Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - fat tires on fixie!

After reading some stuff on the 63XC e-zine ( http://www.63xc.com/ ). I decided to slap on super fat 700C x 45's knobbies on my converted-fixie bike.

It feels so awesome (like riding in an easy chair) and I have more confidence on loose surface. Still can't handle logs, but working on it, carefully. When I ride on the street, my bike sounds like I am dragging a giant zipper shut for miles. Trails are like a never-ending stream of physical puzzles.

Does anyone else do this?

What frame are you running?

i've got a similar setup on my former commuter. i use it for anything that's not paved -- crushed limestone bike paths, fire roads, and a bit of singletrack here and there. a lot of fun on grass too.

it's lugged steel trek from the mid-80s, 700x45 knobbies, dia-compe centerpull brake, moustache bars, brooks saddle, drivetrain in the high 50s (spin, spin, spin).

My primary fixie has big 27x1-1/4 touring tires on it, a big cushy ride. I don't hesitate to take it on a few signle-track like paths around here. FUN!

That sounds awesome. Gladd to hear you have the clearance for the tires!

Mine is an 80's schwinn road bike. I don't think I could fit bigger tires... just enough clearance.

In a way, it's sort of like the bike equivalent of an SUV -- or maybe "monster truck"??

Are these fat enough tires for my fixed?

http://entirely-adequate.com/cherrybomb3/rwheel.jpg

My fattest are 32c Ritchey SpeedMax cyclocross tires. They look huge compared to the tubulars I normally ride on.

The bigger the cushion, the better the pushin

I believe Surly's Pugsley is the "monster truck" equivalent. (it's geared in this photo but it has track ends--just this one really conveys the true freakishness of it)

http://bluecollarmtb.com/images/pugsley2.jpg

Another thing about the pugsley- it is spaced 135mm in the front, for wheel switchability to change ratios if you are running it as a single gear.

oh man, reading this thread makes me want to hit the singletrack...

I saw a Pugsley in an LBS the other day. First time I'd seen one. It's definetely it's own monster!!

Wha? For serious. Because the only ones in existance are prototypes.

Having the same spacing on the front makes a LOT of sense! Instead of just one flip flop, you could have two flip flops, giving you four gear choices, and some serious 'backup' action. Plus, it would just be funky looking to have cogs on your front wheel.. Front wheel drive, anyone? ;)

peace,
sam

not prototypes

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=100528&highlight=pugs
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=102358&highlight=pugs

Having the same spacing on the front makes a LOT of sense! Instead of just one flip flop, you could have two flip flops, giving you four gear choices, and some serious 'backup' action. Plus, it would just be funky looking to have cogs on your front wheel.. Front wheel drive, anyone? ;)

peace,
sam
1) front wheel drive (actually, AWD) has been done and 2) i dont think there is sufficient length on current drop-outs to make all 4 gears usable :)...

unless a tensioner is employed... but then it goes against what SS is about.. might as well do internal hub

From the first mtbr page you pointed me to:


These are the 4.0's designed specifically for Pugsley. Not sure of the name Surly is using for them, but these are the only fatties Surly is working on.

Might be available this fall.

From Surly:


Pugsley framsets, Endomorph 3.7" tires, tubes and offset drilled Large Marge rims are still close to schedule for July. At this point, it's probably late July. Can't wait for these!

I suspect the real reason the front spacing is so tweaked out is so that you can use singlespeed disc hubs and still have two gears available.

I read on the surly site:
"There are problems associated with using wide tires: the chain can rub on the tire and the tire can rub on the chainstays. We’ve addressed the chain/tire issue by offsetting the frame to the drive side (Yes, you’ll have to build your wheels offset 17.5mm.)"
So, does that mean in order to have a second gearing option you'd have to swap front and back wheels (instead of flip-flopping)?

not prototypes

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=100528&highlight=pugs
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=102358&highlight=pugs

This guy's bike, pat irwin, is sponsered by surly. So I wouldn't be surprised if he has the early hook-up.

1) front wheel drive (actually, AWD) has been done and 2) i dont think there is sufficient length on current drop-outs to make all 4 gears usable :)...

unless a tensioner is employed... but then it goes against what SS is about.. might as well do internal hub

what is the purpose of this post?
everything about it is stupid and snarky.

1) front wheel drive (actually, AWD) has been done and 2) i dont think there is sufficient length on current drop-outs to make all 4 gears usable :)...

unless a tensioner is employed... but then it goes against what SS is about.. might as well do internal hub

I rode a tall tandem with fully independent drive systems for the front and rear wheel. The front rider powered the front wheel, and the rear rider powered the rear wheel. Plus it was 8 feet in the air. My copilot and I made it about 200 feet before an errant mountain biker ran into us and ended our ride predictably. Tacoed both wheels, collapsed the front fork assembly, and deposited us squarely in the dirt. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

And you are right, flip-flopping 4 different gears would be a bit silly. But I still like the idea. ;) Maybe some custom 4" long track ends would help...

peace,
sam

I read on the surly site:
"There are problems associated with using wide tires: the chain can rub on the tire and the tire can rub on the chainstays. We’ve addressed the chain/tire issue by offsetting the frame to the drive side (Yes, you’ll have to build your wheels offset 17.5mm.)"
So, does that mean in order to have a second gearing option you'd have to swap front and back wheels (instead of flip-flopping)?

If you go with really wide tires (including the 3.7" monster Endomorphs on offset rims or shims, this is definitely true. You may be able to get away with undished wheels if you're not running such wide tires.

But then why buy a Pugsley?

I really want one. Anyone know if it'll be in the same price range as the rest of the Surly fleet? I guess I need to start doing some riding that justifies a ride like the pugsley. so be it....

Just found my own answer a little further down the link:
"The frame+fork will cost 28.25% more than the KM, so I guess under $600 MSRP"