how many of you are riding clipless?
i'm thinking platforms with spds or something on the flip side.

my current commuter has spds, but i never really feel like putting special shoes on just to run to town.
is fixed harder / easier with clipless? ss seems like it works both ways.

i had an 820 just like that. wonder where it is... lent it to a friend in burlington. heavy bike, but i gave it a great workout when living in NYC.

I've got spd's on the fixie. I've used clipless for years now and I can't imagine going fixed without them. Especially when trying to stop.

Here's mine:

Oh ... the spinning meat grinder of doom ... coasting with a FG is not impossible, not even difficult.

#1 - you better have a strong crotch

#2 - If you think you can spin, try without having your feet on the pedals

#3 - shadow the circling of your pedals for a couple revolutions and STOMP them

Try that with straps ... I can do that when pedal rpms are over 120 a min. Is either that or gearing really higher

+1

Pedals: SPD's in the summer, platforms and warm boots in the winter.

caloso: "I've got spd's on the fixie. I've used clipless for years now and I can't imagine going fixed without them. Especially when trying to stop."

I rode into town today to pay some bills, etc. I roll up to busy Rt. 4 and see I
only have to stall for about 2 seconds before I can bust into traffic safely.
Now I cant Natty Fab indefinately but the 2 second stall is a daily occurance
so its no big deal.... Approximately .75 of a second into the stall a mighty
Vermont Scirrocco blows up Rt. 4..:eek: :eek: :cry: and.....well, Im too embarassed
to say, but I did an Arte Johnson / Laugh-In imitation that would have gotten a
first on the Gong Show !! Almost as many people laffed at it too, Im sure :roflmao:
:mad: Toe Clips :mad:

Ch0mb0: To quote Paris Hilton....That GT is Hot ! :D
I have one on my ebay 'Watch' list right now, so nobody else bid on it, dammit :p

Gee, I thought this was the commuting list; the show us your fixie thread is long on showing; short on telling of any reason for fixed for commuting. Other than masochistic pleasure or a "better" workout. Both of which can be gained with low tech/maintenance free added lead weights.

Doncha think this fixie fixation discussion belongs elsewhere? At least the masochistic poster who liked headwinds was talking about getting his fill of pleasure while commuting.

No but I think fixed gear for commuting is as funny (and as useful) as a juggler on unicycle. Especially in Philadelphia where I have many years of cycling experience. I understand trendy, I understand masochistc; I don't understand anyone justifying fixed for commuting in city traffic for reliabilty or for any other cryptic "serious" reason.

^^^ Last time I checked the title to this thread was :
_Fixed Gear commuters show'n'tell_

I-like-to-bike

This person is on your Ignore List. [View Post] [Un-Ignore User]

A Nathan Fabian to an Artie Johnson! I can dig it.

What makes you think riding fixed in the city is so difficult, or impractical? I have many bikes, and my fixed gear road bike is just as quick door to door as my geared road bike on my commute to work, and both get me there safely. I do find the fixed gear bike is more fun on short rides, though, which is why I ride it almost every day.

In the winter, riding fixed becomes a huge advantage, in my experience. In deep slush and snow, where my rim brakes are virtually useless, I can brake with my legs. I also like to be able to guage how much traction I have directly, by pushing backwards on the crank. And I sure don't miss having my freewheel or cassette body slip under full load because the prawls are rusted or frozen. I will certainly never ride a bike with derailleurs in the winter again-what a nightmare.

To me, fixed gear bikes aren't a fashion statement, just another way to get around under your own power. I love mine.

I did my first fixed commute today. Pictures of the conversion will be coming. After a few hard lessons over the weekend regarding remembering to pedal, I did not even have to be "reminded" today. I actually find it quite fun to ride, although it is still a bit scary to me. Putting a brake on really did a lot to reduce this fear. My first 20 miles were necessarily brakeless and the stopsign at the bottom of the hill did not do much to inspire my confidence. I will probably never go brakeless again.

I think commuting fixed is just another way to keep that same 9 mile route from getting boring day after day. I will continue to ride fixed for now because I like the challenge.

All this fixie stuff is very new to me to Sawtooth, so I am always interested
in hearing what others with less experience have to say. I think the experts
take for granted all they have learned. I am really excited about it and look
forward to having to learn all over again. I thought I was an 'expert' because I
MTB, commute, SS etc but this has been a real humbling experience. One
thing I really like is that the bike to me almost feels like it has a little helper
motor due to when it is moving it is creating its own 'help' / momentum so
when you pedal at, lets say the 44x17 on a fixie it will be much, much easier
than on a freewheeler because the forward momentum is actually adding more
ERG's to the pedal stroke....I know it sounds wack but I know Im climbing
hills harder and in the taller gear than I would on the freewheeler :rolleyes:

I've only been doing this a few weeks myself. I think it has made me a more efficient rider in town. Rather than ride hard, coast to the intersection, and hit the brakes, on a fixed gear I spin more gently and try to time the light if possible.

It's also made me a more efficient rider in a race situation. I'm more comfortable spinning a lower gear at a higher cadence, and then when I need to "hit the afterburners" I drop a gear or two and my acceleration is much better.

I commute on a fixed gear ~2mi each way 44x17...I am in the process of building up my second fixed gear that will take over for the one I am currently riding.
here's an outdated pic of my daily rider in all of its hideous glory
http://static.flickr.com/35/68813550_9ac47ef0af.jpg
in the pic I was running 48x17 and now geared down to 44x17 and also I have drops on it instead of the chopped down risers

Sounds like a lot of you guys are getting the right idea. Not sure what all to put in for more insight, but after 3-4 years of commuting on a track bike and a host of conversions, I'm sure I'll remember something...

Anyways, here's some pics from the end of today's commute. I'm the only one that's used this rack in months ;)

I haven't been commuting on my fixed gear lately because it doesn't have fenders, but when I can I really enjoy it. My next bike is going to be a more commuting-specific singlespeed/fixed machine with slacker angles, slightly fatter tires, and (of course) fenders.

You got some weird weather patterns if it only snows on the bike racks. ;) BTW, I'm assuming you unlocked before you took the pic?

Thanks for providing a rational response. If you love yours, Enjoy!
Did you ever consider a single speed bike with coaster brake as an alternative? Such bikes can be found in any thrift store or garage sale with littleeffort, probably for $10 or less. It certainly will provide more assured stopping power of the rear wheel in any kind of wet condition. And it allows you to coast when you might feel like it. As far as determining available traction I figure that out when I pedal in a forward direction on any bike I have ever ridden. Plenty of chances to get a workout and anyone who thinks a single speed with coaster brake requires too much (or any) maintenance has been smoking from the wrong end of his pipe.

Only bike type with less maintenance IS a unicycle since it doesn't even have a chain to fool with. My son used to have lots of fun on this simple fixed gear bike, but by the time he got out of grade school he figured out its limitations (compared to a minimally equipped regular bicycle), greatly outweighed its "advantages," and the being different factor no longer was worth the extra effort involved.

^^^ have you ever ridden a fixed gear???

What's with the hate? They're actually fun to ride. You should try. Might help you relax. You seem tense.

He is from Iowa ... :rolleyes:

You are confusing hate for skepticism of the practicality for commuting of a trendy equipment fad among afficianadoes that has little, if anything, to do with bicycle commuting. A thread about George Hincapie's achievements, unicycles, or best tattoos for commuting would be would be just as silly for a list about commuting; all of those activities may be about fun but are not about commuting.

The response referring to Iowa and hate just shows how dopey some trendy boys can be in defending their fixation.