CarLo

Last month, I opted to buy a Fixed gear just to see what all the hype was all about. I first rode one and I told myself, I can't see myself riding this forever, It's too dangerous, crazy, etc. But since I bought one, I might as well mess with it.

So the stock gearing was too much for my knees that my knees started to creak just walking. I came to the conclusion that applying extraneous force on my knees when only propelling myself to ride 15mph is not the ideal type of riding for me. I was startled by this and I decided that maybe I should lower my gearing. I learned about the gearing ratio and learned what would be a great combo for my area. So I tried something much lower and such a big difference! I could accelerate faster and stop faster. I feel that with the stock gearing of 48x16 in my area, I couldn't stop when I want to which I considered too dangerous. Now that I ride Fixed everyday, I feel much comfortable with the gears fixed and I don't think much about pedaling continuously for long periods.

I decided to try out my geared bike the other day. I missed it and when I rode it, I didn't feel as agile as I was on the fixed gear. I mean, I use to feel agile on my geared bike and I would go crazy on turns because I could lean much more than my fixed gear. But I found myself cruising and enjoying the scenic route in Monterey, CA. The multiple gears pushed me to ride even lower gearing ratio since I have gears, why not use the appropiate gearing.

After riding my geared bike, I miss riding fixed gear at the end of the day. I love both of them, but I'll ride whichever I feel like riding depending on the mood. But I can see that I would be riding fixed more than geared from now on.

seau grateau

This is natural. I go through phases where I prefer one or the other, and right now I enjoy riding my road bike more. It's more comfortable, the handling is less twitchy, and it's more suited to longish distances and easy cruising. But I know some time in the near future I'll go back to riding fixed more often. It may be kind of lame, but there's something really fun and alluring about shooting down the roads locked into a fast brakeless machine, and fun is really what it's all about. There's nothing worse than riding and not having fun, so ride what you like (safely).

whitey818

I built a fixed gear out of an old road frame just to give it a try to see what all the hype was a few months ago. Enjoyed it so much after spending a day getting used to it that my commuter bike has pretty much been turned back into a mtb. Jumped on my old commuter to go to the store a while back and realized how heavy it was and found coasting to feel very weird. Proper gearing I think is the difference between enjoying fixed and not understanding the fun of it. I put mine together for less than $150 thinking if I like it I will get a track bike, but so far this thing has been bomb proof and probably more suited for my commuting and occasional spirited riding around the park. Will still probably build a bike with proper track like geometry eventually just to have one, but right now my conversion is doing an outstanding job.

RobertFrapples

There is a simple solution to that.

Jaytron

See your doctor about your knee if you have insurance.

All mine told me is when your quads gain strength and are able to hold the kneecap better, the creaking/popping/whatever will go away. Your results may vary.

Scrodzilla

Yup. Hit something.

bmw

Riding fixed is like suntanning: if it does not feel right then don't do it. Sure a tan looks great on some, but not on others. Riding fixed works for many, but not for all - though it does look great: "look No brakes, ma!" ...if riding fixed does not feel right to you: try adjusting your bike and if that fails - suck it up and switch to freewheel (you'll go faster!)

spazzkid

To the OP: This may be off topic, but if you still ever experience knee pains, you should consider re-adjusting your saddle and/or cleat position.

chas58

I have a longer distance road "fixie" and a fast reacting short wheelbase track oriented fixie (among others). Fixies don't have to be track bikes.

My wife says I have too many bikes...

seau grateau

Same here, except my road fixie has 12 variable gear ratios and a freewheel.

Street rider

Never enough. Need moar bieks.

Scrodzilla

That's funny - my bikes say I have too many wives.

Jaytron

Does the "n+1" rule apply to both?

homebrewk

Ha!

KBlas

Woot woot for Monterey!

And +1 to the seat/saddle/cleat combo. But I would also say stem size too.