Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - should i...GO FIXIE/SINGLE SPEED?

im a (typically) a designated roadie (i like gears) but i live in the northwest. and it rains. ALOT. i've heeeeaard...that fixies/single speeds are good in wet or icy weather, and they just handle better than bikes w/gears. also, what is the difference between fixed gears and single speeds? i've seriously been thinking about getting a fixed gear, or making a road bike into a fixed gear. what would i have to do to accomplish this? im pretty darned tachy with bikes, it sounds easy enough to 'convert'.

A SS will handle the same as your geared bike but a fix gives you far more control over the wheels without using the brakes. Think of it as the difference between a stick and an auto tranny.

To "convert" go here first. www.sheldonbrown.com

It's cross posted in the road forum. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=203034)

*gets out popcorn*

To "convert" go here first. www.sheldonbrown.com

+1

1) Be carefull not to ask this forum anything that is covered on that website. That site is very thorough.
2) "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."* Like the Search tool. It's amazing what that thing turns up...when it's working.
3) Good luck with your decision and project!




* by Arthur C. Clarke

i think reading sheldonbrown.com should be a prerequisite for posting anywhere on bf.

multi gears, single speed/fixed gear, general maintenance, sturmey-archer, travel log, bcd, coaster brakes, vintage info...that site has ****ing everything.

no get out ----->

if you're going to buy a new hub, buy a flip-flop one (formula & white industries make them, to name a couple)... that means fixed on one side, and SS on the other. try both sides out for a couple of months (especially if you've never ridden a fixed gear before, which take a bit to get used to), and decide which one you like more then. dig?

It's cross posted in the road forum. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=203034)

*gets out popcorn*

thanks for the link, that was a really funny read.
most of those dudes have [of course] no idea what they're talking about when it comes to fixed, but it sure is amusing to watch them discuss it's merits, or complete lack thereof.

+1 on the flip flop hub
+1 on Sheldon't site. I read every word before I put my first conversion together.

No. One day you will wake up broke, unemployed, and womanless, and have only a poorly built bike to show for it.

No. One day you will wake up broke, unemployed, and womanless, and have only a poorly built bike to show for it.
if one day = today :(

Go fixie and put fenders on it and a front brake. Easy maintenance in the winter and better traction control, i.e.; your legs.