Long distance
 

Currently all i have is a fixed gear bike. But im looking to buy a geared bike so i can go on longer distance rides. Does anyone else who has a FG also have a geared bike? And rides it often? Im either going to go to my LBS and see what they have for used (older) road bikes, or hit up CL.

And for those who do ride FG and a geared bike, does it help with stamina as far as riding longer and harder on your FG?

Yes, I and probably most of the people on this forum have both FG and geared road bikes. Basically, a geared bike always trumps a FG on long rides on varied terrain and where wind is involved. If it's flat and windless, it really doesn't matter. As to stamina, endurance etc., I really don't know, since I ride my FG and geared bikes differently, so I think they really complement each other and both are beneficial, but in different ways.

What Tejano said.

However, there was someone posting in here last year who was doing some long rides fixed - like 200-300 miles, I think?

The search here isn't very good, but if you spend some time hunting around you may find it.

BTW - what do you consider long distance? You don't say. With the right gearing, you can do 100-200 km on a FG bike and feel pretty good as long as you're not stressed out about how long it takes you.

I'm no distance master, but I have done century rides two days in a row on my Sputnik. For me, the biggest issue with riding those longer distances fixed was something I didn't expect - my ass got really sore. Because it's hard to stand up and ride at an easy pace on level ground or downhill, you only get to stretch your legs out a bit and get out of the saddle for some relief when you are climbing. The positive side-effect of that is that it can make you REALLY happy to see a hill you have to climb!

I was concerned about my legs pumping up and burning out on the hills and leaving me feeling worn out, but honestly I felt nice and fresh at the end of the whole thing.

For a recent 100k Gran Fondo, though, I picked up a cheap entry-level road bike from BD - a Windsor Wellington 3.0. I had a time in mind that I wanted to beat, and I feel that this purchase was well worth it in order to beat that time. I also used that same bike for a recent 8 day, 720km bike trip. I do think I could have managed it with my Sputnik, but I was pretty glad to have the gears on many occasions.

I have two fixies and two roadies. When out for fun I grab the fixie of course, and stick mainly to the bike trail. For longer rides gears are the best for me, I live in the hills. I find I have a different frame of mind when on the geared bike, the fixie's are more fun for sure.

Exactly...I love seeing those hills on a long ride. Instant pleasure. On the negative side. When I see those big climbs I'm happy, but then I see the down....And then I'm sad. ;)

I've don't two 100k's in a row, same weekend, this season...and it was a blast. Other Than the 101degrees I had to fight it was worth it. The pickle juice at the rest stops really helped...

Socks

I have both. Like TejanoTrackie, I ride both differently. I commute to work every weekday, ~25miles round trip, on both bikes. I alternate days, or just grab whatever i'm feeling that day. As far as longer distance rides, I can ride either and feel comfortable.

I've done long rides on both, 120+mi.

The geared bike is certainly faster, but I wouldn't say it's drastically easier.

The only time I prefer my geared bike is on really hilly rides, i.e. 10,000+ vert.

I've toured on my road bike, and I would definitely prefer it for long distances, especially if I am unfamiliar with the area and terrain. It's great having gears when you hit crazy headwind or looong climbs, just as it's terribly fun to coast down a mountain at 40+ mph.

I do metric centuries on my track bike with 49/16. I'm only considering a new road bike simply to go up Mt. Baker at some point. 3500 feet.

I've done 50-60 milers, errm metric centuries, on my fixed gear, it's no problem but coasting is nice when you're on the saddle for so long

So true, there are some times I just wanna coast, stand up and get some blood in there. So I sprint instead :)