Fixed-gear road bike dangerous?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 16
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Fixed-gear road bike dangerous?
I was thinking about converting one of my old road bikes to a fixed gear. I went down to the local bike shop to check out the prices for the parts and the dude in there tells me i shouldn't ride a fixed gear on the road as its very dangerous. Now i've never been on a fixed gear bike before so i was just wondering if this guy is right? Any help would be appreciated!
#2
Grumpy Old Bugga
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Posts: 4,229
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
6 Posts
Oh dear, where's my popcorn, this thread'll be a beaut.
Basically, your bike shop dude is WRONG! Fixed gear bikes are no more dangerous than any other bike.
Some people ride without brakes fitted and many of us think that increases their level of danger, however the fixed gear means that you can still control your speed and stop your bike.
On a loose/slippery surface, fixed gear bikes provide far more control over your bike than anything with a freewheel - in that respect, they are safer, quite a bit safer in some situations.
The big thing about fixed is that it's a completely different skill set to any bike with a freewheel - they're worth exploring for that reason alone. Convert it. You may not love it, you may become hooked, but you will increase your well of cycling skill and knowledge. It's worth it mate.
Richard
Basically, your bike shop dude is WRONG! Fixed gear bikes are no more dangerous than any other bike.
Some people ride without brakes fitted and many of us think that increases their level of danger, however the fixed gear means that you can still control your speed and stop your bike.
On a loose/slippery surface, fixed gear bikes provide far more control over your bike than anything with a freewheel - in that respect, they are safer, quite a bit safer in some situations.
The big thing about fixed is that it's a completely different skill set to any bike with a freewheel - they're worth exploring for that reason alone. Convert it. You may not love it, you may become hooked, but you will increase your well of cycling skill and knowledge. It's worth it mate.
Richard
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Posts: 1,248
Bikes: Pake track, Soma DoubleCross, LeMond Etape, Maruishi RoadAce 303
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am guessing that the guy thought that you were going to ride brakeless. And they sound like the kind of person who likes to tell people what to do.
#5
sucker for lugs
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 364
Bikes: Shogun 800 (had to cull the herd)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
just practice in the parking lot before you go on the road, it's hard to turn off the coasting instinct and you don't want to get pitched over the handlebars...
#8
Pants are for suckaz
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm having a hard time believing this is for real....?
Did the mechanic mention any specific reasons it was "very dangerous"? I mean riding a road bike at all is dangerous unless you live on an island with no car traffic, and even then you can still wipe out due to operating a vehicle with contact patches about the size of 1/2 a postage stamp.
The only real dangers of FG riding are:
• If you don't run a brake and or foot retention you'll probably die.
• If you practice the mad skidz too much you can hurt your knees.
• You'll likely start shopping exclusively at thrift stores, listening to bands no one else has ever heard of, and generally adopting the hipster lifestyle.
Did the mechanic mention any specific reasons it was "very dangerous"? I mean riding a road bike at all is dangerous unless you live on an island with no car traffic, and even then you can still wipe out due to operating a vehicle with contact patches about the size of 1/2 a postage stamp.
The only real dangers of FG riding are:
• If you don't run a brake and or foot retention you'll probably die.
• If you practice the mad skidz too much you can hurt your knees.
• You'll likely start shopping exclusively at thrift stores, listening to bands no one else has ever heard of, and generally adopting the hipster lifestyle.
#9
one life on two wheels
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Posts: 2,552
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 18 Times
in
15 Posts
The guy at your LBS meant it was dangerous to his buisness. Shops that don't cater to the fixed gear riders needs want nothing to do with them. He probably was mad that you weren't walking out with a $2,000 Specialized & wanted to discourage you.
If you use a brake, they are no more dangerous than any other bike
If you use a brake, they are no more dangerous than any other bike
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 372
Bikes: Tease Fixed Gear, Schwinn World Traveler 72, 60's Hawthorne
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Were you trying to use your old road hub add a track cog and put on a BB lockring? Well if you are this can be dangerous. My winter tank is this way, it works, but I know it's a little dangerous. On Sheldon's sight they walk you through this. Basically, bike shop people like to tell me my stuff is dangerous all the time... you know what I tell them "don't worry it's just an art piece that I'm going to hang on the wall" As long as the component you are talking about is sort of flashy (deep vs) then they leave you alone.
#11
out of shape
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: va
Posts: 1,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you start a conversion, finish it through. Replace the parts that need to be replaced and don't skimp out. A customer walked in the other day with a conversion piece that had a folded chainring from keeping the manufacturer's equipment. I'm not exactly sure how he got away from that one alive but serves as a learning tool
so there is a margin of danger, largely due to negligence, that is directly related to fixed gear right now.
#12
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,391
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Oh dear, where's my popcorn, this thread'll be a beaut.
Basically, your bike shop dude is WRONG! Fixed gear bikes are no more dangerous than any other bike.
Some people ride without brakes fitted and many of us think that increases their level of danger, however the fixed gear means that you can still control your speed and stop your bike.
Basically, your bike shop dude is WRONG! Fixed gear bikes are no more dangerous than any other bike.
Some people ride without brakes fitted and many of us think that increases their level of danger, however the fixed gear means that you can still control your speed and stop your bike.
On a loose/slippery surface, fixed gear bikes provide far more control over your bike than anything with a freewheel - in that respect, they are safer, quite a bit safer in some situations.
The big thing about fixed is that it's a completely different skill set to any bike with a freewheel - they're worth exploring for that reason alone. Convert it. You may not love it, you may become hooked, but you will increase your well of cycling skill and knowledge. It's worth it mate.
Richard
#15
Lifer
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 250
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Others have hinted at this, but it is worth mentioning explicitly. Riding fixed is like relearning how to ride. After riding a single speed for a few years I switched to riding fixed and could not believe how different it felt. For me, that's the fun part, but you will want to take things slow until your body has developed a new set of instincts.
In terms of safety, it's about like riding SS, but you have better control in bad weather. Some folks only ride fixed on a snow bike. You can find plenty of pix of such bikes in this forum and the commuter one.
In terms of safety, it's about like riding SS, but you have better control in bad weather. Some folks only ride fixed on a snow bike. You can find plenty of pix of such bikes in this forum and the commuter one.
#17
hello
Riding fixed is like relearning how to ride. After riding a single speed for a few years I switched to riding fixed and could not believe how different it felt. For me, that's the fun part, but you will want to take things slow until your body has developed a new set of instincts.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Posts: 1,248
Bikes: Pake track, Soma DoubleCross, LeMond Etape, Maruishi RoadAce 303
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Riding fixed on the road is not dangerous until you ask a LBS to give you a free fit so that you can buy a bike elsewhere. You might get a spanner wrench thrown at you.
#20
Pants are for suckaz
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mt. Airy, MD
Posts: 2,578
Bikes: Hardtail MTB, Fixed gear, and Commuter bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
But a FG fitted with brakes will allow a better road feel [and therefore will be safer to ride] in less-than-ideal riding conditions than any freewheeling bike. europa never said anything about brakes; you were the one who qualified the comment with "brakeless".
#21
abstract sentence maker
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: AZ
Posts: 81
Bikes: kilo tt (x2) and an old trek 1000 8speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Two things no one has mentioned for some reason. Pedal strike and Toe 'overlap'. Both can be avoided but are new things to people who are new to fixed (maybe not so much the toe overlap, I had this pretty badly on a Trek I used to run.) Just be cognizant of what is going on and where.
#23
rehabilitating
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Posts: 117
Bikes: Bianchi San Jose, BMC Streetfire, Bob Jackson Vigroelli
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#24
:)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: duluth
Posts: 3,391
Bikes: '07 Pista, '09 Fantom Cross Uno, '8? Miyata, '67 Stingray, '0? Zoo mod trials, Tallbike, Chopper, '73 Schwinn Collegiate, '67 Triumph Chopper, '69 CB350, '58 BSA Spitfire, '73 CB450
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just wanted to point that out.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 1,382
Bikes: Mercier Kilo TT Pro, Schwinn Le Tour Conversion, Free Spirit polo beater, Cervelo P2T, aluminum tandem.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Fixed gear is not more dangerous on the road than a 10 speed.
I mean, the only difference is that you can't coast. Coasting is not a safety feature.
IMO, fixed gear bikes are more dangerous only in the sense that you can get clothing (or worse, a finger) stuck in the drive train. But that has nothing to do with riding on the road.
Fixed gear bikes are not more dangerous.
I mean, the only difference is that you can't coast. Coasting is not a safety feature.
IMO, fixed gear bikes are more dangerous only in the sense that you can get clothing (or worse, a finger) stuck in the drive train. But that has nothing to do with riding on the road.
Fixed gear bikes are not more dangerous.