Fixie On The Road?

[vash]

i was maybe 5 years old..but i seem to remember my first bike being a "fixie"..

it was a game changer when my next ride had coaster brakes!

[gtc]

I converted my road bike into a fixie when the rear derailleur broke and I couldn't afford to fix it (college days). It worked fine for the flat, semi-rural, Michigan roads.
The simplicity is appealing, but I would never claim that riding a fixie has any advantages over a geared bike.

I guess there are quite a few parallels to driving an old Porsche.

[herr_oberst]

Did anyone ever lower their VW bug with a dial a drop on the front beam? Made the car drive like a buckboard. Handling, braking, comfort were all out the window, but hot-damn, it looked cool!

Fixies are the same to me as a dial a drop. If you're 18, you can't understand why anyone wouldn't want to, but by the time you reach 54, you can't understand why anyone would want to.

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

[jwasbury]

some good info here for anyone interested in fixed gear riding.

Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road

[look 171]

Originally Posted by greglepore

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".

Why do you need a fix gear to help you with spin? As a (good) bike rider, you should have the discipline to keep the pedals spinning smoothly at a certain RPM without the aide of having the pedal push your legs, or a computer telling you your cadence. A good rider is smooth and discipline. Work your other muscles? Most of the time, you are just standing on the pedals to slow you down. The only muscles that are important are the muscles that help you go forward, not backward.

[nostatic]

Stupid idea imho but I'm old with bad knees. At least get one rim brake if you're going to do it.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

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?

You must remember Meathead? In the early 80s did you sprint much? If you did, you must have to deal with him. remember those fights in the parking lot out back during those Saturday evenings. I was just a pimple faced kid then.

Yes, tracks bike are for the track, not the street. But then again, most people would think driving a F1 car on the street going to work is cool but it will ride like heck. I ask why all the time when see them.

[uncle_scott]

I commuted on a fixie bike for about 4 months straight. I rode 7 miles in each direction, and went up and down a few really fun hills. I always kept a front brake on the bike. The only thing that scared me was the fact that I can't hop up curbs on the fixed gear bike, so I always felt like my ability to get out of the way quickly might be in jeopardy if a car was coming my way.

Otherwise, I loved it and would recommend it. The bike will be light, simple, and silent with nothing but the whirring of the tires on the road. Riding a fixie a lot is an experience that isn't describable until you ride one, but getting int a good cadence on a fixed gear bike is something unlike any other cycling experience there is. Something is so fluid about the motion, and the bike literally pushes you along. I might have to go on a ride when I get home after talking about it!

[gtc]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

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

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.

[greglepore]

Look-Not to get into a pissing contest, but of course you can trackstand on a regular bike-I do it all the time, just saying its simpler on a fixed.

Same with the spin-I said it "allegedly" helps-I don't know whether it does or not, although as someone else posted, going downhill at 230rpm plus can force you to spin.

No argument from me, really, 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.

[gtc]

I never got the spin argument... I always thought mountain biking helped your spin more. Try climbing a steep, loosely packed hill, and you'll NEED to spin if you want to make it up without getting off the bike.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by jyl

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

Funny stuff.

One of my favorites...

[IMG][/IMG]

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by gtc

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.

My apologies! You really did have a fixie!

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by greglepore

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.

^this

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

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.

^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) 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?

[jyl]

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.

[Bill Douglas]

I had to ride one to school as my normal bike had been stolen. Argh, really hard work. When I wanted a rest and to let the bike freewheel the pedals would attack my feet. It was an old track bike that probably would be a collectable LOL in Portland.

[Joe Bob]

IIRC Kevin Bacon rode a fixie.....or some of the scenes showed him on one, but other should him freewheeling....

Quicksilver (1986) - Plot Summary

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by jyl

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.

Unclipping is a breeze-getting back in often involves picking up the back of the bike and spinning around to a clip in point, or riding on a cleat for a few strokes...

What will get ya is the little pauses you do without thinking on a road bike-ie you crest a small rise and pause for a half stroke-the fixie will sorta mule kick you if you do that--I won't tell you about the time I sat up in a track sprint after a spell of road riding and ended up flipping down the front straight...

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

^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) 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?

A more valid comparison (along the lines of fixie vs. modern road bike or rigid chopper vs. modern street bike) would be something like the Model T to the 991. It would be completely selfish, irresponsible, and unsafe to attempt to wheel a Model T through modern traffic, subjecting all those around you to the added risk and inconvenience just so you can look cool and be the center of attention. You really can't say that about an early 911. Nice try, though.

[sc_rufctr]

Not a fixie but single speed.