Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What is the mindset of singlespeeders?

Are you minimalists? The hell with shifters shocks disks. Don't need them.
Weight freaks? I can still eliminate a few grams if I don't paint it.
Poor? Can't afford extras

Are thse usually roadie bikes or beach cruizers types?
Is this a big city thing?

I really do not know. I see 169 people viewing at this time, which is more than the rest.
There's alot of you. Please educate this off road rider.

CE

more questions:

PS and another thing, are these the velodrome types?
Brakes, these aren't like I had on the old 20" BMX where you pedal backward a bit and that had
a friction brake is it? Or you just push really hard on the up swinging pedal?

...and why CAN'T I ride on a Velo with just any old bike?

Lotsa questions. thanks

I'm too dumb to adjust derailleurs and don't like coasting - it feels like something is broken...

I'm a just hip kinda guy looking for a hip kinda girl.

your generlizing like were all the same. as for me i like the simplicity and reliability
also wieght is a factor,and its fun as hell. but not everyone is in it for the same reason.

started off my first bike build not wanting to mess with learning derailleurs and cable routing. turns out the silly thing is addictive.

My frame didn't have a derailleur hanger. :(

I used to ride offroad all the time.
After riding fixed on the street you get an appreciation for the control and tight handling. I think i prefer it to mountain biking. I also like the simplicity and not having to mess around with parts.
now when I ride my MTB it feels really sloppy and mushy, especially with the freewheel and suspension.

I'm drunk.

uh...

for ss: lighter, dependable, quiet, simple. easier to clean, easier to keep clean, once set up properly no finicky adjustments to make, easier to set up.

oh, and rear wheels with no dish are quite a bit stronger.

for fixed, all that and the constant connection to the road, the flywheel effect, the beauty of a true trackstand, and the jedi-like extension of awareness that you get from having to plan ahead.

and then there's the ride itself...but like all soul-riding, there's no point talking about it.

not everyone is in it for the same reason.

Personally, I'm in it for all the wrong reasons.

m.

biggest thrill for me is the "flywheel effect" where the inertia of the moving bike keeps your feet and legs moving - that, and how you can make subtle speed adjustments both up and down, with subtle leg pressure adjustments. i love being connected like that.

simplicity of operation and maintenance can be a plus, too; i really appreciated this on my slushy-freezy winter commutes.

I'm just a normal guy. I commute to work and ride around town on my single speed langster because I feel like I'm getting more of a work out than a road bike, it's fast, chicksdiggit, and it's really easy to maintain. But that is just me. I'm building a fixie right now with toe straps and stuff more for cruising around town. Ever since I got one I only drive my car around once a week.

Another case of someone trying to pigeon hole a whole group of people into a preconceived notion of what they already know. Don't pigeon hole us.

Are you minimalists? The hell with shifters shocks disks. Don't need them.

Some of us.


Weight freaks? I can still eliminate a few grams if I don't paint it.

Others of us.


Poor? Can't afford extras

More of us.


Are thse usually roadie bikes or beach cruizers types?

All types of bikes become singlespeed or fixed gear. 70's road bikes are popular to convert, track specific bikes are cooler. Older mountain bikes and cruisers get converted too. Really, just about anything, however the older bikes are easier because they have horizontal dropouts which make conversion easier. There are a lot of frames made now with fork ends that are meant specifically for single speed or fixed gear as well.


Is this a big city thing?

It centers on the cities, since those are the only places where you have enough people to justify a velodrome, people are making many many short trips which the single speeds and fixed gears excel at, and in the city is where it has become a bit of a fashion item.


PS and another thing, are these the velodrome types?

Some of the bikes we talk about are track bikes, but some aren't.


Brakes, these aren't like I had on the old 20" BMX where you pedal backward a bit and that had
a friction brake is it? Or you just push really hard on the up swinging pedal?

The type of brake you describe is called a 'coaster brake', and most of us don't use them (though some do). Single speeds slow down with conventional brakes, or coaster brakes. Fixed gear bikes slow down through resisting, which involves slowing your legs down to slow the bike down, or even locking a leg and causing the rear wheel to lock up and skid, and they often include a front brake, though many people ride with no brakes, using only the resistance of their legs to slow down.


...and why CAN'T I ride on a Velo with just any old bike?

At some velos you can. They have open practice time where you can get on with just about any bike, though they may have a simple safety inspection. Other velodromes are very touchy, and won't let anything but pure track bikes on at any time. In an actual race, some bikes are dangerous. In races you aren't allowed to have brakes on the bike, because if one person has them and no one else does, when that person slows down, everyone else will hit them.

Hope that helps.

peace,
sam

When in looking for a road bike for commuting. Saw a track bike and it was cheaper. Now I hate coasting, cables, and brakes.

So many reasons that ring true for some and not for all:

- It's zany. Especially fixed. Just makes ya laugh.
- It's mentally simpler. On my commute congestion is bad enough that if can shift, I'm constantly shopping for the right gear.
- It's mentally simpler. On a longer ride you can just get in the zone.
- It's mentally more responsive. When I'm not shifting, I just think the way I want to ride. If I need to squeeze in a little place, it's almost like I'm sort of tip-toeing through.
- It's less maintenance.
- It's more durable. Especially fixed. It's the only bike that won't freeze over in the winter. Even when the grease in a freewheel is chilled to a viscous lump and brakes have turned to blocks of ice, you can still get around very effectively fixed.

Those are the big ones, I think.

When you start up after a light change, those folks on the shifty bikes are grinding and clacking through gears, while you're up to speed in like five strokes.

When you start up after a light change, those folks on the shifty bikes are grinding and clacking through gears, while you're up to speed in like five strokes.

And you don't have to put your foot down.

And you don't have to put your foot down.

I do... SS here. Although I try my best not to.

When I saw his title, I though it was going to be a post of SS vs. fixed. I guess he just lumped all together.

it's kind of spiritual for me... it creates a feeling of being connected to the bicycle more directly.. your body and your bicycle merge, because you cannot completely rest and disconect yourself from the bicycle like you can with a freewheeling bike...

the only time i'm not a fan of fixed gear is on those super steep hills that your road bike will hit 40-50mph on... then it's just scary, lol.

Are you minimalists? The hell with shifters shocks disks. Don't need them.
Weight freaks? I can still eliminate a few grams if I don't paint it.
Poor? Can't afford extras
Are thse usually roadie bikes or beach cruizers types?
Is this a big city thing?
I really do not know. I see 169 people viewing at this time, which is more than the rest.
There's alot of you. Please educate this off road rider.
CE
more questions:
PS and another thing, are these the velodrome types?
Brakes, these aren't like I had on the old 20" BMX where you pedal backward a bit and that had
a friction brake is it? Or you just push really hard on the up swinging pedal?
...and why CAN'T I ride on a Velo with just any old bike?
Lotsa questions. thanks

I just don't care for the extras...like the simplicity. No rear "d" to snag on the trails. I could just throw my bike in the back of my truck and go to the trails. For me it just made since, living in Houston where its _______flat_______. I got tired of adjusting the drivetrain just for the two gear ratios I ran on the trail.

As for your PS, SS and fixies are not just on the velodrome. As for brakes... Fixies either run non, or run a front brake (e-brake). Its in the pedalling that fixies stop. As for SS (freewheel) it depends... I have two MTn bikes, one has V's and the other has disc.

And why can't you ride a velo with just any old bike? Why would you want to in the first place? It would like trying to do the Tour De France on a big wheel... if you looking for a safe place to ride, look for a BIKE/HIKE trail or something. If you were to see me at the Velodrome here in Houston, better beleive I would have a fixie with me...

Please educate this off road rider.

Ride a fixed gear bicycle and you will understand.

Forgot to post this link. http://sheldonbrown.com/articles.html Lots of Fixie and SS info goodness.

I started off single speed because I wanted a simple, sturdy bike to cruise around the city without the fear of having it stolen/scratched/broken/etc.

Now, I ride it because it's pure. It's fun. It doesn't take any thinking. I'm going fixed on the 3Rensho after borrowing my buddy chrisj's KHS for a few days and then riding the 3Rensho again, and being confused when I could coast. Bike felt broken.

It's really good stuff.

-s

i smoke dope

your generlizing like were all the same. as for me i like the simplicity and reliability
also wieght is a factor,and its fun as hell. but not everyone is in it for the same reason.

yep

Are you minimalists? The hell with shifters shocks disks. Don't need them.
Weight freaks? I can still eliminate a few grams if I don't paint it.
Poor? Can't afford extras

Are thse usually roadie bikes or beach cruizers types?
Is this a big city thing?

I really do not know. I see 169 people viewing at this time, which is more than the rest.
There's alot of you. Please educate this off road rider.

CE

I usually ride my SS as my winter bike. This is because I have found that I am most comfortable with a coaster brake in snowy, icy, or other slick conditions, and I'm not willing to sacrifice one of my Sturmey Archer multi-speed coaster brake hubs to salty winter conditions.

Plus, I'm a poseur hipster who like pie.

it matches my iPod.

Are you minimalists? The hell with shifters shocks disks. Don't need them.
Weight freaks? I can still eliminate a few grams if I don't paint it.
Poor? Can't afford extras

Are thse usually roadie bikes or beach cruizers types?
Is this a big city thing?

I really do not know. I see 169 people viewing at this time, which is more than the rest.
There's alot of you. Please educate this off road rider.

CE

more questions:

PS and another thing, are these the velodrome types?
Brakes, these aren't like I had on the old 20" BMX where you pedal backward a bit and that had
a friction brake is it? Or you just push really hard on the up swinging pedal?

...and why CAN'T I ride on a Velo with just any old bike?

Lotsa questions. thanks

simplicity (almost never needs fixing (no pun intended), fun, improves riding skills, and is great for building the strength needed for racing the road bike.

I like to ride a bicycle.

Most SS and fixed riders are outlaw, outcast, crazy types. I hear that they were beat with derailleurs when they were kids. They’re the cyclists that are most likely to be carrying a knife, gun, or battle axe. They have a total disregard for life! When you see someone riding a SS or fixed gear bike, run in the opposite direction! They're hooligans I tell ya!








i kid...i kid

I built a fixed gear for the simplicity (less to break and corrode in winter salt), control (easier to feel slipping on ice) and price (cheap bike I don't care if it corrodes away in winter salt) as a winter bike. However as noted its addictive so I also bought a factory fixed bike to ride in the summer.
The other questions have been answered. Basically nearly any bike can be SS or fixed, brakes vary from coaster to disc (uncommon) to front only to no brake fixed. Its mainly a city thing because SS and fixed are great for short rides, handle well in traffic and are perhaps less likely to be stolen, but all manner of perple ride. Velodromes usually but not always require fixed no brakes to keep things consistent and from tradition.
Craig

I am attracted to the Single Speed thing. But a Fixie? I am not so sure about a bike with no brakes especially with all the motorized nuts running around. Please don't take it wrong. I saw a really nice Track Bike Fixie last night and I still feel bad because the young man had to get off to avoid scaring the slow moving pedestrians (including me since I didn't have one of my bikes with me.)

Please educate this off road rider.



Want a new feel off-road and a great training tool? Get a decent SS MTB in a gear you can spin easily but fast enough to keep a good clip through flats. Find some singletrack that's really technical, tight. Ride 30 miles like you stole it. About halfway through you'll stop missing what you don't got and start to really cook. I recommend a hardtail w/ light front suspension, or even none.
Your racing attributes will thank you for it if you're a XC rider.

Most SS and fixed riders are outlaw, outcast, crazy types. I hear that they were beat with derailleurs when they were kids. They’re the cyclists that are most likely to be carrying a knife, gun, or battle axe. They have a total disregard for life! When you see someone riding a SS or fixed gear bike, run in the opposite direction! They're hooligans I tell ya!

i kid...i kid

You forgot to add the addiction to pie, beer, or both.

A good fix is cheaper than a so-so bike with gears.

When you ride, day to day, you don't shift a million gears anyway, you tend to choose one you like and just stay in that one anyway

I'm still riding SS but I can already see the big advantage in fixed in riding around cars in city traffic and in riding with most groups, since you have the ability to do near-instant, subtle changes in speed that you have to use the brakes to do (not as well) on a bike that can coast.

I have some interest in riding on the track, so I can always use my bike there if I get a geared bike later.

And yeah, so much less "stuff' on the bike. Makes it a bit lighter, simpler, less to worry about.

You forgot to add the addiction to pie, beer, or both.

mmmmmm, beerpie: http://www.beerwineonline.com/Main/Recipes/Recipe27.html

mmmmmm, beerpie: http://www.beerwineonline.com/Main/Recipes/Recipe27.html

I'll stick to the beer mustard. Don't think this will go well with pie, but works well on Bratwurst and hotdogs http://www.foodlocker.com/0-70080-08110-7.html

it matches my iPod.
ha! zi

I like fixed because it lets me forget.

At a certain point, you forget you're riding a bike, you forget you're pedaling. You forget why you ever thought you needed gears. You forget why you ever thought you might want to go to a gym. You forget shifting. You forget brakes whether you have them or not. You forget the last time you put your foot down on the ground. You forget that those wheels beneath you aren't actually part of your body. You forget that there's something in between you and the road. You forget all the piss and sh*t in the world and just ride.