Sincitycycler

Thinking of getting a used one for the hell of it. I heard that single speeds are great for building power and spin technique.

Anybody own one? I guess bike messengers like fixies coz they are low maintenance?

What are the benefits besides lack of mechanical things that can go wrong?

kevinmcdade

I own a 2005 Bianchi Pista and I just bought a KHS Flite 100 to replace it (the Pista is too small). I ride my fixie because 1.) it a blast to ride 2.) it strengthens my legs 3.) it forces me to pedal in circles 4.) very low maintenance

I probably put equal amount of miles on my fixie as I put on my road bike. As soon as I unbox and put my new one together I will probably ride my fixie even more. Give one a try before you buy one. It's not for everyone. Warning -- it is very addicting!!!

MacMan

I'm gonna get one of these this year ... but that's because I want to try the track:

furiousferret

I'd get one just for my trainer, if I had the money to blow on one. I also think if someone has the leg strength and ride primarily flat areas it would be okay to ride.

fogrider

when I ride my track bike, I always get a great workout and learn something new about riding. there is no resting for the legs, every minute on the bike, the legs are spinning. on the decents, the rider WILL learn to spin. after I got used to the spinning, the learning began. learn to relax and spin, learn to power up and spin, learn to power spin up a hill...learn to slow yourself down without grabbing the brakes.

'nother

I'd certainly consider getting one. I followed a fixie rider up a local 6 mile/2,000 foot grade once which changed my thinking about them being most useful in the flats. The guy was *flying*, and strong as hell. I could use me some o' dat!

kevinmcdade

I have mine geared with a 46/18 combo and ride my same route that I ride my geared bike on. It makes it very challenging on some of the hills and I am usually sore for days after doing it but it is well worth it. While riding a fixie you not only have to work to get up hills, you have to work to to slow down and to control speed on down hills. Mine is equipped with a front brake but I like the challenge of controlling speed by using my legs.

Sincitycycler

Is is wise to get short track style cranks to help with acceleration and spin- maybe something in the range of 165-170mm at the most?

MacMan

I hate you. What I wouldn't give for just ONE nice long hill like that around here. Just one. I gotta move ...

kevinmcdade

I highly suggest 165 or 170 cranks not only for spin up but for clearance. Since you CAN NOT stop pedaling you want as much clearance as possible for turns. You don't want your cranks to hit the ground when you turn. If a situation arises that causes you to turn quicker and sharper than anticipated, you will need that clearance.

'nother

Those freeway overpasses don't cut it, huh? I feel for ya man. I have a couple of co-workers who are also cyclists that live in your area (Elk Grove Village), did a ride with them once. Pretty darn flat, indeed. A fixie would be great there

jslopez

I have a bianchi pista (05 and chrome). Why I got it?

1) I bike to work and really didn't feel like risking my road bike versus everyday traffic.
2) low price point so if anything happens I won't break the bank
3) Low maintenance
4) You really feel connected to the bike. hence you are "forced" to improve stuff like spin, pedal technique and cornering.
5) Small bumps become hills
6) It's a better workout.
7) the pista gets more compliments than the other bike

Zurich

I have a single speed and ride it a ton. I live in Chicago, so it's easier. Raced track in college and have had some good times on a fixed gear bike...

nitropowered

My built up IRO Mark V fixie has made my riding better. It has strengthened my legs and has helped my spinning technique. One major thing that it has helped me is getting out of the saddle and back in without stopping pedaling. Its really not a big deal if you always ride solo, but if you ride in a pace line, it'll help a lot. I always find myself almost running into the guy in front when he stops pedaling to get out of the saddle.

Brycycle

I bought an NOS steel centurion frame that was built-up fixie when I moved from the rockie mountains (bye, bye litespeed) to Toronto. I had a blast on it ripping around downtown. I went w/ shorter crank arms as my commute was very stop and go and a smaller than usual frame for fast cornering, etc. I didn't know what i had until older couriers would pull up to comment on the frame. Now that I'm back in the mountains/praries, it's back to a geared bike.

Long story...but I guess my point is, fixies are great for the right context and that bianchi looks like a lot of fun, what's the price?

richardmasoner

My fixed gear is an old steel Centurion that I converted. I did it because I like the frame but I didn't want to put any money into upgrading the components on this ancient bike.

Besides the reasons already stated, riding fixed is just stupid fun. I have my quadruple-ring 12-cog 48-speed unobtanium frame light bike for the group rides, but riding the fixed reminds me of the carefree simple fun that bike riding should be all about.

cmcenroe

I have one. Check out IRO at www.irocycle.com. The owner, Tony, is excellent to work with, and his bikes are pretty nice.

I ride it around town, no serious road riding on it. I have very fashionable Nitto track bars on it and no hoods. Climbing (at this point) is more or less out of the question

You must pedal, you must spin, you must be careful to stop correctly, etc. There is a lot to learn and a LOT of fun to be had.

bitingduck

I own three fixed gear bikes (only 2 really operable, one of which is in pieces and being reassembled) because I'm addicted to track racing. It's *way* fun.

I've never really used one on the road because I live in some steep hills, but when I'm in flatland I get annoyed by having a freewheel. You have a lot finer control over your speed with a fixed gear, and more feedback from the bike.

If you race, one of the things a fixed gear does for you is teach you to spin up fast in a smaller gear. It's way easier on your legs to accelerate in a smaller gear than a big one.

And MacMan - if you want long climbs, SoCal is great-- you can go and climb steadily for 20+miles around here pretty easily (sometimes with tiny downhills for a little break).

Sprocket Man

I just redid one of my old bikes into a fixie:



It has 53-18 gearing and I live in a hilly area, so it's a pretty tough workout to ride it (but very fun at the same time). It's a conversion - used to be a regular road bike, then I started to used it on my trainer, then it was neglected for many years. When I thought about creating a fixie, I took a look at this frame again and saw the horizontal drop outs. Also, it came with Sugino 165mm cranks. Although the picture shows pedals with straps, just this weekend I put on some clipless/platform pedals that work great. Riding this bike was the first time I had ridden a steel frame in about 7 years. This may end up being my main bike.

Sheldon Brown has a couple of pages on his website devoted to fixies. If you haven't read it already, check it out. It was an invaluable resource for inspiring me to make the conversion.

giantcfr1

I want one because I go out to the Keirin track and have to use my road bike. I see what I am missing out on and want to join in the fun. Also I see the size of the legs on those Keirin riders and hope that one day my "lucky legs" will bulk up a bit.
A side note: IMO the Keirin Style Bikes look so clean compared to a road bike.
NJS all the way:

Steve.

mrballistic

same as everyone else has said --

1. i use my fixie as a commuter, as it's the only bike i have that i can reasonably lock up.
2. it's much more fun to ride in traffic, as i'm completely connected to the drivetrain.
3. it's helped my leg strength, and gives me something to ride when i go out with more casual bikers.
4. it's a blast to do hillwork with.

i'd say that it took me almost 2 weeks to get totally comfy on it, but i pretty much only rode it from september onwards (i just started back on my geared bike).

a few things helped:

1. i replaced the pedals and got a pair of crank bros candys -- so now all of my bikes have the same system.
2. i replaced the front fork and got a carbon one. that smoothed out the ride (the pista is a bit harsh)
3. i replaced the wheels and got a set built with aeroheads and phil hubs. that's total overkill -- but the stock ones aren't all that great. now i have bulletproof wheels.
4. i replaced the headset and got a king one -- mostly because i was replacing the fork anyway, and i dig king headsets.

remember to get a front brake for it. riding fixed brakeless is a game for 20 yo messengers with a deathwish, but not so much for me. plus, it helps on longer rides, when your legs start to cramp up (anything over about 50 miles is a bit much for my pista/legs).

go get it. they're super fun.

BikeGarage

I have a road bike that "happened to be fixed". It's a older Schwinn conversion. Lots of fun to ride. I built it just to try fixed gear and ended up riding it more than any of my other bikes last year. I was able to do most of my usual ride on it, including climbs. It seems to make me ride smoother, especially getting in and out of the saddle. Climbing and then descending with no brakes is a good strength training. I have brakes on anyway...

EURO

For the most part, fixies are just a pose machine. It's high fashion now. I know loads of guys who don't have any real interest in cycling, and who are buying or building fixies. The bike goes really well with their record collection and wardrobe.


Riding in a big gear gives you power, wether you can change that gear or not. The spinning/better pedal stroke thing is a myth.

I commuted on a fixie for a year, and I got rid of it because I'd rather have a geared winter bike for training. I'd consider buying one again if I had the space to keep it in. They are fun.

I think most people like fixies because they look cool.

mirona

If I got a fixie then I would also have to go out and get vintage shoes, tight jeans, a studded belt, obscure artist hoodie... I can't afford a new wardrobe *

With that said, I think I might convert my Peugeot over to a fixed gear for commuting.













* It's a joke, don't cry.

joetronic

I have a Fuji Track. It was a gift, and just got it Friday. I have ridden it a few times, and love it. I used to have a converted no name fixie, and used it as my townie. The Fuji track will probably be the same.