Bike Forums - Commuting on a single speed

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I have commuted on a fixed gear for several years now. I started and haven't really gotten the geared bikes out at all. I love riding fixed. I do have a single speed set up and have a new frame I'm going to build up for the summer as track bike. I'm excited as heck, for the nice weather to get here and I can ride a taller gear inch. 46x18 just isn't that great, although with ice and snow it's just right.

So I've heard everybody rave about fixed gear and have thought about trying it. I've got a very long hill that has a good runout on my daily ride. My mt bike runs out of gear forcing me to coast until I hit the runout. I'm assuming this is not a good situation for a fixie? or do would I just have to keep my speed down? Or actually, here's really my question.. What would you say avg/max speed is on a fixed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by gritface

I thought going down hills would be a big problem on a fixie, but has not caused me much trouble so far here in Maryland. The gear I use is a bit higher than what I would optimally use on flat ground (it's 39/15, a 5.3 gain ratio). Basically one thing that you do on a fixie is you ever-so-slightly resist the urge to go really really fast on a downhill if it's a long one. But it's surprising how fast I can spin when I try it, and it's not even uncomfortable.

I run a front caliper brake on my fixie, and that gives me plenty of stopping power when combined with my feet resisting the rear wheel. Were I to build another fixie for commuting use, I'd probably put a rear brake on it just for added stopping power and that warm fuzzy feeling of being ridiculously extra safe. But the point is, I am doing fine without it and I really believe that riding a fixie downhill is a lot less risky than you'd think.

Hope that helps!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rykoala

Maybe in a few months I can go fixed. For now I cannot though, as I get a terrible cramp in my left calf every time I ride, and I HAVE to be able to coast to rest it. I have to get that muscle built up. It happens if I walk too far, too. It doesn't happen on my mountain bike commuter, I would suppose because it has biopace rings on it. I'm happy single speedin' it for now :D

FYI, Sheldon Brown has used Biopace rings on fixed gear bikes, and he says they work fine (even though it makes the chain tension change!) If that would improve your comfort on a fixie, it's worth a shot.

Read about it at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/biopace.html

I gave thought to using biopace on my single speed, but it doesn't work so good at higher rpm's and I wanted to be able to spin really well, so I decided to go with a normal chainring. Besides I think it might be a fitment issue. Regardless the muscle needs to be worked until it doesn't cramp anymore, its something I've wanted to overcome for a long time.

As far as one leg being longer than another, it was never brought up by any doctors, and I don't believe that is the case.