Originally Posted by greglepore (Post 7010868)

In an urban environment they are a hoot, the instant acceleration/deceleration is an advantage in traffic, as is the increased ability to trackstand (the ability to apply reverse torque to the rear wheel makes it much easier).

You mean to tell me you can't accelerate and decelerate faster in a normal road bike then your track bike? Keep in mind that I am always in the right gear on my road bike. If you are a good rider, you can do a track stand on a road bike all day long in traffic. I have done many 50 miles rides in LA traffic without undoing my straps taking my foot out. This was before clipless. I even have the Cinelli death trap pedals. edit: Still got em'.

Allegedly they will improve your spin. Using legs for brakes definitely works muscles that don't get worked during normal riding, but I don't know whether this qualifies as "good for you".

Originally Posted by sammyg2 (Post 7011058)

I raced a paramount track bike at the Encino velodrome back in the late 70's/early 80's but never rode it on the street for "recreation".
For the life of me I can't see why anyone would want to, and I'm even more amazed that anyone could possibly think doing so would be cool.

What's the deal with that, Are these real track bikes or regular street bikes with the derailleurs removed?
Are they posers pretending to be training for the Olympics or are they just doing something wierd to be different?

My real track bike totally sucked for use on the street.
The frame was too stiff, the rear triangle was waay too tight for road use, and the fork angle was too steep for the street.
Talk about a twitchy monster, it would make a U-turn if I sneezed. A good centurion would be so much better.
I can't imagine track bikes have changed that much since then.

If they are not track bikes and are regular bikes with the gears taken off, I have to ask again: WHY?

Originally Posted by herr_oberst (Post 7011298)

(and, gtc, you're describing a single speed, not a fixie. The difference is vast.)

Originally Posted by jyl (Post 7010593)

Are those clips from Portlandia? I've heard about that show. Never seen it.

Funny stuff.

Originally Posted by gtc (Post 7011370)

I removed the broken rear derailleur and freewheel, and screwed on a dura ace track cog and a lockring. Took out the extra links in the chain. Removed front derailleur, downtube shifters, rear brake.
Voila.
Fixie.

Originally Posted by greglepore (Post 7011375)

its just the silence, simplicity, greater directness etc of a fixie can be a hoot. The poseur styling messenger crap is just that, it doesn't mean that the bikes themselves are stupid or evil.

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins (Post 7011210)

modern technology provides far safer, far more useful equipment that is not the least bit intrusive or detracting in any way from their riding experience. Rather, it adds to the experience by providing for more control over the machine, more comfort, and greater safety for those around them. The only "advantage" provided by these outdated rides is the attention they get from other, equally clueless fools.

Originally Posted by jyl (Post 7011617)

I realize this following will make me sound timid, but here goes. How hard is it to ride a fixed gear? One with clipless pedals.

What got me worried about it, was thinking about how I do simple things on my bike. For example, when I stop at a crosswalk, I stop pedaling with my left foot at 6 o'clock and coast to a stop, while uncleating the right, then I get off the saddle and put the right foot down. If I couldn't coast, maybe by the time I got to the desired stopping point, my left foot wouldn't be at 6 o'clock, it might be at 12 o'clock where I'm not used to having it at a stop. I wonder if my brain will freeze up, throw me into spastic flailing, and I'll end up with my head in a storm drain. You know, stuff like that. I am, after all, the guy who fell not 1X, not 2X, but 3X when switching to clipless pedals.

Originally Posted by jwasbury (Post 7011606)

^from your sig I see that you enjoy driving an outdated 911 that is devoid of modern technology such as ABS and airbags (probably airconditioning too:p) which would allow for more control, more comfort and greater safety. One could argue that the only "advantage" provided by your crusty old 911 vs. a shiny new 991 is the attention it gets from other equally clueless fools. Do you believe the modern technology and safety equipment in a brand new Porsche is not the least bit intrusive or detracting in any way from the driving experience?