Maiden Ride (Fixed)
 

I am pretty much a full fledged roadie, yet I do have a SS/Fixed beater. Recently, I flipped the wheel from Freehub to fixed. Rode around for a couple of hours getting a feel for it. Flipped it back with little desire to go fixed again. I didn't find it especially physically taxing, but for a concern that down the line I'd experience knee problems (that I never had) It was more annoying to me than anything because I discovered I really like the ability to coast and brake my way though traffic situations. It's definitely not the lack of multiple gears, I have a blast riding SS and don't utilize the full range of gears on my road bikes.

Knowing myself, I'll probably get curious about fixed riding at some point down the line and give it another go, or maybe because I feel I have to appreciate it (or be shamed into it), but right now there's no promise of a reward. I had no fun at all riding fixed.

Question: is this a typical maiden experience with fixed? Or is it like nirvana immediately?

It really depends, it's something different and it may just not be for you. That being said, how's your saddle position? Hopefully you're not putting too much strain on your knees that way. Also, your technique will be **** right now for resisting/skipping/etc. so you're going to be working a lot harder just to get any results. One more thing to consider is you're probably using muscles on a fixed gear setup that aren't normally used when you have rim brakes F+R to stop you. What's your gearing? Running a full-on track ratio on the street is a sure way to start things off on a bad note.

Don't sweat it either way, single speed is great too.

PS. Find the pictures sticky, post your bike. Bike porn for all = good times.

My gearing is 50/17. Don't feel over/under stressed at all, but that feeling in my knee's that felt like real damage could occur if I kept it up. The seat height/angle is the same as all my bikes. Is there a special consideration for fixed in this respect?

I don't think anyone would want to look at this bike - It's a lowly beast. I built it up that way - the cheapest, least appealing I could make it, Alex wheels and all.

50/17 is a huge gear unless you are spinning at the track, drop the chainring down and try it again. The lower gear inch you run the easier it will be to spin, the less stress on your knees, easier to resist/skid/stop and the more fun you will have

I agree with everyone else. Lower gearing will give you more control over the bike (once you get used to spinning fast) and better for the knees.

As for position on the bike, my road bike and fixed bike are set up as close to identical as I could get them, but I still mess with the fixed bike constantly. You do all sorts of pushing and pulling and shifting around on the saddle riding fixed that you don't do when you can shift and coast., so any fit/comfort problems are magnified.

44 or 45 x 17 would be tits.

50/17 isn't outrageous. a lot of people on here push much bigger gears, or at least claim to.

i think having fun is the only rule worth following.

50/17 is big but not extreme. If that's what you like SS, you may wanna keep it for fixed as well, though trying a smaller one surely can't hurt.

Most people seem to get into fixed instantly, or never, but I'm one of the few who only got to really like it after a good 2 or 3 weeks of trying... In that time, I was sorta undecided.

When I got my trackstanding, bunnyhopping and general bike control at all sorts of speeds properly down, I started really enjoying fixed. I don't miss coasting much at all (urban riding, not centuries and tours).

Knee problems: Not an issue unless you're silly. Leave your front brake on and use it for emergency stops; no need to skid all the time. Don't push a too big gear ratio, don't go climbing hills fixed or ss with your usual ratio. Just not coasting won't kill your knees.

BS. If you brought that to a track, they would laugh at you all day. It's not that tall, but it's not as easy as it could be.

Don't waste your time on things that aren't fun.

thanks trackstar

Lot of roadies are simply afraid to try fixed gear on the streets. I know several myself. Couple of them's been s/s'ing Langsters on group rides and have yet to flip that wheel onto the fixed side. I'm having a hard time talking them into riding fixed. I don't think it's in them....

dang I was hoping to see a picture of evil eddie transposed over that kid doing the no-handed-double-middle-finger-trackstand

why would he get laughed at? I'm confused is it too big or too small. It seems pretty good to me depending on the track and what he was doing.

Maybe I was a bit harsh, but in my opinion that gearing is too small to do anything but work on your spin at a track. I am no hero, and I can push a 3:1 on the street. It is a decent street gearing, but would leave you behind the pack on a track. This is my opinion, and you cannot change it with your wiley attacks!

Anyone can. Nobody should. Just sayin'...

Exactly.

I built up a beater, with a flip-flop hub and all. Left the front brake on, and threw the fixed under the chain from the get-go. For a Go-To-The-Bar and toodle around the neighborhood bike, it's poifect. I'm running 48/18 and haven't even attempted skidding yet (though one half-bunnyhop the first night I rode it I about rolled my ankle). I guess I'm sayin as a roadie-ish person used to geared all the time, I had just the opposite reaction. I'm diggin it. You won't see me doing any centuries fixed (well, maybe the Seagull, har), but I get out of the house more --and less often with the car-- with it....

All comes down to fun; you said you aren't having fun with it - don't bother with it; BUT if you do become curious again...flip it and see if you've changed your feeling towards it.

Not sure if I'd like riding with that gear ratio - I ride quite a few hills so I'm sitting at 48/18; not sure how much of a difference it would make compared to 50/17. I wouldn't be overly concered about the knees unless you really feel the need to skid.

if its not for you then dont force it. you should always ride comfortable and happy. dont ride fix just cause other cats are doing it. i fell in love instantly but i know other cats that just dont like it so they stick to gears or just ss. whatever works, works. peace.

c-monkey

I tried it once. For me, it didn't really work. I think it might be OK for mostly flat places. More than that, though, it is difficult on rough roads. I like to stand and coast over giant pavement cracks and such. We have truely awful roads around here.

My knee was sore for several days afterwards. It wasn't just the fixed gear. I had other issues with bike fit that probably contributed.