naisme

Tonight I was out on my fixie. We had gone for this long commute tonight, in a huge storm, where there was so much water the manhole covers were boiling with the water under the street. It was a cool ride.

But the weird thing has been my feelings for the fixie. It is an old Schwinn steel "World." I've given it new life from taking it off the dump pile, and putting new wheels, new BB and the Surly flip/flop hub. It is almost like the bike is grateful for being given a new lease on life. It isn't a pretty bike, but I have a strong love for this bike. I feel almost as if there is an understanding between the bike and myself. I can't explain it.

I was told that there would be a difference in riding fixed gear bikes, that I'd realize more about bikes, the road, the ride, my stroke, control... etc... They didn't tell me I'd feel the bike was talking to me.

There are things about this bike that I have noticed that aren't there on my commuter, or my road bike, or even my MTB. There's the turn of the drops, the way the paint is thin in places, and the name wearing off. Okay, then there is the way it preforms on the streets, the way it seems to want to run hard and take me with it. And when I rein it back in it responds to my desires without a problem. It has yet to complain or whine, or clunk, or develop some ailment that needs attention, loose spokes, a noticeable tick as the chain runs its course. It sits in the corner of my bedroom, or office, waiting for the next ride.

I think of this bike when I'm on my other bikes. Like out on the road bike I realize how easy the ride has been, I ask myself why I didn't choose the fixie. On the commuter I often think that what ever it is I have in the panniers would fit in the messenger bag, so why aren't I on the fixie. And the other day when I was at the LBS and one of the mech dudes was bragging on his single speed(free wheel, not a fixed gear) I had to brag on my fixie.

Okay, this is a love affair with a bike. I know there are those of you out there who can relate, even if your affair isn't with a fixed gear. What is your affair like? Is it thinking of riding all the time? Is it thinking about buying something special for your bike, a new chain, BB, wheel set, bar tape, blinkie?

My friends are tired of hearing about this bike.

riderx

My love affair is with single speeds, both freewheel and fixed. I have 4 bikes in the stable right now: 2 single speeds, 1 fixed gear and 1 geared. The geared bike would be considered by most to be my best bike - the best frame and overall best components compared to the other bikes, but it gets the least use - in fact, it is rarely used anymore. The fixed gear holds a special place. The basis of it is built from a frame salvage from a police auction for $2, an old steel lugged Fuji roadbike, restored through lots of elbow grease.

A good bike feels like an extension of your body when riding it. Being clipped in to a fixed gear takes this to the next level. Viva la fixed!

velocipedio

I love all my bikes... but when I come back from a ride on my cyclocross bike, covered in mud and slime, I invariably find myself saying -- out loud, no less -- "man, I love this bike!"

I must've been Belgian in a past life.