View Poll Results: What to do?
Fixed foreva
9
40.91%
Gear it up, man
13
59.09%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll
Stay fixed or go geared?
09-26-09, 12:56 PM
#1
Gitane Fix(at)ed
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Stay fixed or go geared?
Hello everybody,
I've just managed to strip the fixed side of my rear cheap-ass poorly made Quando flip-flop hub.
I know that I could do very well with a glued cog, but since I'm a perfectionist, I like to keep my bikes in perfect order.
The bike is my precious old french Gitane: nice frame, fits me like a glove, etc. Plus it was my first built from an old and ignored, parts missing, on-the-way-to-landfill bike. I'm using this bike as my main exercise bike: several times per week, 20+ miles per trip, mostly flat, 73 gear inches.
Now, the options are:
- Rebuild the rear wheel with a better hub
- Go geared using an internal gears hub (a standard one, not a fixed one)
What do you recommend?
Thank you
I've just managed to strip the fixed side of my rear cheap-ass poorly made Quando flip-flop hub.
I know that I could do very well with a glued cog, but since I'm a perfectionist, I like to keep my bikes in perfect order.
The bike is my precious old french Gitane: nice frame, fits me like a glove, etc. Plus it was my first built from an old and ignored, parts missing, on-the-way-to-landfill bike. I'm using this bike as my main exercise bike: several times per week, 20+ miles per trip, mostly flat, 73 gear inches.
Now, the options are:
- Rebuild the rear wheel with a better hub
- Go geared using an internal gears hub (a standard one, not a fixed one)
What do you recommend?
Thank you
09-26-09, 01:18 PM
#2
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In town I am able to stay in 46-12 without a problem, but I'm only in town maybe 20% of my riding. So I need gears mot of the time.
If you're able to gear for your area, and like fixed, then you should go fixed.
Ken.
If you're able to gear for your area, and like fixed, then you should go fixed.
Ken.
09-26-09, 01:48 PM
#3
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Geared bike with freewheels were designed as an improvement over the old fixed gear bikes. Take advantage of the improvement. IMHO.
09-26-09, 02:43 PM
#4
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I say keep it simple and stay Fixed. Gears are overrated anyways.
09-26-09, 02:49 PM
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Fun vs. expense. Only you know how much fun fixed vs. geared is for you. Only you know what your budget limitations are.
I'm thinking this is a question that only you can answer.
I'm thinking this is a question that only you can answer.
09-26-09, 03:49 PM
#7
Gitane Fix(at)ed
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That's true. I absolutely like the simplicity and straightforwardness (it's that a word?) of the drivetrain.
If you think about a 1x9 with a RD, thanks for the suggestion, but no. I have enough derailleurs on my bikes as is. I like something simple for burning some calories. Either a SS/FG or an internal geared bike fits the bill.
And I really like to ride fixed.
But I have this itch about internal geared bikes that I need to scratch, you know what I mean.
Thanks all and keep these votes coming. I will bow to the wiseness of this forum and do as it pleases.
09-26-09, 04:26 PM
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Nothing wrong with a Nexus or Rohloff hub. It has the advantages of a derailleurless setup, but allows you a range to make a commute less punishing.
09-26-09, 06:00 PM
#11
Gitane Fix(at)ed
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Nah, not interested.
The old one (Sturmey-Archer ASC) is very rare and expensive and the new one (Sunrace-Sturmey-ARcher S3X) is not available yet (and will cost a lot)
The old one (Sturmey-Archer ASC) is very rare and expensive and the new one (Sunrace-Sturmey-ARcher S3X) is not available yet (and will cost a lot)
09-26-09, 06:05 PM
#12
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+1 for fixies then
Yep, that's right. These are two compelling reasons to go geared, but I kinda like to slow down with my legs. I don't like skidding though.
That's true. I absolutely like the simplicity and straightforwardness (it's that a word?) of the drivetrain.
If you think about a 1x9 with a RD, thanks for the suggestion, but no. I have enough derailleurs on my bikes as is. I like something simple for burning some calories. Either a SS/FG or an internal geared bike fits the bill.
Yep, that's the real question. I've build the fixed gear bike as a way of expressing my mechanical needs and to try some new stuff after reading so many nice things about it on regretted Sheldon Brown site.
And I really like to ride fixed.
But I have this itch about internal geared bikes that I need to scratch, you know what I mean.
Thanks all and keep these votes coming. I will bow to the wiseness of this forum and do as it pleases.
Yep, that's right. These are two compelling reasons to go geared, but I kinda like to slow down with my legs. I don't like skidding though.
That's true. I absolutely like the simplicity and straightforwardness (it's that a word?) of the drivetrain.
If you think about a 1x9 with a RD, thanks for the suggestion, but no. I have enough derailleurs on my bikes as is. I like something simple for burning some calories. Either a SS/FG or an internal geared bike fits the bill.
Yep, that's the real question. I've build the fixed gear bike as a way of expressing my mechanical needs and to try some new stuff after reading so many nice things about it on regretted Sheldon Brown site.
And I really like to ride fixed.
But I have this itch about internal geared bikes that I need to scratch, you know what I mean.
Thanks all and keep these votes coming. I will bow to the wiseness of this forum and do as it pleases.
I got up to 44 the other day on a down hill. 
09-26-09, 06:08 PM
#13
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If you're a flatlander... fixed is fine.
If you're not... it's just plain stupid to have to get off and push your bike up the hills.
Greg
If you're not... it's just plain stupid to have to get off and push your bike up the hills.
Greg
09-26-09, 06:20 PM
#14
Gitane Fix(at)ed
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On my geared road bike, I'm a slow loris downhill, no more than 25+, although I'm perfectly able to go to 40 (for a few sec though) by myself, on flat.
Once, I've used the freewheel side on my fixed bike (with a 18 teeth freewheel, 42 on front) to go up (nasty) and the fixed side (15 teeth) to go downhill (exhausting). At least, I didn't used the brakes downhill and stayed on the bike uphill. It was an interesting experience.
Last edited by DarkCloud; 09-26-09 at 06:25 PM.
09-26-09, 08:20 PM
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Once when I was much younger I did a climb from San Bernardino to Lake Arrowhead, Ca. On the way home I hit just under 55 drafting a station wagon full of kids with noses pressed up against the back window. But after getting older I realized I am not immortal so I do cover the brakes. 
Still on a 15 mile downhill a freewheel can give you a speed ride you can’t get from a fixed gear you rode up the hill in the first place.
Still on a 15 mile downhill a freewheel can give you a speed ride you can’t get from a fixed gear you rode up the hill in the first place.
09-26-09, 10:00 PM
#16
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You like riding fixed. Leave it fixed.
Build up an internal geared bike. Maybe ditch one of your other bikes...
Build up an internal geared bike. Maybe ditch one of your other bikes...
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May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
09-27-09, 07:19 AM
#17
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Great advice. I didn't realize the OP was sort of wanting to keep his bike a fixie. Best of all worlds would be a quality flip-flop hub for the good frame that has the broken hub, and a new frame and build for either an internally geared ride, or a normal geared bike, chainrings, derailleurs, and all.
