Fixed gear is the gateway bike
 

I've seen a lot of people who previously were not into bike start to ride other types of bikes and use their bikes for utility more because of a fixed gear. Has anyone else seen this? It's great to see other people commuting to work and school, now. And a few of my friends have started to ride road and longer distances with me.

Even if it is a "fad," I embrace it. Some people will still stick around after it's not hip anymore.

I will admit, single speeds and fixed gears got me into more serious riding and an appreciation for older road bikes.

These were my gateway bikes....
http://www.pedalcarzone.com/cgi-bin/...c-DRV2-PCZ.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...0px-Mach_2.jpg

Obviously I can only speak for myself, but I didn't get into the whole fixed gear thing until several years after I had begun biking as an adult. For a long time I was skeptical of it actually ... because of the perceived inefficiency of it as compared to my road bike (not to mention the sort of culture surrounding it). What I didn't factor into the equation was how much more fun it is to ride a fixed gear bike. Once I gave it a try (I rode my friend's Swobo Sanchez.) and realized how much fun it was, I fell in love with it.

This applies to me. I just recently got a road bike and am starting to do longer rides. If it wouldn't have been for the fixed gear I would never have gotten into cycling.

yeah i'm similar to devils...i was a roadie and skeptical of FG b/c I thought it was only popular b/c it was "cool", not b/c it was fun or effective. I eventually got sick of locking up my aluminum/CF road bike at school and decided to get a beater bike, which I decided to make a FG for the hell of it.

I think for the majority of the people, they were into other forms of cycling before fixed. For myself, I was way into mountain biking and would laugh at roadies. After a few years of that, I tried out a road bike and haven't looked back since. Fixed came after that.

That was my logic as well. Fixed gear bikes, while they have a long history obviously, weren't really on the map until recently. IMO we all have SB to thank for that. And I don't say that with any sarcasm (if it came off that way).

Sheldon Brown is the #1 reason I decided to buy a used fixed gear off craigslist. I had recently had my cheap wal-mart hybrid stolen and was looking for a replacement, so I went with the fixed. I had no idea about the whole 'fixie' trend, and I was probably the first one in my small college town to have one that I know of. Since then I've seen a few fixed gears around town and campus, and I've convinced some friends to buy/build some.

I was starting to get into bikes at the time, but the fixed gear is sorta what turned me into more of a bike nut. From there I got a touring bike (lht) and eventually a recumbent to add to the mix.

As one of the impressionable youths who jumped on the bandwagon in recent years, I totally agree with the assertion that fixed gears are gateway bikes. For someone like me, it provided a way to get into cycling that was accessible, cool, cheap, and simple-and I think these are virtues for a beginner.

Having a fixed gear allowed me to really immerse myself in cycling. I taught myself to build and repair my bike, I got up to speed physically quicker thanks to the effort required to ride a fixed gear, and I met a lot of awesome people in the process.

That said, I think it's silly to retain a fanatical and narrow devotion to fixed gears only. There's so much out there that is worth riding (my main ride now is a 3 speed), and I hope people transition from the gateway of fixed gears to other new experiences.

I second Sheldon Brown for getting me into fixed gear.

While I mostly always had a bike (never got a car until I was 20), it wasn't until I decided to work on bikes myself that I discovered his site and delved deeper into his fascination with fixed gear bicycles. I then built up a bike and sold my car and haven't looked back.

I would like to get a nice townie bike to just take a stroll in someday. I guess that's a nice gateway?

Well, if we are going to go back REALLY far my first bike was some department store bike that had a coaster brake. I guess I was about 5?

I can remember how much I wanted that bike. It was to me, at the time, a little piece of freedom.

I HIGHLY regret the years I spent not on my bike (HS - some college). Those were the years I could first afford a car and I was buying another piece of freedom. That having been said though, I am older now and I am so glad I ditched my car in favor of a bike.

Aw, I'm gettin all misty eyed.

Completely agree. Turning 16 and having car was huge. In College I road a bike almost everyday, but it wasn't fixed. When my only car exploded in college (same one when I was 16) I got a motorcycle, but still road my bikes.

Today I've been car free for over 5 years (2 were force because of the peace corps).

I purchased a langster for my commute and put 5000 on the bike. Upgraded to a Surly CrossXCheck which has about 1250 miles on it. And yesterday I purchased a Surly Steamroller for my around town bike. The Langster I ride as a SS, but the steamer I'll probably try fixed.

Can't say the a fixed bike was my gateway bike. Single speeds were however because of their simplicity. Fixed it even more simple so I hope to enjoy the Steamer as a fixed gear.

Cheers

fixed gear is not a fad, its a newish thing that is a good idea and isnt going anywhere; kinda like 29ers for mountain bikes

some 10 speeds i found in the garbage were my gateway bikes. dangerous stuff, within a year and a half I went from hi-ten steel with 27" rims and bottom rung suntour to full titanium and sram red components...

I do think it (fixed gear riding or biking in general) is around to stay. My reasoning is that it's not so much at heart a fashion, something you do or wear or say to make a statement, as an actual way of life. You use it not just for fun, but for function. You ride to get your groceries. You ride to go to work/school. You ride with your friends to bars on a Friday night. Someone might design the new little black dress, but the bicycle really ISN'T gonna get redesigned any time soon.

And I'll never buy a recumbent. You can quote me on that, btw.

stole the words right out of my mouth. +1

I don't have a fixed gear bike. I may take one for a spin because I am curious, but that is about it. I replied to this thread to say that I actually like the progressive and liberal culture that seems to surround it. That's the kind of women I'm looking to meet. The non-traditional types. So, this type of bike culture certainly has caught my eye. I'll probably be building a single speed "board tracker" style just to break free from being traditional, aside from the fact that I love the fatter tires.

I rode BMX's as a teenager, then became interested in touring bikes, commuter bikes, and cruisers in the last couple of years, after being away from bikes for a decade. So, those were the gateway bikes for me.

I was into mountain biking my whole life, got into fixed by way of a friend who showed me Sheldon Brown's articles.
Fell in love with Cyclocross along the way, and now am just starting to plan a bike tour with my GF.

I never really road a bike seriously till last summer. I borrowed a friends bike in Montréal and although theres not a lot of traffic it was still a fun taste of what its like to ride a fixed gear in a city and it made me want to get one. It was a challenge cos it was different then what I was used to. Now I've had one for almost a year and its really changed my life. As I get in better shape I start doing longer distances, so Im highly considering getting a road bike. But commuting on my bike gives me a rush. Track stands sprints off of lights and that feeling that you have to keep peddling even when you're there, you're always going somewhere on a fixed. I started loving it more when I put clipless on my bike cos you can really feel the fixed gear drivetrain and put your power down on the road and skid like mad if you wanna ruin some tires.

A fixed gear was my first bike too.

I was 3.

im one of those people. i got a fixed gear for fun and to commute to and from school, which led me to purchase a road bike that i now ride often and love. i just did my first organized ride (50 miles) a couple days ago and plan on doing many more and longer rides. and i have my fixed gear to thank :D

I'm putting down a first payment on a Cannondale Caad9-5 on the 15th because I started riding fixed around town last year. I want to start riding longer distances.

1885 is newish?

hmm i guess i went the backwards route. i traded a neglected wake board for a nice road bike, got into biking, found out about fixed gears, forgot all about my roadie. im actually wanting to get rid it because i think i could prob build up two fixed bikes with the money.

i have only been keeping it around for friends who come by, but none of them have any interest in it, so i was just going to liquidate the thing. i guess the smart thing to do would be to hold onto it since it is a pretty nice bike. but i feel like its going to waste away just sitting there.

hmmmmmmm