Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

What makes you do it?

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

What makes you do it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-16-14, 08:20 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Mr.McBeardson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Sometimes Snowy Place
Posts: 28

Bikes: 70's Schwinn Suburban, 70's Schwinn Continental

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
What makes you do it?

Just curious, what makes you guys and gals ride singlespeed and or fixed gear?
Mr.McBeardson is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:30 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
murrellington's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 462
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The reason I started riding single speed: because it was cheaper than geared bikes. I also like the cleaner look because they are more simple. The reason I switch from ss to fixed: I wanted a change and everyone says it's such a good experience riding fixed. And it's true I love it.

Also, riding single speed and fixed has strengthened my legs a lot. I'm a fit guy and I work out upper and lower body, but nothing got my legs bigger and more toned than riding my ss and fg.
murrellington is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:33 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
ISPringle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 72

Bikes: Trek MTB, Fit Bike Co. Mac 3, Shogun 100

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It was the best bike on Craigslist for the price.

That being said, I'd have it no other way now that I am riding ss. It's simple, there is no need to think or judge terrain, if you want to go faster you spin faster and if you want to go up a hill you push harder.
ISPringle is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:34 AM
  #4  
I'm usually cranky
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 397
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Mostly because I hate working on derailleurs. Having ss/fg allows me to easily do all my maintenance myself.
jhess74 is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:41 AM
  #5  
Uninformed Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Union County, NJ
Posts: 1,117

Bikes: Dolan Pre Cursa, Cannondale R400

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It's the only bike I own. It's also fun.
Jared. is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:41 AM
  #6  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,669

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Heard so much about the "zen" thing I just had to try it... I totally get the feeling of total control over the bike now and am in love with fixed gear.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 08:45 AM
  #7  
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 48
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
For me, the initial attraction was low maintenance. I was tired of having my multi-speed bikes making clicking/clacking sounds and chains getting stuck between gears. I'm mechanically inept, so it would always mean a trip down to the bike shop to repair it or I would have to live with it. Now that I've been riding a single speed I like the workout my legs get.
Mr_Pacman is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 10:11 AM
  #8  
Not actually Tmonk
 
TMonk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 14,099

Bikes: road, track, mtb

Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2617 Post(s)
Liked 3,129 Times in 1,645 Posts
i like the feel
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
TMonk is online now  
Old 07-16-14, 10:20 AM
  #9  
Fresh Garbage
 
hairnet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 13,190

Bikes: N+1

Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 352 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times in 18 Posts
i leik beiks
hairnet is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 10:22 AM
  #10  
It's MY mountain
 
DiabloScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,001

Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek

Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4335 Post(s)
Liked 2,977 Times in 1,614 Posts
I tried it, I liked it, I kept doing it.
DiabloScott is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 10:34 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 518
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 28 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by DiabloScott
I tried it, I liked it, I kept doing it.
bowzette is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 10:59 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
50voltphantom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SD
Posts: 2,745

Bikes: Handsome Fredward, Trek 1.1

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 481 Post(s)
Liked 131 Times in 47 Posts
Rode nothing but BMX up to and including college. SS is all I knew and I know I like it. When the time came to get a bike again, it was a no-brainer.
50voltphantom is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 11:10 AM
  #13  
Your cog is slipping.
 
Scrodzilla's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 640 Post(s)
Liked 100 Times in 58 Posts
I like get a new rear tire every two weeks and run red lights.
Scrodzilla is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 11:11 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Huffandstuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,776
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by jhess74
Mostly because I hate working on derailleurs. Having ss/fg allows me to easily do all my maintenance myself.
Yup, derailleurs are the worst. Plus, it's fun to ride fixed.
Huffandstuff is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 11:51 AM
  #15  
t x
Senior Member
 
t x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 205

Bikes: Windsor The Hour Plus, 2014 Novara Verita, Windsor Oxford

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
I started riding SS because I was looking for an inexpensive steel bike and I live in a mostly flat area (also derailleurs are annoying.) Riding fixed wasn't intentional, I figured I might as well try it out since there was already a fixed cog on the bike. Once I tried it I was hooked.
t x is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 12:03 PM
  #16  
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3

Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Giant Reign

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
cheap, not too heavy, looks nice, easy to maintain, but i have to admit i miss having gears at time. maybe a cyclocross for me if this doesn't work out after 1k miles
RE1GN is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 12:37 PM
  #17  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: West Hanover Township, PA
Posts: 9

Bikes: Kubuki (fg), Motobacne Nomad 2 (3-spd), among others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
In addition to some of the reasons already mentioned, I ride fixed for the reaction form my non-biking friends.
Willyk57 is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 12:46 PM
  #18  
~>~
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: TX Hill Country
Posts: 5,931
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1112 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 119 Posts
Originally Posted by Mr.McBeardson
Just curious, what makes you guys and gals ride singlespeed and or fixed gear?
Tradition.
My 1st coach had us convert to FG for winter training on the road >40 years ago, kept at it ever since.

-Bandera
Bandera is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 02:20 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I like the simplicity and feel. It's also made me more efficient with my pedal strokes.
nitewing117 is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 02:22 PM
  #20  
THE STUFFED
 
Leukybear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,671

Bikes: R. Sachs Road; EAI Bareknuckle; S-Works Enduro

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 20 Times in 17 Posts
I got tired of other people banging up my derailleurs in racks.
Leukybear is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 02:45 PM
  #21  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times in 1,577 Posts
Peer pressure.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 02:54 PM
  #22  
Brown Jersey Winner
 
Mumonkan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Bad Woods.
Posts: 8,797
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 243 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 13 Posts
the voices in my head.
Mumonkan is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 03:11 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Dixie Gentleman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dirty Souf
Posts: 244

Bikes: Vigorelli

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It's the hip thing to do.
Dixie Gentleman is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 03:29 PM
  #24  
bill nyecycles
 
the sci guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times in 190 Posts
__________________
Twitter@theSurlyBiker
Instagram @yankee.velo.foxtrot
the sci guy is offline  
Old 07-16-14, 03:31 PM
  #25  
Veteran Racer
 
TejanoTrackie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Posts: 11,757

Bikes: 32 frames + 80 wheels

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1331 Post(s)
Liked 764 Times in 431 Posts
Originally Posted by Bandera
Tradition.
My 1st coach had us convert to FG for winter training on the road >40 years ago, kept at it ever since.
Me too, although you failed to point out that we rode much lower gearing back then, typically low 60s, unlike the macho fixters of today.

Also, I raced track, which of course mandated riding a fg track bike w/o brakes.

Only recently have I gotten into riding a fg regularly on the road with higher gearing.

Today, I put in 20 moderately hilly miles on my Wabi Scandium Lightning, which like most modern fg bikes is designed specifically for road use.
__________________
What, Me Worry? - Alfred E. Neuman

Originally Posted by Dcv
I'd like to think i have as much money as brains.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the tunnel keeps getting longer - me
TejanoTrackie is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.