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Why did you start riding fixed?

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Why did you start riding fixed?

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Old 04-20-11 | 12:08 PM
  #51  
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From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: Schwinn, Bottecchia, Miyata, projects

I tried riding fixed, liked it, researched it, then decided it would be a fun way to get around town and get faster on my geared bikes.
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Old 04-20-11 | 12:12 PM
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Rode a 26 inch geared mtn bike for about 3 years. Front and Rear derailleurs were starting to be worn down by all the winter commuting and accidental falls (trolley tracks a few times and an accident). Never moved it out of the one gear that could still be used. Figured I might as well just go SS/FG.

Bought a fixed gear mountain bike(Marin Hamilton 29er ) upon graduating college, never looking back(well I have a track bike too but I never use it). It's simple and light, but very durable (including the many options I have for tire sizes etc).

Last edited by sulr; 04-20-11 at 12:19 PM.
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Old 04-20-11 | 01:40 PM
  #53  
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I hate replacing derailleurs. Used to race downhill. So many broken hangers and derailleurs...
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Old 04-20-11 | 01:43 PM
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because of nyc. like everything else
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Old 04-20-11 | 02:23 PM
  #55  
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Just smang it.
 
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From: Bellingham

Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye

I do it to impress people in hopes of being validated.
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Old 04-20-11 | 02:59 PM
  #56  
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From: PDX

Bikes: Mercier Kilo TT Stripper in RAW, Schwinn Madison 2008 Blue, Leader 725tr, Brassknuckle, Leader 722, Traitor Ruben

I started riding fixed because I was tired (no pun intended) of pedaling 3 times and coasting down a street... I am very glad I switched over to fixed, now that I have a geared bike I am more apt to shift so I am continually pedaling vs coasting...It just feels odd to coast.
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Old 04-20-11 | 03:12 PM
  #57  
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I removed the derrraileur on mi road bike, I had it free wheel for a while. Now I ride fixed!

Also, Is it only me or it feels like running with little gravity? I mean one pedal-strike 8-9 meter travel !! Winning!!
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Old 04-20-11 | 03:58 PM
  #58  
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From: Los Angeles

Bikes: POS 80's steel frame

I do it cuz it's totally zen bro. it's like I'm one with my bike, if I'm moving, my bike is moving. and since I have a superior sense of traction conditions I feel like I'm one with the road, or one with the world even.. It's totally sweet bro you wouldn't understand....
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Old 04-20-11 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by bbjones232
because of nyc. like everything else
fantastic
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Old 04-20-11 | 05:25 PM
  #60  
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From: BKNY
My freewheel hub broke and I felt like I was forced to ride fixed. Now I can't stop even though I think people saying that it's a better workout are buggin. I actually felt like it was less of a workout in the beginning because the pedals are automatically moving as the bike is motion.
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Old 04-20-11 | 06:11 PM
  #61  
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.
 
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From: Columbus

Bikes: Pegueot UO8, Tommaso Augusta

I do it because the scene is dying
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Old 04-20-11 | 06:16 PM
  #62  
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My name is Alex
 
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Originally Posted by gilmatic
My freewheel hub broke and I felt like I was forced to ride fixed. Now I can't stop even though I think people saying that it's a better workout are buggin. I actually felt like it was less of a workout in the beginning because the pedals are automatically moving as the bike is motion.
you have to think about the cardio work out when moving your legs soo much.
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Old 04-20-11 | 06:55 PM
  #63  
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From: Madison, WI

Bikes: Trek Madone, Araya commute

I rode BMX for a while. Then i had a friend who came back to MI after living in Florida for a couple years. He rolled up, (no joke) did a crazy leg over the handlebar skid in front of my apartment, then told me to ride the bike. I thought it was neat and built up a conversion.

After riding that for a bit, doing mucho research, I bought a nicer bike. Now, a full year later I have been car less commuting on my bike for 6 months, and will be starting at Trek in WI in a couple weeks.

It seriously changed my life for the better. Cycling, fixed gear included, is now a HUGE part in my life. Its great. I feel much better as a person.

.Chris
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Old 04-20-11 | 08:17 PM
  #64  
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From: austin, tx

Bikes: 2014 Trek 1.2

i had a road bike and so did my ex boy (a fellow BFSSFG-er) and he became obsessed with wanting to build up a fg. so i bought him an old bianchi frame that he built up as a conversion. i became really interested in the fg concept, found a really good deal on craigslist and started riding fixed. it's all i rode for about three weeks and then when i got back on my road bike, i had built up so much more endurance (austin is very hilly...).

that's why i started. i keep riding because it's fun.
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Old 04-20-11 | 11:42 PM
  #65  
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Just smang it.
 
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From: Bellingham

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Originally Posted by gilmatic
My freewheel hub broke and I felt like I was forced to ride fixed.
That's my true, non-sarcastic answer. My bike was all roadied out and the freewheel froze up. I'd wanted a fixie for a long time by then so I opted for the conversion.
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Old 04-20-11 | 11:55 PM
  #66  
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From: Humboldt County, CA
Lower Maintenance, the gears on my first conversion didn't work on the first place(before it was a conversion), I wanted to try something new, it's a better work out, and I know next time I jump on a road bike, it's going to be more in-tents than a camping trip!
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Old 04-21-11 | 04:46 AM
  #67  
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From: Portland, OR
Received a free crappy Schwinn Traveler, and was deep into Sheldon Brown's web site to soak up the knowledge. I already had a cargo bike and road bike, so it just made sense to make the conversion. I ride them all, and love them all. More tools in the shed for all occasions.

Go ride!
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Old 04-21-11 | 05:56 AM
  #68  
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From: East coast

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Originally Posted by xavier853
I do it because the scene is dying
check sig
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Old 04-21-11 | 02:03 PM
  #69  
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Old 04-21-11 | 02:31 PM
  #70  
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So tragically hip.
 
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From: MASHboro, NJ

Bikes: 2009 SE Premium Brew, 2001 GT Interceptor, 2010 Motobecane Fantom 29

I'm so tragically hip, I had to start riding fixed.

Really though, it's because my old bike crapped out and I wanted a road bike, but couldn't afford one. The Windsor GLOCKwork was cheap... and turned out to be a blast to ride. I almost regret selling it to buy the Brewtus.
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