Commuting on a fixed gear?

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01-29-06 | 10:27 PM

#26

Ronin

fitter, happier

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 200

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From: Lawrence

Bikes: I have more bikes than fingers. So I can't count em

My commute is about 30 miles round trip with a few decent hills. Im old and smoke two packs a day so I roll 38x16.

01-29-06 | 10:38 PM

#27

ahpook

dirtbag roadie

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 894

Likes: 1

From: PDX

Bikes: Della Santa Corsa Speciale -- Kish custom -- Santa Cruz Stigmata -- Niner Air 9 Carbon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew A Brown

52x17 across Gainesville, ~10 miles rt. Gvl's not really hilly, but I manage to hit pretty much all the big ones on my ride. It's probably way to tall of a gear, but works just fine for me. I may sing differently after I get the fenders on.

I'm just bumping down from 52x18 to 52x20 (and wheels down a smidge from 27" to 700C). I found myself mashing on the hills and hurting a bit more than I oughtta. Don't know if the (SKS) fenders are making a difference on that.

To the OP: My commute's 10 miles each way, I split pretty evenly between geared roadbike and fixie, depending on the weather, which one's running nicer at the moment, phase of moon etc. Fix started out as a bad weather beater but my new wheels cost as much as the frame so it's sort of beyond the beater category now. Definitely recommend going the conversion route as its much cheaper and you're far more likely to be able to fit commuter-width tires, fenders, rack, etc. Have fun

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01-29-06 | 11:05 PM

#28

helvetica

Wake Up America!

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 417

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From: San Leandro, CA

Bikes: Bridgestone MB-1, Expert Dave Scott, Balance MTB

42x15 it works just fine... I can get up 10-18% grades if I carve.

01-29-06 | 11:13 PM

#29

Sincitycycler

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 3,218

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From: "Gosh honey, you pass more like Tony Rominger..."

Bikes: 2005 Scott CR1 Pro - 1992 Panasonix Fixed Conversion 60tx20t

I bet it's easier to do track stands on these fixies too.

It's a ***** on a roadbike!

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01-30-06 | 12:39 AM

#30

richardmasoner

Fritz M

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 959

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From: California

Bikes: Trek, Spesh, GT, Centurion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sincitycycler

I bet it's easier to do track stands on these fixies too.

Well, yeah. It's called "trackstand" for a reason.

01-30-06 | 01:49 AM

#31

benk0

If you don't look good...

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 284

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From: PHX

Bikes: 1993 Cannondale Track

47/16 - 13 miles roundtrip daily.

01-30-06 | 10:32 PM

#32

Nachoman

well hello there

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 15,488

Likes: 388

From: Point Loma, CA

Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)

4 2 x 16 is a little tough for me. I may swap down to an 18rear cog. I hit a good hill on my 13 mile RT commute.

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01-30-06 | 11:31 PM

#33

anarchocyclist

leading zero

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 251

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From: Phoenix

Lately I do 150 to 170 miles a week at 42x16 in flat-as-a-strap, windy-as-hell Phoenix. I used to rock 42x14, but my knees organized a union and went on a wildcat strike. Negotiations resulted in glucosamine, ibuprofen, kneebrace, and gearing-down concessions from management.

01-30-06 | 11:44 PM

#34

huhenio

Barbieri Telefonico

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 3,522

Likes: 2

From: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nachoman

4 2 x 16 is a little tough for me. I may swap down to an 18rear cog. I hit a good hill on my 13 mile RT commute.

How long is the hill /// /maybe there is a little bump here and there that deseves be walked rather than gearing down.

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01-31-06 | 03:39 AM

#35

clipped

and riding...just riding

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 170

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From: Belleville, Illinois

my bike came with a 48x16 which made it a rocket, but one with an admittedly weak engine. now i run a 48x18 which is great for around town, hills, and the daily commute. the change also made for brake use nearly nonexistant.

01-31-06 | 05:28 AM

#36

Terror_in_pink

Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 2,047

Likes: 1

From: Los Angeles

Bikes: Custom Holland Ti road bike, Custom track bike I traded a painting for.

low to mid 70's are perfect if youre brakeless and if you have a brake maybe a little higher if youre not climbing much

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01-31-06 | 06:50 AM

#37

fordfasterr

One speed: FAST !

Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Ft. Lauderdale FL

Bikes: Ebay Bikes... =)

Quote:

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01-31-06 | 07:56 AM

#38

Aeroplane

jack of one or two trades

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 5,640

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From: Suburbia, CT

Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB

Commuting on a fixed gear is impossible. Once a track hub gets within 200 yards of the operator's place of work, it explodes.

01-31-06 | 12:21 PM

#39

k3nho

velo cult

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 264

Likes: 0

From: San Francisco, CA

Bikes: basso track, guerciotti road, revolution track

sorry if its off topic, but how do you determine the % grade of your commute? i have some hills in my commute but have no way to accurately describe them. . .