Fifty Plus (50+) - Anyone riding a fixed gear bike?

A thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=71406) over on the SS/Fixed Gear forum is gathering information about fixed gear riders.

No one over 50 has replied to that thread that I can see. Any fixed gear riders out here in 50+?

I used to ride a fixed gear. Those were simpler days and the training for racing was better, but now I'm into comfort. Hmm, I should reconsider setting up a fixed gear bike. It's just that with hills, you're either over geared going up or under geared coming down. I'm not sure that my knees can take it any more.

Hello......I'm fifty. I've got eight bikes, of which only three are equipped with derailleurs.

George

I like my gears and my hills too much for that. Also, I consider a freewheeling bike with a choice of gear ratios to be much safer in traffic. However, I wouldn't mind owning one bike with a Sturmey-Archer ASC 3-speed fixed gear hub. http://sheldonbrown.com/asc.html

I ride fixed gear about 25% of the time. (I am 60)

Im seriously considering building a fixie out of some spares I've got kicking around ,I used to ride one back in the late 50s , realy good fun !!But I think it will have to be fairly low geared for my legs now !

I'm probably going to convert one of my old bikes to fixie
(If I can bring myself to tearing it down its original equiptment)
and I'm over 50.

Marty

I've just acquired a fixie back wheel and plan to install it on an old Chiorda bike I have. It'll probably turn out to be a winter project.

58 yrs. old and riding a fixie for 10 years now. In this area there are several of us "oldsters" (45 to 58) that ride fixies from time change to time change during the winter months. We find it builds body heat quicker and forces us to retain the heat for the duration of a 2 - 4 hour ride.

I'm 55 and two years ago converted my two geared bikes to fixie. I live in a hilly area, on the edge of a national park. I do not have to be concerned with city traffic, which may require quick responses due to opening doors etc. Animals are the only concern, especially in the low tourist times.

I maintain a cadence of around 95 on the flats. The highest cadence downhill was 168 ( for about 15 seconds.) On the uphills, I try and target an rpm, and avoid going under it ( usually 42 on the long climbs.) Any less than that and I find I am labouring, but there is only one series of hills that puts me below 42 rpm. for any length of time, and it is 21/2 half hours away from here.

I am concerned about the knee damage thing. There was an article in Bicycling mag. about osteoperosis being hastened by normal cycling. I think the lesson was that more weight-bearing activities ameliorate that negative effect. I have the idea that lower cadence climbing may be in this category, although it may be, coincidentally, negative to the extent that it overtaxes the knees. Running, although a weight bearing exercise , is often also critisized for the damage that it may do to the knees. All that I can report is that when I go into a dormant mode in the winter with very little exercise I have become aware of the aging of the skeleton, in the summer with lots of fixed biking, the joints do not complain.

I have only been on a geared bike afew times since converting to fixed, and am not inclined to go back. It feels like there is less control, and too much reliance on brakes with the geared bike, especially for winter riding.

Fixed-gears have made me a much better cyclist on the flats where I was inclinded to be lazy and get into a pedal/coast/pedal/coast mode. That option is simply not available now. The downhills have allowed me to experiment with much higher cadence than I have otherwise attempted. With the uphills, you mentally anticipate the hill and approach it positively to attain the crest without undue duress, instead of the "Oh no, not this again", rapid downshifting that I used to do at the bottom of a hill on a geared bike. I also like the quiet, when a bear or deer is near the road, I pedal softer, and do not scare the animals away with that horrible clicking sound ( although this can be avoided by not freewheeling on a geared as well.)

If you are considering fixed, do not clean the chain with the wheel turning on a stand. Without the intervention of a freewheel between the sprocket and the chainring, the entire drive train should be approached with the same caution as any other piece of machinery in motion.

Sorry for the long post.

Yes I have a wonderful fixie that I built from a lugged steel Masi frame. I enjoy riding it as much as any other bike I own. I love the simplicity of it and the quietness too. I am 55 and I don't race, so I wouldn't call it a training bike but I do get a better workout when I ride it. Unfortunately I do not get to ride it as much as I may want as I don't like to ride it with groups. On club rides I have taken it a few times but it is sometimes difficult to keep up with my peers when they are riding geared bikes. Plus my wife loves to take out our tandem to club rides, which is another excuse for not riding the fixie.

Fortunately I live in Florida, where it is generally pretty flat, so one gear works on most of my JRA neighborhood rides. Surprisingly, there are some hills not too far from Orlando where riding the fixie would be virtually impossible. Since I am able to ride 12 months a year, I usually get in about 8000 miles a year. About 300-500 are on my fixed gear.

I'm a couple of years shy of 50 (46), but I started riding fixed gear earlier this year. I've ridden 2500 miles plus fixed this year, mainly commuting, but there's several metric centuries and one 80 miler in there, too. I've had none of the problems people worry about (knees and such). I think the key is to not gear the bike too high. Both of my fixies are geared at 65", and I find that a great compromise for me. I learned a long time ago that spinning a lighter gear is a knee saver. When climbing, it's all about technique. Just because you ride a fixed gear, it doesn't mean you have to risk your knees. Remember, cyclists rode fixed gear long before derailers (sp) came along, and those guys did some amazing things. You don't have to impress anyone but yourself. I'm planning on doing a full brevet series next year fixed, and not worried about it in the least.

A group of us here in southern AZ got together for a fixed gear ride a couple of weeks ago, and we had a blast. Out of 5 guys are over 50, then me @ 46, and one 36 yo youngster.

Read all about it here:

http://magnesium.net/~pdr/fofride/fofride.htm

Oh, and my geared bikes just hang on the wall these days, gathering dust!

Peace,

Karl in Tucson

I am converting a Panasonic road bike to a fixed currently but haven't rode the bike yet. I had a lot of spare parts laying around so I haven't had to invest much but time. I'm 51 and have been riding for 20 years but this is new ground for me. I rode a 53x16 on my road and it seemed to be a place to start but it's a learning curve for me. Is it OK to use a quick release or should I find a solid axel? The hub is a shimano ultegra laced to a 36 hole wheel.

My main ride is a high wheel bike. I ride an RBR 48" reproduction to save wear and tear on my original wheel. I also ride one of my old safeties once in a while.

My main ride is a high wheel bike. I ride an RBR 48" reproduction to save wear and tear on my original wheel. I also ride one of my old safeties once in a while.

Get outta town! You actually log miles on one of those?

What are they like on hills? I've always wondered.

Is it OK to use a quick release or should I find a solid axel?

A QR works fine, as long as you can tighten it REAL tight. The common recommendation is to use ony an older steel QR. That's what I use on my Nishiki, and the wheel has never slipped.

I am converting a Panasonic road bike to a fixed currently but haven't rode the bike yet. I had a lot of spare parts laying around so I haven't had to invest much but time. I'm 51 and have been riding for 20 years but this is new ground for me. I rode a 53x16 on my road and it seemed to be a place to start but it's a learning curve for me. Is it OK to use a quick release or should I find a solid axel? The hub is a shimano ultegra laced to a 36 hole wheel.

I'd drop it down from 53x16, that's pretty high for a fix... You might try asking all us youngsters in the SS/Fix forum...

Well I'm a 60Y.O. Grandma who ride her fixed gear bike to work and back everyday. I just love my commute is about 12 miles a day with a few minor hills.

I am 50 female and I ride my fixie when I'm not racing my road bike. I love riding fixed on singletrack its the best experience.

A thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=71406) over on the SS/Fixed Gear forum is gathering information about fixed gear riders.

No one over 50 has replied to that thread that I can see. Any fixed gear riders out here in 50+?

I just converted a Centurion 12-speed to SS/fixed gear. I rode it as a single-speed for a few times, then flipped the wheel over and tried fixed gear. It's a whole different experience, for sure, and I have now figured out how to get on and off without any problems (I left both brakes on, as you can see.). As I don't plan on doing any serious climbing with this bike, I geared it high 52x17, which with 700 wheels is 84 gear inches. As soon as the weather here in Colorado permits, I plan on taking a ride with my son who only rides fixed gear bikes. By the way, I am 64.

Jim

I ride a 91 GT 24" SS cruiser.
I got the first geared bike of my life a couple of weeks back. The simplicity of the SS is perfection but the gears are pretty cool too.
I guess I just like them both!

sorry...
Misread the thread, it was getting late! The cruiser is SS, not fixed.

Until I discovered this forum, I had not realized that fixed gear had so much appeal. I think I'll give it a try.

I ride a fixed gear.... it's called a track bike and mine is a 2003 Pista Concept. I am a CAT-4 on the velodrome with a couple of silver and bronze medals for the effort. Maybe this season will be gold. Anyone that says that you can't race when you are over 50 is down right dumb!!!

In the 50s I used to ride a fixed over all types of terrain and now I'm about to buy a Bianchi Pista, having been persuaded not to convert my Vintage Maclean to fixed. I used to use a 69" gear for training and 82" for time trials. I am 64.

In the 50s I used to ride a fixed over all types of terrain and now I'm about to buy a Bianchi Pista, having been persuaded not to convert my Vintage Maclean to fixed. I used to use a 69" gear for training and 82" for time trials. I am 64.
You'll love it again, I am sure. I am 64, also, and just converted a Centurion to 700 wheels and run 52 x 17 which comes out to 84". With 170 mm cranks that's a gain ratio of about 6. This is admittedly a little high, but I can pull most of the hills around town and still manage the downhills. Enjoy.

Jim

which comes out to 84". With 170 mm cranks that's a gain ratio of about 6. This is admittedly a little high, but I can pull most of the hills around town and still manage the downhills. Enjoy.

Jim

Jim - that's a pretty big gear for hills! It's pretty flat around here, except for bridges, so I'll probably go for a 73-ish" to start. I need to learn to spin. I was always a big gear man in my youth, but I need to take more care now.

Although not quite 50 years old, he is only a couple of years away, Gordon Taylor is a touring cyclist with experience of a couple of 1000 mile trips in Europe and North America. His urge to travel further has overcome the guilt and responsibilities of staying at home, working hard and looking after the family. With the blessing of his wife, their four children and many friends, he's resigned his teaching job and is now on a world trip. On a fixed wheel bicycle.

See his website at:
http://www.gordontaylor.co.uk/

Well I'm a 60Y.O. Grandma who ride her fixed gear bike to work and back everyday. I just love my commute is about 12 miles a day with a few minor hills.


Excellent, the way life ought to be and one of the great sites of Amsterdam, fit ladies on fixed speed bikes everywhere just like more than 100 yrs ago as graphically illustrated below.

Chuck Schmidt, 60, of VeloRetro fame, has lots of bikes, but I suspect his favorite is his Paramount track bike, which he regularly rides around Pasadena.

At 58 I ride a Bianchi Pista as my commuter and run around town bike.
I humiliate the roadies on the hills and they pay me back on the flats.
All said and done, I get around town much faster on my fixie than I ever did with gears - and I enjoy it much more than I ever thought possible.

If anyone wants to work up to a fixed gear bike, they have to do just that...work up to it.

I picked the middle gear on my hybrid commuter and went down two gears.
I rode in that one gear til it lost its challenge, and then I went up a gear.
Same thing, rode til it lost its challenge and went up a gear.
On days when my knees complained, I paid close attention to my body mechanics and I went down a gear for that day.
When I finally got to my middle gear and could do it day in and day out without pain or dread, I ordered my Bianchi Pista.
I presently ride with a 48 tooth chain ring and a 16 tooth sprocket, which gives me what they call an 81 inch gear.
This corresponds to an 81" diameter big wheel, or penny farthing bike.

With the above 81" gear, I can do any hill in town in the saddle (it took a long time to get that kind of leg strength), and I can hit 30mph, briefly, on the downhills.
I cruise regularly at about 19mph and can show off for a little while at 24mph on the flats, but I have to work at it.
Like I said, I roll past the roadies on the hills.
One has to ride a fixie to understand how that works.
Actually, I don't understand it yet, myself. :)

At 58 I ride a Bianchi Pista as my commuter and run around town bike.
I humiliate the roadies on the hills and they pay me back on the flats.
All said and done, I get around town much faster on my fixie than I ever did with gears - and I enjoy it much more than I ever thought possible.


Ken, I really like your approach to the fixed-gear thing. Centering on a gear on a geared bike, and then after knowing that you could live with it without distress, then ordering a fixed Pista with that combination is good common sense.

I am 55, but I don't think I can hold 19 mph constantly. Your post though inspired me to step up to my 17 tooth cog. Currently, I run a 19 tooth cog on my one fixed wheel that I interchange beween two bikes with 49 and 50 tooth chainrings. That 17 tooth has never seen the light of day, and I will try and get to it with my prefered cadence of around 95. highest cadence so far on the 19 has been 168. The larger cog should make the longer downhills more relaxed.

I like hills, and prefer to do them with butt back and in the saddle. There is one 30 minute hill though with sections of fairly steep grade that I have to ride 2 hours to get to on the return. When I used to do it on a geared, I would gear down to my lowest gear (42/19), which I think is around 58 gear inches. My challenge last year was to try and do it comfortably on the fixed with the 19 cog, which was around 71 inches-I think. I didn't want to go below 42 cadence, and have yet to make that work. To do it, I think I would have to be off saddle most of the 30 minutes. To do this, I will have to shed about 15 lbs. I know however that the 17 will make it almost impossible. Thanks for the insight.

It sounds like Barnaby has more challenging terrain than I do.
I have at the worst a 500' gain in 7.5 miles.

Like I said earlier, I ride with a 48X16, which gives me an 81" gear.
On the other side of the hub I have an 18 tooth cog, which would give me a 72" gear.
I suspect as the years march on 72" will become my main gear and I will put a 69" gear on the other side.
I hope I can hold it at 69".

Hello Moonshot, Fixed gears are a wondeful tool for getting good condition and quickly too, however I have given up the use of such, because of a broken ankle some forty seven years ago, I now get a real wakeup call from the arthritis when I use a fixed gear. Makes walking the following day a bit painful, old age is catching up unfortunately.

I always rode a 76 on the road, it makes you spin a bit going down hills but if you apply a bit of brake you can keep it under control, riding longer distances are what fixed gears are for, it makes life a bit easier, well that's my opinion anyway.

Hello.....yes, my fixie is so rock on solid it is indeed a joy to ride....of course the tricked 80's SR frame helps too. I can't be the only fixed gear in Northern California who's pushing 60.......there's a lot of folks here in the San Joaquin Valley (Stockton) and I can't be the only one.

A thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=71406) over on the SS/Fixed Gear forum is gathering information about fixed gear riders.

No one over 50 has replied to that thread that I can see. Any fixed gear riders out here in 50+?

I am 55 and ride a fixie. I have owned several track bikes over the years but just reciently started riding fixed again. I ride a 44 X 17.....hmmm must be about 70gi.

Feel so ignorant. What is a fixed-gear bike?

Feel so ignorant. What is a fixed-gear bike?

Not to be confused with a single-speed bicycle, a fixed gear bike has only one gear ratio, that is one chainring (the one between the pedals) and one cog (the gear on the back wheel). A single speed meets that criteria also, but a fixed-gear bike differs from a single-speed in that the former has no freewheel (the thing that clicks when the bicycle is in motion, but the pedals are not)! Yep, on a fixie whenever the bike is moving the pedals are turning, also. This setup makes for a very different experience than on a standard multi-speed bicycle. Among other things, you can actually brake with your legs. Also, you have to pedal both up and down hills.

Jim

fixed gear ?s.Im thinking off building up a fixed gear bike , i would use a 52 or 42 on the front but what would be the most suitable size cog on the back , i do most riding on the 52x 20 set up on the road bike but i would need to go lower than that ?? Peddles: I use spd,s on my mtb & road bike but would they be suitable for a fixed ? or would it be safer to start off riding a fixed with toe clips till the skill level rises?
thanks