SS, fixed commuting
#1
Thread Starter
Friend of Jimmy K

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis
Bikes: A lot: Raliegh road bike, 3 fixed gears, 2 single speeds, 3 Cannondales, a couple of Schwinns
SS, fixed commuting
If you commute fixed or SS what's the furthest you commute, or would commute? I'm looking at a 25 mile one way, if I get this new job this week, and I'm weighing my options.
#3
I ride my fixxie on 25 - 30 mile road rides regularly and I would think that it would be no trouble after a couple of weeks getting used to it. After all you will have all day to rest at work before you have to do it again in the evening.
-Ryan
-Ryan
#4
How hilly is it? My commute is 20miles with about 1000feet total climb. It is a bit much for day to day fixed.
Do you have enough free time to do fifty a day?
Do you have enough free time to do fifty a day?
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#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
I'm at 30 round trip fixied. 50 doesn't sound unreasonable with the right fitness and gearing, and having the time to dedicate.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
I had a 20mi rt commute on a SS which I did 4 days a week. I would hop light rail most days. When I did not, my RT commute was 62 miles.
Things I learned:
- I hate to ride with stuff, I am a roadie at heart. So it required that I drive to work twice a month to "stock" my office with enought clothes and clean towels to get me through the month without carring a backpack.
- 60 miles in the rain was not that fun after about 15 miles into the trip. Even with full fenders and good rain gear, my shoes were soaked at mile 15 and by mile 20-25 I was pretty soggy myself.
- Nice days make for a great way to unwind, and I found that my commute took me about 30 min longer than had I driven. Not bad.
- That kind of distnace means you need to consider a good light setup. Depending on your average speed and your work start/stop times, you will likely be riding in pitch black for part of your commute. Factor in at least $125 for a decent F&R light. (I ran a Dinotte 400L, Magicshine 900, and 4 PB Superflashes.... and I still want more light)
You can do it, it just takes more work, and a good plan for a decent lunch since you will need the energy to get home.
Things I learned:
- I hate to ride with stuff, I am a roadie at heart. So it required that I drive to work twice a month to "stock" my office with enought clothes and clean towels to get me through the month without carring a backpack.
- 60 miles in the rain was not that fun after about 15 miles into the trip. Even with full fenders and good rain gear, my shoes were soaked at mile 15 and by mile 20-25 I was pretty soggy myself.
- Nice days make for a great way to unwind, and I found that my commute took me about 30 min longer than had I driven. Not bad.
- That kind of distnace means you need to consider a good light setup. Depending on your average speed and your work start/stop times, you will likely be riding in pitch black for part of your commute. Factor in at least $125 for a decent F&R light. (I ran a Dinotte 400L, Magicshine 900, and 4 PB Superflashes.... and I still want more light)
You can do it, it just takes more work, and a good plan for a decent lunch since you will need the energy to get home.
Last edited by Hirohsima; 10-27-10 at 10:40 AM.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 757
Likes: 34
From: Seacoast, NH
Bikes: Chinook travel/gravel/family tandem, Chinook all-road, Motobecane fatbike
I used to have a 35mi round trip commute, 5 days a week. I rode it fixed, but that doesn't really change much. It was fun in the warmer months, but winter rides in ice and snow were pretty slow. I found that I didn't "take the long way" very often or have much motivation for weekend rides. I was also consuming noticeably more calories than my previous ~14mi commute.
I currently have a 16mi round trip commute. I mix up my routes and add some miles pretty regularly. I also have energy and motivation leftover for weekend rides.
Given that I ride year round and have to contend with a lot of ice or snow in the winter, I wouldn't want a commute over 20 miles round trip. If I lived some place without snow and ice, I think I'd be happy up to 30 miles.
I currently have a 16mi round trip commute. I mix up my routes and add some miles pretty regularly. I also have energy and motivation leftover for weekend rides.
Given that I ride year round and have to contend with a lot of ice or snow in the winter, I wouldn't want a commute over 20 miles round trip. If I lived some place without snow and ice, I think I'd be happy up to 30 miles.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 757
Likes: 34
From: Seacoast, NH
Bikes: Chinook travel/gravel/family tandem, Chinook all-road, Motobecane fatbike
#13
I know it's an old thread and the OP is probably commuting in his BMW 7 Series with built-in massage leather seats with lumbar heat control. But commuting on a fixed gear 25 miles to work and then another 25 back? F that. I'll ride a bike 50 miles no problem, but when you do it with the element of "job," then F that. That's a whole different mentality.
F that.
F that.
#15
LOL. I go hard for up to just 3-mile sprints. I've done centuries on fixed and free, but you just can't go all that hard for 50 miles. It's the power law of human performance, moron.
EDIT: And F you.
EDIT: And F you.
Last edited by powerband; 10-27-10 at 06:43 PM.







