the ride by requiring one to do more with less and to anticipate and adapt to terrain and conditions in a way you don't have to with a freewheel and multiple gears. I had my custom road bike professionally converted to a fixed drivetrain after I found myself riding almost nothing but fixed. (Tho' as I age I am seriously considering a second, coaster-brake 3 speed rear wheel for one of my fixies for those days when cold, headwind, hills and loads conspire to discourage one from taking the bike.)Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37190826218278096652012-01-12T22:14:19.748-05:002012-01-12T22:14:19.748-05:00Totally safer, at least if you have a front brake ...Totally safer, at least if you have a front brake for when you occasionally need it (and you will), more in control, soothing, more natural once you learn to pause the habits ingrained in you by coasting bikes. Once-boring rides through our stucco wastelands become interesting again. who cares why? It's there.<br /><br />I live in LA, with long distances and hills everywhere, and I don't even have a geared bike right now, riding about 6,000 miles a year.<br /><br />And oh, yeah, I'm 58--no young hipster.<br /><br />Here's a little article I wrote on the history of the fixed-wheel bicycle:<br />http://bicyclefixation.com/alphaomega.htmlRichard Risemberghttp://www.bicyclefixation.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60939675097479361342012-01-12T14:30:35.688-05:002012-01-12T14:30:35.688-05:00I like fixed gear better for winter. I ride a fold...I like fixed gear better for winter. I ride a <a href="http://www.montaguebikes.com" title="Montague Folding Bikes" rel="nofollow">folding bike</a> with a flip flop rear hub, and when the roads are slippery, I find I have a little more braking power (although I keep the hand brakes on, even when I'm riding fixed)Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01717941308616724770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83800626774325745562012-01-12T10:27:47.562-05:002012-01-12T10:27:47.562-05:00Fixed geared bikes were common in the United Kingd...Fixed geared bikes were common in the United Kingdom/France long before the hipsterisation of them in America. Just look at photos of old English bikes.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09710715433883677736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-92006008584820054812012-01-12T04:31:31.877-05:002012-01-12T04:31:31.877-05:00I first rode fixed gear back in 1994 and still hav...I first rode fixed gear back in 1994 and still have a track bike today. I enjoy it but I have to admit I never felt the experience was as magical to me as some fixed fans say it is to them. When I started the only people in Vancouver I saw riding fixed gear bikes were velodrome racers and road racers doing winter training. I think I got into it just because I loved the stripped down to the bare essence look of a track bike and was kind of intrigued by how wild an idea riding a brakeless, freewheel-less bike was. Mind you I only rode my current track bike brakeless on the street for a couple of short, very cautious rides while I was waiting for the clamp-on front brake to arrive. I'm not as wild, reckless and brave (or as skilled!) as I'd like to be.nowherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12125582590094636085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-40283999255942470582012-01-12T01:01:00.671-05:002012-01-12T01:01:00.671-05:00Peppy, if the humans tell you that you need to go ...Peppy, if the humans tell you that you need to go to the vet in order to ride a "fixed gear", look upon them with skepticism.<br /><br />Me, I want to try riding a fixed gear again, and for more than a mile.<br /><br />hmmm.Corey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-69923584688955887592012-01-11T23:31:45.852-05:002012-01-11T23:31:45.852-05:00I don't like leg braking and see no reason for...I don't like leg braking and see no reason for it when brakes are available. Just seems to be a sure way to damage the knees.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12945678820964132662012-01-11T23:17:59.921-05:002012-01-11T23:17:59.921-05:00I ride a 3 speed fixed tall unicycle.I ride a 3 speed fixed tall unicycle.Peppy (cat like reflexes, let me show you thems)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65904738999478307362012-01-11T22:16:48.618-05:002012-01-11T22:16:48.618-05:00No urban hipster here...I first rode fixed gear ba...No urban hipster here...I first rode fixed gear back in the 1970's we had track frames that we used on the road for winter training rides. I still have a fixed gear bike, but I travel incognito now. It has fenders and a rack ;)<br /><br />Fixed has a lot of advantages and few disadvantages IMHO. I enjoy the simplicity of it, and it forces me to realize my limitations in terrain.<br /><br />Aaron2whls3spdshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16954543886269776858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-34292950925764942642012-01-11T21:38:59.983-05:002012-01-11T21:38:59.983-05:00I live in a very rural area and enjoy riding fixed...I live in a very rural area and enjoy riding fixed gear. To me, the momentum of the bike helping to keep me pedaling almost borders on a feeling of virtual motion; unless the hills I'm climbing are too steep. :) My fixed gear bikes have front and rear brakes, too, because after I go up those hills, I usually have to go back down and my knees can't take leg braking!GravelDochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07066742071278722366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19384489584231226732012-01-11T21:29:47.698-05:002012-01-11T21:29:47.698-05:00No spikes. In fact, it was the first bike I had w...No spikes. In fact, it was the first bike I had with tubulars - although us suburban know nothings called them sew ups. <br /><br />Not making any claim to being skilled so much as a whack high schooler who didn't know to be scared.<br /><br />If a special edition comes to fruition, it would be great to see the Phil's find a purpose.Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36749653894249210982012-01-11T21:10:47.250-05:002012-01-11T21:10:47.250-05:00So, you've got me curious enough now to want t...So, you've got me curious enough now to want to try riding a fixed gear. I worry about the hills though. Fixed gear bikes always struck me as being more practical in urban and/or flat to flat-ish lands. I also have height disadvantage. You mentioned having trouble finding a frame small enough that also had a high BB. Were there any close runners up before the Mercian? My height is always a problem, more so when looking for road frames. Even the 53cm Motobecane I'm working on now is to tall. I can't actually stand over the top tube and stand flat foot on the ground. I know! Not really the safest thing, but It was love, I couldn't help it. :)Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236210810344032312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3162330814126522532012-01-11T20:51:09.342-05:002012-01-11T20:51:09.342-05:00Cycling on ice! I am not quite at that level yet, ...Cycling on ice! I am not quite at that level yet, unless you count puddles! Did you have those tires with spikes in them?<br /><br />You are making me want to do a special edition fixed gear bike now...Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33791310690665275992012-01-11T20:20:32.698-05:002012-01-11T20:20:32.698-05:00I find it ironic that you get a greater sense of c...I find it ironic that you get a greater sense of control and safety from your fixed. Especially since I've gleaned from the blog that you can sometimes be a little cautious and tentative. I, on the other hand, rode fixed for the first time the other day after about 5,000 miles on geared road bikes. And I felt much less in control, particularly when hurtling downhill and needing to make a 90 degree turn into a side street at the bottom. Concern over slowing down adequately, about being able to corner within my own lane if an oncoming car appears, and over pedal strike if I corner too tightly... Safer? Really?<br /><br />The instinct to coast momentarily while I pause to make a hand signal prior to turning... Well, I imagine that muscle memory teaches one to stifle that eventually. Yeesh.<br /><br />I accept that this is my feeling after only one experience, and I will be out there again soon. But I'm still surprised to hear anyone describe riding fixed as a more controllable experience than geared/freewheel cycling. It seems to just objectively not be the case; after all, the pedals are driving *you*.rpguitarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12944237786703825203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36541412680699578512012-01-11T20:10:04.202-05:002012-01-11T20:10:04.202-05:00To the tiny lady with tiny hands: I had the Tektro...To the tiny lady with tiny hands: I had the Tektro short reach/tiny hand levers on my last road bike, and have them again on my current one. The difference in profile is mostly at the tip of the lever (end opposite the hoods), so they really only make a difference braking from the drops, which, as a tiny, I almost never do. They don't perfectly solve the problem, but they are better than nothing, if you're in a position where you're going to buy levers anyway. The other option that I have on my commuter bike is cross levers (aka interrupter or in-line levers) - they're smaller, mtb-type levers that go on the tops of drop or bullhorn bars. This shows them on my bike: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tinyhonkshus/5557235740/<br />and you'll find more info if you google "cross levers". They give me a LOT more stopping power than my tiny hands do on normal drop bar hood levers.Mariannahttp://www.flickr.com/photos/tinyhonkshus/sets/72157624075929794/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-71470853562014616072012-01-11T19:51:32.909-05:002012-01-11T19:51:32.909-05:00Thank you for satisfying my curiosity about fixed ...Thank you for satisfying my curiosity about fixed gear-itous. It's a different breed of bike, I see, and not for everyone, but at least I can appreciate all of the conversions I spy around town. It has a strong following here in Burlington.anniebikeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09761205231523083781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39007636982232185652012-01-11T19:28:17.678-05:002012-01-11T19:28:17.678-05:00a friend of mine once compared riding a fixed gear...a friend of mine once compared riding a fixed gear to driving a stick shift vehicle— you are definitely more aware of the machine you are controlling. <br /><br />after my first fixed gear was destroyed, i replaced it with a vintage motobecane and had intended to keep it all original. but i took one ride on it after biking fixed for years and i felt so out of control that i decided to convert it basically for my safety: http://kittycatstevens.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/1982-motobecane-jubile-sport/<br /><br />and don't worry if people think you're not the "type" . . i am a "fashion consultant" by day and people freakout when i bike six miles in a skirt to work. i don't mind though— i live for those cold winter night rides home when no one is on the road but me and my silent conversion just gliding along.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com