roadfix

While at a stop, if I have to reposition my still engaged pedal ready for take off I lock my front brake, push the bar forward which lifts the rear wheel off the ground, and I partially crank the wheel rearward or forward......in one nice, fluid motion.
These are just some of the fine bits you can only do and enjoy while riding a FG.

Also, trackstanding is much easier done on the FG than on a freewheeling bike.

Bill Shanks

My father rode a fixie in the 1920's. He felt like quite a stud until he was taking his usual shortcut across a vacant lot in the dark and went into a new ditch before he could stop with no brakes. Guess what hit what? It's a miracle I'm around.

europa

I'm trying to work out whether to cheer or to groan

Tell me, do you ride a fixed gear bicycle? If not, why not? You owe it to Lady Fate

For me, the worst thing about riding fixed is my Mum and Dad telling me (repeatedly as is their wont) that their first bikes were fixed gear ... and then pointing out that so was mine (and I don't mean a kid's trike, I'm talking a real bike with 28" wheels, water pipe frame with a bend in the top tube where Dad tried to ride it down the church steps as a kid and blocks of wood on the pedals so I could reach them )

Richard

Artmo 

Growing up in England in the '50s and '60s, I, like many others would remove our gears in winter and convert to fixed - usually 69 (42x16) gear inches for everyday use and 84 for time trials. No-one used gears in time trials in those days. I've always loved riding fixed and a few years ago I bought a Bianchi Pista 48x16, which I switch to 48x18 as the mood takes me. I don't ride it that much, but when I do, it's a whole new enjoyable experience. My buddies think I'm nuts and wonder how I can pedal so fast and also wonder how I can stop, but I do have front brake. They always admire the clean lines, even if they don't want to try riding it. As the man said, it's not for everyone, but it's for me.
p.s. I don't see any advantage to SS.

buelito

I have often written about how much I love riding my fixie-- and that hasn't changed... However, I recently started riding a single speed mountain bike-- Now THAT is a blast! One gear, but I can coast over logs and down hills, and then have to power up the hills. For the trails around here, it is all the bike I need-- and I am much better on it than on the multi-geared mountain bike that is sleeping, lonely, in the garage

train safe

MichaelB

I am also in the lucky position of owning a nice Argon18 Platinum and a "fixed" gear bike.

I built it up out of an old Eagle Indi 500 (PG 4130 frame) for something to do over winter (18mo ago) and try this new concept.

Due to an issue with the rear wheel on the Argon18, I got the fixed gear bike out and started rding it whilst the problem was sorted.

Well it's been 6 weeks and I haven't touched the geared bike, and am even enjoying the challenge of hill work (using a freewheel for descending) and am using excuses to keep riding it.

Even had dire thoughts of selling the Argon18 ....

The fixed bike is neither fancy nor light, but it works a treat. Im not one of the hipsters as I use two brakes, have normal drop bars, don't skid and don't have any cards in the spokes.

Looking forward to the day when the fad passes so I can buy another fixed gear bike for a good price

Cheers

Michael B

roadfix

Except for some vintage frames and components used in a lot of conversions, the current popularity of the fixed gear culture is the reason why FG bikes and related components are CHEAP.

Bill Shanks

I have a titanium knee so a fixie is out given the hills on my commute-too much strain. I have considered a singlespeed for running around the flat part of town but not a fixie. Besides, I don't want an encounter with the stem like my father's.

jmel7771

I have a converted mid 80's Cilo that is a Single Speed (freewheeling fixie??) That I use on the paved bike trail, when I run errands or when I ride with my grandson. No clips, nice mustache bar and front/rear brakes. It is a blast and a nice change from my road bikes. Not sure that I would want to stress my knees on a brakeless fixie. To each their own.