Hi there,
My name is Darren. I live in Southern California. I've been reading the forums (Commuting, Road, Utility, and Family/Rec) for the past few months.

In many threads, I often see people posting simply the word "Fixed" usually in response to a previous comment. Can someone explain what is meant by these "Fixed" comments?

Thanks,
Darren

Welcome to BF.
The person posting "fixed" has changed a previous post to read so it is PC or funny or has a completely different meaning. Just a bit of humor.

Now, tell us about yourself and your bike(s).

Or they could be talking about a "fixed gear" or track bike, often referred to as a "fixie" or something similar. It has only one cog in the back, and no freewheel, so when the back wheel is turning, so are the pedals. A track bike normally comes with no brakes, though some people add one for use on the road. They take a bit of adjusting to get used to riding them, since you are unable to coast!

Welcome to the forum too!

Fixed

Fixed.............and sleepy.

Many versions, eh?

But Ron speaks the truth!

Welcome to BikeForums, and our sense of humour .

East Hill

Got it. Thanks for the replies.


A bit about me:
I'm 35 yr old.

I started riding when I was a kid. When I was a teenager, I got a used road bike that was way too large for me. I did a few charity rides, had a really bad experience on one where I got separated from the group and got lost. Then my bike was stolen from my back yard. That ended my road cycling involvement.

I had a freestyle bike, but it was heavy and I was too weak to do any tricks. And that ended things.

When I was in high school, I got a Trek 820 "mountain bike". However I only used it for mountain biking a handful of times. I took that bike with me to college and used it to get around.

After college, I stopped riding altogether. But I kept the bike.

In August 2008, I dusted off the Trek and turned it into a commuter bike. In October 2008, I got a Specialized Allez Triple (2008 model) and started using it for commuting. I have a 16 mile (round trip) commute which I do 2-4 times/week. I ride around Irvine and Newport Beach on the weekends if I have time for it.

I recently bought a Bianchi Avenue for $150 at LBS and put a baby carrier on it (BoBike Mini) and started going on family rides with my wife and 10 month old.

I really want to get into bicycling advocacy to help change the negative perceptions that motorists have about cyclists. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Best Wishes,
Darren

If fixed means single speed, I cannot understand why in the world anyone would want to ride a single speed/fixed bike, unless they were track racing.

Can anyone explain this to me?

If one lives in a place that is relativley flat, or the gearing allows you to do the hills you need to ride...

It's fun
low maintenance, good in the winter, or bad weather
different
a cheap way to get a relatively light bike
Less for a thief to take off your bike
Good exercise, more exercise in a shorter time than possibly your freewheel bikes.
Improves your pedal stroke, makes you stronger up hills, good practice spinning fast
It's fun !~ really!

I rode a fixed gear bike the first day I became a messenger in DC. I was immediately addicted. I now race roadies, but my pedal stoke allows me to ride stronger and longer because of how efficient I became on the track bike. Oh yeah, they look cool.