Fixed Gear commuters show'n'tell
 

It seems like there are a ton of fixed gear commuters on the forum. So, lets share our rides! Here's mine all loaded down from an overnighter at the office. More pix in my signature. Its at 62" or so with my studded nokians on it in this pic. It was a beast all loaded down like that, but it was fun to ride.

What made you all decide to ride fixed for a commuter?

For me it was the simplicity and durability, and the fact that I was getting VERY sick of shifting.

Anyhow here's the cheesy phone pic of my bike all loaded down:

Here's the univega (the blue one in case you can't see) I've been comuting on all winter. Mostly ran 46x16 all winter but I just flipped the wheel to the 17.

And the raleigh we just built for my girlfriend. She's just getting into it but already loves the bike.

Where I live, it's flat as can be, so there's little need for multiple gears. Aside from that, I don't like derailleurs. Dished wheels bother me. And don't get me started on coasting!

See pics linked to in signature.

Nice lugs spider-man! I haven't got pics of my Rob Roy yet cuz I don't have a digital camera. Just picture a blue Rob Roy w/ a honeycolored Brooks B17 and blue deep v's.

here's my daily rider. 52x20 nishiki conversion done by jon grinder @ http://grinderbikes.com .. since I got it last October i replaced the 27" 18-tooth suicide hub with a IRO fixed/fixed wheelset laced to velocity aerohead..running 28mm conti top touring 2000 tires. sks fenders to match the retro-chrome thing. i love not having to clean the derailleur every other week to keep it running nicely, and its a blast to ride.

err.. dont have any good pics actually. here's an old one , i'll snap some tomorrow and update.

http://explosive.net/albums/biking/0..._002.sized.jpg

http://tomtheisen.com/images/P1230236-640.jpg

2006 Raleigh Rush Hour with Soma Wheels and a new fork and bars courtesy inattentive driver's insurance. 48x15. 12w halogen cygolite.

What would Ralph Nader say about that unsafe-at-any-speed, fixed gear, exposed gear teeth/direct drive chain mechanism?

Here's how I've been running around lately. Work is only 1/2 mile away so I use this for errands and some nice rides in addition to getting to work some of the time. (I walk other times.) I put it together mainly for fun ... but it's so nice to ride that I keep picking it for trips. The handlebar bag holds a few things and then I just use a messenger bag if I need more.

I ride a 2006 Fuji track bike, don't have pictures yet. The only stock parts are frame and fork I sold all the other parts with my old conversion frame. I am running a 45/16 and a 14t cog on the other side of my hub if Im feeling fast. I have nitto horns RB 009s, nitto drops B123's chrome 39 cm, nitto road bars w/ cloth tape, and risers with Ourys that I switch up depending on the mood. I run 32 spoke wheels, nashbar hub in the back, schwinn panther sealed high flange in the front, no name semi aero all black rims. I have Sugino 75 cranks with a 45t ring and mks track pedals the cheaper ones with metal clips and leather straps. Oh and a shimano STX headset, sealed for under 20 bucks aint bad. I use a Jandd messenger bag, Iniki or Andrew depending on what I need to carry. I commute a mile each way to teaching, and then 15 miles each way to the bikeshop over the summer and the camp I work at. I also use the bike for errands.

I've been riding this to work for a couple weeks now. It's so flat in Sacramento that I realized I was riding to work and back in pretty much one gear anyway. This is a converted 1988 Trek 660. 42/16 gearing. I got the frame second hand and bought a new rear wheel. Pretty much everything else is from the spareparts bin. I'm especially proud of the mismatched bartape. It really says "cheap bastard," don't you think?

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18...ek660fixed.jpg

Right now, "Old Blue" sports fenders and a Cygo-lite. It's an ideal commuter for me: high quality, low cost, low maintenance, low theft attractiveness.

I roll 44x17 with this............

Fixed has re-invigorated my riding. I feel like I did back in '68 when I
came down and saw my blue Stingray under the Christmas tree :D

Damn you, damn you all...I've never thought myself as being subject to peer pressure, but everyone singing about their love of fixed gear bikes has me plotting a new project.

I admit with only a 5 mile commute I am usually thinking of ways to make it harder rather than easier. Maybe this is the next level in this masochistic pursuit.

^^^^ There lies a cunundrum, ergo :roflmao: !!
Making it harder will actually make it easier ! :eek:
When you get your gearing sorted it will actually become .....easier.
Cant explain it but you will see :D

Do you guys have "track" hubs, or just use loctite on a freewheel hub?

^^^^I think what you are describing is a suicide hub.
That name alone sort of sums up most peoples thoughts on
loctiting :eek:

you might want to go the cheepo route to see if you like it
or not....here are two threads to start you off.
Deft use of the 'search' function on the Fixed/SS forum will provide you
with anything you need to know !!!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=168778

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=hipster

hahahaha, my evil plan is working! :p

The *right* way to do it is to get a specific hub. They come in all sizes from track width (120mm) to the one I have, which is for mountain bikes (different chainline) at 135mm.

Quick and easy solution - tie bricks to your pedals, strap a cinder block to the handlebars, and adjust the rim brakes so that they always rub the wheel. Cheap, and should produce the same effect that comes from deliberatly making the ride more difficult just for masochistic pleasure.

Sounds like fun too...

All one needs then is to ask for strong headwinds in both directions to be a very special type of fun seeking bicycling commuter.

^^^ Why are you even responding to this thread ?
This unnecessarly wrong and negative stuff is contributing
how ?

Rykoala could be dropped from an airplane ... he already has enough panniers for parachutes.

I am in shame for my chitty FG, I will not post a pic of it.

sighs :(

No loctite, suicide hub, on 85 gear inches, front brake, 25 mm tires.

I'm working on getting very, very, strong legs .... not for everyday use though ;)

Here is mine:

1986 Schwinn World Sport 58cm.

Dotek BMX 165mm cranks.
Sun 27" rim with Suzue FG hub.
3TTT Pista drops.
no-name alloy seatpost, ebay mercier seat.
DA 15t cog - 1/8
40t chainring ( soon to be changed for a 1/8 bmx 40t chainring).
KMZ 1/8 bmx chain.

zip ties galore !

ENJOY !

http://nitrousworld.com/images/bicyc...w/MVC_002F.JPG

You're joking, but I have considered loading paniers with rocks as a training aid.

I think the fixed gear adds something more weight can't. You have to apply backwards force on the pedals to avoid spinning too fast on steep downhills. Also, more weight doesn't prevent coasting. In fact, I think it encourages coasting.

My only hesitation with fixed gear is some minor perceived safety issues. I think the original freewheel design was called the "safety bike" for a reason. I'm not saying they are unsafe. I'm just trying to think through all the potential issues beforehand. I don't use clips or straps on the pedals now. It might be required with a fixed gear in order to avoid losing control. Not sure how you re-engage our feet to moving pedals.

If you use clips, you never take your feet out of them ... so hopefully you won't be in that situation.
But if you really need to get on the pedals while spinning, just slap your feet back on like a regular bike and keep going..

Eventually you'll slow down enough to flip the pedals over and get your feet into the clips. lol