Touring - Fixed Gear Touring

I have finally made a commitment to doing a 5 day fixed gear tour this summer . I am wondering if there are any other fixed gear tourers here?

I'd love to see your bike loaded and hear about what gearing you went with based on your location/trip. I looked through the "show me your bike" sticky but I did not come across anything fixed.

I am in the market for a dedicated fixed gear touring bike. Right now I am debating on new or a vintage frame build. Both steel frames. There really is nothing marketed as fixed gear touring bikes so a normal road frame with a few comfort mods and panniers will have to do the trick.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments on fixed gear touring would be much appreciated.

Here's your singlespeed/fixed touring bike

http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/simpleone-frameset/50-740

I have singlespeed toured on it's cousin the Quickbeam. Take a look at the various ultralight threads on here to get gear suggestions

http://wheelsofchance.org/england-2009/

A surly cross check could make a nice ssfg touring bike as it allows for fenders, and front (2011 at least) and rear racks, though you might not want to load it down that much if touring fixed. With my touring bike still in transit I have thought about taking off for a camping trip on my fixed gear, but it just doesn't sound that fun to me since I like to be able to take it slow and not work as hard as I would have to if touring fixed.

A few thoughts on gearing. If it were me I would have a flip flop hub with a flat/climbing ratio fixed and somewhere in between or even way higher on the freewheel. Ride flats and climb fixed then flip over and descend freewheel. I'd hate to spin my ass off down a descent that is 5-10 miles long, but that's just me.

I have been riding at 48x16. I just did 115 miles two weeks ago. Took me 12 hours with stops and a huge headwind. I have rode two training rides in the last week at 40 miles each. Since this has been without any packs I know I will have to drop down to a 42 ring fully loaded. I like the idea of two cogs for possible hard climbs and spinning flat distances. Great idea. But I can't go with a free wheel that would be cheating. :)

There was guy that rode a high wheeler on a long tour. Australia and such .

I have finally made a commitment to doing a 5 day fixed gear tour this summer . I am wondering if there are any other fixed gear tourers here?

I'd love to see your bike loaded and hear about what gearing you went with based on your location/trip. I looked through the "show me your bike" sticky but I did not come across anything fixed.

I am in the market for a dedicated fixed gear touring bike. Right now I am debating on new or a vintage frame build. Both steel frames. There really is nothing marketed as fixed gear touring bikes so a normal road frame with a few comfort mods and panniers will have to do the trick.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments on fixed gear touring would be much appreciated.


With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

meh

Different strokes for different folks....

If that's what he wants to do who cares?

meh

Different strokes for different folks....

If that's what he wants to do who cares?
I believe Mr. Cooper is genuinely curious, as am I. I don't really care, but I do have to wonder. One-gear touring sounds like a needless limitation, like hiking in sandals fashioned from rope and cinder blocks.

Well, you'll have to wait for the OP's answer cause as I said before:


With my touring bike still in transit I have thought about taking off for a camping trip on my fixed gear, but it just doesn't sound that fun to me since I like to be able to take it slow and not work as hard as I would have to if touring fixed.

So maybe if it is your only bike you could give it a go, but if you are buying a touring bike why look for a fixed one?

I believe Mr. Cooper is genuinely curious, as am I. I don't really care, but I do have to wonder. One-gear touring sounds like a needless limitation, like hiking in sandals fashioned from rope and cinder blocks.

That would be correct.

Fixed gear touring. Why? That is a good question. I originally started riding a fixed gear for the simplicity of the bike. The bike I currently ride on my 40-100 mile rides actually doesn't have breaks on it either. You would think that might be very dangerous but in fact it is perfect for long rides on designated bike trails. I have no problem slowing down by using leg pressure on the pedals as they continue to move forward. I can guarantee that I am a better biker (control, fitness, balance) due to riding a fixed gear bicycle. You would think that going up hill would be the hardest but actually going down hill is killer since you can't coast and continue to spin. When going downhill fixed with no breaks controlling your speed with your legs gives you one hell of a workout. Your senses are ultra heightened since you would have to avoid anything that might get in your way and not squeeze the breaks to stop.

Now, I might not take a fixed gear to tour the Rockies. You are correct, it would be limiting but it wouldn't be impossible. Keep in mind that the Tour De France was originally raced on fixed gear. Maurice Garin won the tour in 1903 running a 52x19 with no break.

But in the end I think for me it is the challenge of the ride. Riding a 100 miles on a geared bike is easy compared to riding it on a fixed gear. Just think how many times you coast on a geared bike. If your moving on a fixed gear then your legs are working. Riding 300-500 miles fixed over 5-6 days would be a dream come true for me. The physical aspect of it is what really apparels to me I guess.

A surly cross check could make a nice ssfg touring bike as it allows for fenders, and front (2011 at least) and rear racks, though you might not want to load it down that much if touring fixed. With my touring bike still in transit I have thought about taking off for a camping trip on my fixed gear, but it just doesn't sound that fun to me since I like to be able to take it slow and not work as hard as I would have to if touring fixed.

I am looking at a few Surly bikes. The Cross Check could even be geared so it would all me to run fixed but still wimp out and put gears on it at a later date. ;)

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

Because all the kewl kids are biking without brakes and gears nowadays. Remember, its not about how practical it is, but about how much you can brag to your hipster friends and be the uber hipster.

^^
A lot of lame-ass (relatively speaking) people ride FG bikes. I wish I never had to hear this kind of tired complain/joke anymore.

Full-disclosure: I am a lame-ass, though I don't have a fixie

I have finally made a commitment to doing a 5 day fixed gear tour this summer . I am wondering if there are any other fixed gear tourers here?

I'd love to see your bike loaded and hear about what gearing you went with based on your location/trip. I looked through the "show me your bike" sticky but I did not come across anything fixed.

I am in the market for a dedicated fixed gear touring bike. Right now I am debating on new or a vintage frame build. Both steel frames. There really is nothing marketed as fixed gear touring bikes so a normal road frame with a few comfort mods and panniers will have to do the trick.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments on fixed gear touring would be much appreciated.

I've only toured on a derailluer bike, but was just looking at this http://cgi.ebay.com/Specialized-Tricross-Singlecross-XXL-/220778626708?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item33676e7e94 . It's got front/ rear rack braze ons, fender ready.

Because all the kewl kids are biking without brakes and gears nowadays. Remember, its not about how practical it is, but about how much you can brag to your hipster friends and be the uber hipster.
I deleted my first post here because I suspected it would bring out this sort of juvenile rationale. Just so you know, I am in my mid-50s, run brakes, I don't have hipster friends, and I deleted the post about how I have toured on a fixed gear because it obviously was bragging.

Fixed gear touring. Why? That is a good question. I originally started riding a fixed gear for the simplicity of the bike. The bike I currently ride on my 40-100 mile rides actually doesn't have breaks on it either. You would think that might be very dangerous but in fact it is perfect for long rides on designated bike trails. I have no problem slowing down by using leg pressure on the pedals as they continue to move forward. I can guarantee that I am a better biker (control, fitness, balance) due to riding a fixed gear bicycle. You would think that going up hill would be the hardest but actually going down hill is killer since you can't coast and continue to spin. When going downhill fixed with no breaks controlling your speed with your legs gives you one hell of a workout. Your senses are ultra heightened since you would have to avoid anything that might get in your way and not squeeze the breaks to stop.

Now, I might not take a fixed gear to tour the Rockies. You are correct, it would be limiting but it wouldn't be impossible. Keep in mind that the Tour De France was originally raced on fixed gear. Maurice Garin won the tour in 1903 running a 52x19 with no break.

But in the end I think for me it is the challenge of the ride. Riding a 100 miles on a geared bike is easy compared to riding it on a fixed gear. Just think how many times you coast on a geared bike. If your moving on a fixed gear then your legs are working. Riding 300-500 miles fixed over 5-6 days would be a dream come true for me. The physical aspect of it is what really apparels to me I guess.

Riding with no brakes is downright dangerous. Don't kid yourself into thinking you have some superhuman skill, you don't.

Besides track bikes, the ONLY reason people take brakes off a bike is for vanities sake.

With that being said, I love fixed gear bikes, the offer a 'connectivity' to the bike like no other.

What your doing reminds me of a buddy who likes to ride his motorcycle all over the states. He does 10 hr days at 90+ mph. Doesnt have a chance to experience all the cool stuff, BUT, he has a little tick mark next to all the cool places to say he has been. I think your going to miss the true enjoyment out of touring if your doing 100 mile days on a fixie.

But, YMMV, do it and let us know. But put brakes on first for gods sake.

Do you knees a favour and run a dingle cog (http://surlybikes.com/parts/dingle_cog/).Your knees will eventually pay the price from braking and skidding and pushing too high a gear up hills.

Do yourself and everyone else on the road a favour and use a pair of ****ing brakes. A pound of brakes won't make your ride easier, and you can just reserve their use for emergencies, there's nothing stopping you from punishing your knees any time it's safe to stop like that. Having a set of brakes on your bike isn't going to make a 100 mile fixie ride any less of a ride but you will be able to save your skin so you can ride the next day.

I don't think riding a 100 miles on a geared bike is easy (otherwise everyone would be doing it) and I don't think riding a 100 miles on a fixie makes you a better cyclist (or person in general) either, so you'd be wise (IMO) to drop that kind of attitude as well. Like something because you like it, not because you think it makes you better than someone else.

I have about 7 bikes. Only one of them is fixed. One is a SS and the rest are geared. The all serve specific functions. All have breaks other than the fixed gear. So don't get too heated over the topic. This topic was about fixed gear touring not about riding with or without breaks. But I do find it funny how some poeple immediate make judgement about a person by the bike they ride.

@clasher I can guarentee that spending time on a fixed gear bike will make you a better bicyclist. There is no doubt that it would improve your fitness level, balance, and make you stronger. If anything it is a great training tool. But it is unfortunet that you are too blinded by what you think is your typical fixed gear rider. For the record I don't know a single hipster and I am over 40.

But back to the topic, I have decided to get a dedicated touring bike that is not fixed. I may have to leave the fixed gear touring to only 1-2 days trips locally. Pretty excited about the new bike. Should be delivered to LBS this week!

Husar, Even though you bought a geared touring bike, could you mount a triple chainring in front and use the fixed gear in back? I'd have to mount a front brake anyway just to lesson the possibility of a downhill runaway situation with tour weight.

Brad

i have an iro phoenix from jensonusa.com
http://jensonusa.com/store/product/FR263G00-Iro+Phoenix+Ss+Frameset.aspx

i have a 32-22. you can get the 32 square taper crank as a 33 170 or 175
http://store.icyclesusa.com/rpm-10-single-crankset-cy2f-170mm-33t-p36422.aspx

i have my plans here
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/736064-2012-bicycle-camping

Fixed gear touring. Why? But in the end I think for me it is the challenge of the ride. Riding a 100 miles on a geared bike is easy compared to riding it on a fixed gear. Just think how many times you coast on a geared bike. If your moving on a fixed gear then your legs are working. Riding 300-500 miles fixed over 5-6 days would be a dream come true for me. The physical aspect of it is what really apparels to me I guess.

Like Rowan, I am in my mid-fifties as well... I ride a fixed gear as my main commuter. I did Ride the Rockies on it in 2007... including Independence Pass. Why? To be different. I have done long rides geared, and wanted a new challenge. Ride the Rockies is not 'touring' in the sense that I did not carry my gear-- it was trucked from town to town-- I just had to ride... up to 100 miles a day for 7 days. The hardest part was not the uphills (although they were tough)... it was the downhills. That is why I had brakes on the bike-- to slow me down when my leg speed got too fast and I started bouncing on the saddle. I did hit speeds of around 36 MPH-- which on a fixed gear is WAY TOO FAST.
My comment to you-- GO FOR IT. You will enjoy it, you will prove to yourself that you can do it, and don't worry about what others think. One of the best comments I ever got from someone on a bike was when I did the Civil War Century a couple of years ago on the fixed gear, and as I passed someone struggling up a hill, they said to me '...but you don't have any gears!!!'. I just smiled and kept my rythmn--(momentum is your friend... don't slow down for anything on a tough climb because it is so much harder to get started again...)

train safe-

There really is nothing marketed as fixed gear touring bikes...

There might be a reason for this! Good luck!

Marc

Haven't done any fixed touring myself, but you're making me feel more confident about my upcoming trip on a double chainring cross bike.

I agree with two recommendations given so far: Use a flip-flop hub and pack ultralight. Also, I knew I saw a fixie in the touring bike picture thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/69234-Pictures-of-your-loaded-rigs?p=11961511&viewfull=1#post11961511

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a cost issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

Sturmey Archer now makes a three speed fixie hub. I just meet somebody who is really happy with theirs. I hope you plan on using brakes.

Marc

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a cost issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

Did I hit a nerve or something? I am genuinely interested as to why someone would tour
on a fixed gear with no brakes. Does that offend you? Maybe you don't have a rational answer.

I run brakes, so I cannot comment on that, but I have considered touring on a fixie. My daily commuter is a fixed gear. As I got used to the commute I stepped up my exercise level by switching from a 21 speed bike to a single speed to a fixie as I felt my body getting used to the ride. I have a wonderful Panasonic touring bike that I love, but I have been wondering lately if I could do touring distances on my fixed gear, if I could do that it would surely provide a very high level of exercise.

I've seen a guy once attempting to tour (?) on a singlespeed in upstate New York. I was eating pizza next to a window overlooking a train station and saw him leaving the train station, mounting the bike and the first block was a hill, he stalled within seconds. And to make it even funnier, he had one of those huge backpacks with internal support packed to the brim. Talk about top heavy. I don't know how strong one needs to be to be able pedal a loaded singlespeed bike up a hill like that. He tried standing on the pedals and pushing hard but he just was unable to overcome the physics of his setup. He seemed very confused, ended up walking his bike. I mean, a little imagination would save him a lot of misery. Upstate NY isn't a place you would call flat by any stretch of imagination.

It did seem like a self inflicted punishment... or total lack of common sense. I can't even imagine riding a singlespeed bike without any cargo in a hilly area. A fixed singlespeed bike might have a use but majority of people ride it because it's a fad and they don't have the skills to pull it off safely. And I don't even remember how many times I saw fixie riders slam the pavement on the bridge because they couldn't control the bike on the down ramp or hit the ground with a pedal while turning. I owned a freewheeled singlespeed bike once and I didn't like it, it was too limiting in too many ways.

And because TDF was won on singlespeed bikes decades ago it doesn't mean anything. Races were won on bicycles without pneumatic tires too. There is a reason why cycling took off after brakes and derailleurs were introduced.

Please come back when you actually know what you are talking about instead of just giving meaningless anecdotes and personal opinions.


I've seen a guy once attempting to tour (?) on a singlespeed in upstate New York. I was eating pizza next to a window overlooking a train station and saw him leaving the train station, mounting the bike and the first block was a hill, he stalled within seconds. And to make it even funnier, he had one of those huge backpacks with internal support packed to the brim. Talk about top heavy. I don't know how strong one needs to be to be able pedal a loaded singlespeed bike up a hill like that. He tried standing on the pedals and pushing hard but he just was unable to overcome the physics of his setup. He seemed very confused, ended up walking his bike. I mean, a little imagination would save him a lot of misery. Upstate NY isn't a place you would call flat by any stretch of imagination.

It did seem like a self inflicted punishment... or total lack of common sense. I can't even imagine riding a singlespeed bike without any cargo in a hilly area. A fixed singlespeed bike might have a use but majority of people ride it because it's a fad and they don't have the skills to pull it off safely. And I don't even remember how many times I saw fixie riders slam the pavement on the bridge because they couldn't control the bike on the down ramp or hit the ground with a pedal while turning. I owned a freewheeled singlespeed bike once and I didn't like it, it was too limiting in too many ways.

There is a reason why cycling took off after brakes and derailleurs were introduced.

I could do touring distances on my fixed gear, if I could do that it would surely provide a very high level of exercise.

And destroy your knees in the process?

Please come back when you actually know what you are talking about instead of just giving meaningless anecdotes and personal opinions.

Oh, personal opinions are not allowed here? Since when? Did I miss anything? Yeah, I have no clue, sorry to offend, I'll crawl back to my hole now and let your genius shine on these forums.

I just had a quick look at your posts zoltani, they mostly appear to be "meaningless" personal opinions. Why the attack on me?

1) you're anecdote about the guy you saw "touring" on a SS bike is meaningless since we don't know his gearing. Why don't you tell us his ratio and discuss why it was poorly chosen for upstate NY? Otherwise your story means nothing.

2) Please enlighten me of why a ssfg bike is any more inherently unsafe than a geared bike. Saying that a bike is unsafe because you saw a rider crash means nothing also. In that case you could say that riding a full carbon geared bike is unsafe since a racer died recently while riding one. Is it the bike that is unsafe, the conditions, or the rider?

3) Cycling started to take off when the safety bicycle replaced the high wheeler.

Did I hit a nerve or something? I am genuinely interested as to why someone would tour
on a fixed gear with no brakes. Does that offend you? Maybe you don't have a rational answer.

I was pointing out the hypocrisy of criticizing someone for attempting something impractical and pointless (to you) on a forum about traveling and camping by bicycle, something which the majority of people would consider to be impractical, and pointless. If you want to get somewhere fast and with little effort or hardships, consider driving.

I rode the 42 Below vodka tour a few years ago across the US with a guy on a brakeless fixed gear, he was faster than most of the riders there.

1) you're anecdote about the guy you saw "touring" on a SS bike is meaningless since we don't know his gearing. Why don't you tell us his ratio and discuss why it was poorly chosen for upstate NY? Otherwise your story means nothing.

2) Please enlighten me of why a ssfg bike is any more inherently unsafe than a geared bike. Saying that a bike is unsafe because you saw a rider crash means nothing also. In that case you could say that riding a full carbon geared bike is unsafe since a racer died recently while riding one. Is it the bike that is unsafe, the conditions, or the rider?

3) Cycling started to take off when the safety bicycle replaced the high wheeler.Because one of my best and extremely experienced (several 1200k brevets) riding buddies broke his collarbone on a fixie? Fixed gear riding requires completely different emergency reactions that a bike with a freewheel. My friend was catapulted off his bike completely airborne during a traffic difficulty. He said, "Why would one spend decades developing reflexes to prevent accidents, and then throw all those reflexes away by trying to ride fixed?" I've had two very experienced friends injured on fixies, who would not have been injured on freewheel bikes.

I spent one winter leading a SS/FG ride series, just to see what it would do for our fitness. Nada, that's what it did. We all got very good at climbing 10% grades in big gears, and at pulling at 130 rpm, but found we had gained absolutely nothing when we went back to geared bikes. Most modern coaches have come to the same conclusion.

Why tour fixed? Because style = pain. The more pain, the more style. Look at women's shoes. Much maligned Style Man at Bicycling mag once pointed that out, and I've never forgotten it. Of course style is very important. It's one of the ways we define our humanity. No other animal would willingly choose pain.

As far as gearing goes, the average sport rider will do well in a 67" gear. Very strong riders can use larger, up to the 89" gear used by John Cacabelas in breaking the fixie record for S2S. I would suggest reducing one's gear ratio in inches by the formula "weight of current setup including rider/weight of touring setup including rider." That should give a good starting point.

Since we are making fun of anecdotes, here's another one: very near the start of a recent well-attended brevet there was a first hill, which was hit by a mass of riders. Oops, the one fixie rider couldn't pull the hill and dismounted in the middle of the pack. Ooops. Unfortunate to see that. Probably an inexperienced rider who fell for the "fixed is cooler" thing. Didn't see his gearing as I rode by.

Why tour fixed? Because style = pain.



Great post, especially that bit.

Because one of my best and extremely experienced (several 1200k brevets) riding buddies broke his collarbone on a fixie? Fixed gear riding requires completely different emergency reactions that a bike with a freewheel. My friend was catapulted off his bike completely airborne during a traffic difficulty. He said, "Why would one spend decades developing reflexes to prevent accidents, and then throw all those reflexes away by trying to ride fixed?" I've had two very experienced friends injured on fixies, who would not have been injured on freewheel bikes.



Agreed, good post. I still don't understand the first paragraph, though I do run front and rear brakes on my fixed gear. So effectively I have three brakes if you include pedal pacing, resisting or skidding in an emergency (though i tend rely on my brakes).

Again, personally I would not tour on a fixed gear, but have met people going C2C on them, loaded.

I was pointing out the hypocrisy of criticizing someone for attempting something impractical and pointless (to you) on a forum about traveling and camping by bicycle, something which the majority of people would consider to be impractical, and pointless. If you want to get somewhere fast and with little effort or hardships, consider driving.

I rode the 42 Below vodka tour a few years ago across the US with a guy on a brakeless fixed gear, he was faster than most of the riders there.

There was no critisizm, only curiosity.

Never called it 'impractical' or 'pointless'

Never said I wanted to go fast.

If you fixie guys are so tough, then how come you're so thin-skinned?

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

This sounds an awful lot like a criticism to me. And I don't ride a fixed gear, I just get annoyed when posters here poo-poo the aspirations of other tourers.

1) you're anecdote about the guy you saw "touring" on a SS bike is meaningless since we don't know his gearing. Why don't you tell us his ratio and discuss why it was poorly chosen for upstate NY? Otherwise your story means nothing.

2) Please enlighten me of why a ssfg bike is any more inherently unsafe than a geared bike. Saying that a bike is unsafe because you saw a rider crash means nothing also. In that case you could say that riding a full carbon geared bike is unsafe since a racer died recently while riding one. Is it the bike that is unsafe, the conditions, or the rider?

3) Cycling started to take off when the safety bicycle replaced the high wheeler.

1) Are you for real or just trolling? So you think I am unable to make a valid observation? I didn't feel like chasing him with tape measure and calipers, his setup was clearly inadequate to anyone with even basic understanding of cycling. Your "logic" would invalidate most posts here since they're based on observations and opinions.

2) Because you can't coast while making turns, most of fixie crashes I saw in Manhattan happened because their pedals touched the ground while turning. Plus most fixie riders are posers with no skills. Very few riders can actually handle a fixie properly.

3) No, the real boom happened later when brakes and derailleur gears were introduced.

That still doesn't explain your dumb irrational attack (opinions not allowed?!? WTF?) considering your own posts being far less than helpful to anyone.

If you're going to do this, consider a flip flop hub with fixed but different gearing on both sides for really big hills. I was reading "The Lost Cyclist" about Frank Lenz who (almost) circumnavigated the world on bicycle 120 years ago and that's how he did it.

This sounds an awful lot like a criticism to me. And I don't ride a fixed gear, I just get annoyed when posters here poo-poo the aspirations of other tourers.

I just DON"T GET IT. I just want somebody to tell me WHY they do it. It's just that simple. I could give you a dozen reasons why I tour. I don't see what the big deal is.

I tried to provide some information that could be useful to the OP, even though fixed touring is not my thing.


A surly cross check could make a nice ssfg touring bike as it allows for fenders, and front (2011 at least) and rear racks, though you might not want to load it down that much if touring fixed. With my touring bike still in transit I have thought about taking off for a camping trip on my fixed gear, but it just doesn't sound that fun to me since I like to be able to take it slow and not work as hard as I would have to if touring fixed.


A few thoughts on gearing. If it were me I would have a flip flop hub with a flat/climbing ratio fixed and somewhere in between or even way higher on the freewheel. Ride flats and climb fixed then flip over and descend freewheel. I'd hate to spin my ass off down a descent that is 5-10 miles long, but that's just me.



You followed Rowans predictions.


I deleted my first post here because I suspected it would bring out this sort of juvenile rationale. Just so you know, I am in my mid-50s, run brakes, I don't have hipster friends, and I deleted the post about how I have toured on a fixed gear because it obviously was bragging.

With all due respect, why on earth would you want to tour on a fixed gear bike? I just don't get it. It can't be a weight or reliability issue, can it? Bragging rights? To me it just seems like unnessasary self inflicted punishment. Will someone please edify me as to the motive for wanting to do this.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,



And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.



I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I --
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.



- Robert Frost -

2) Because you can't coast while making turns, most of fixie crashes I saw in Manhattan happened because their pedals touched the ground while turning. Plus most fixie riders are posers with no skills. Very few riders can actually handle a fixie properly.


FYI, this issue comes from the cranks being too long and the BB being too low, not from the rider's skill level.

Imho, the reason for touring on a fixed gear would be that you enjoy riding most when on your fixed gear, and you would like to experience the same type of joy in riding while touring. I can't see any reason not to run brake(s), and many reasons to run them -- you don't have to use them unless you want to/need to.

As to anecdotes, any unskilled or incompetent cyclist will ride like a doof and probably crash. Tons of cyclists ride without skills, and crash.

Style is a dumb reason to ride a bike with a fixed wheel. Cornering is easy on a fixed gear.

I have considered touring (lightly-loaded) on a fixed gear. I can't see any real problem if you have a f/f hub with a bailout gear or ss freewheel on the other side.
It will probably be like touring on a bike that doesn't coast or shift. Not that wierd.

-GG

PS-- This guy tours on a fixed gear bike, http://www.carsstink.org/peterson/rando.html. I remember him from another forum, and he seems pretty cool, practical, and not a hipster.

-GG

Husar, Even though you bought a geared touring bike, could you mount a triple chainring in front and use the fixed gear in back? I'd have to mount a front brake anyway just to lesson the possibility of a downhill runaway situation with tour weight.

Brad

Downhill is the hardest part over a long ride. By the 75 mile of century the downhill give a burn like no other. My worst fear is a chain break on a downhill when I am tired. If I do tour fixed I do agree that a front break is critical.

Haven't done any fixed touring myself, but you're making me feel more confident about my upcoming trip on a double chainring cross bike.

I agree with two recommendations given so far: Use a flip-flop hub and pack ultralight. Also, I knew I saw a fixie in the touring bike picture thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/69234-Pictures-of-your-loaded-rigs?p=11961511&viewfull=1#post11961511

The moe I thought about the more I realized a fixed tour for me would have to be ultralight. The rout I would like to do this summer for 4-5 days would allow me to ship things to people I know. If I could make it to the halfway point self supported then I could pickup supplies twice before completing. That is my plan right now. Also, using my existing fixed gear bicycle. So I went a head and picked up a Surly LHT fully geared for more touring this summer.