Serious question: Why?
04-26-11 | 01:59 PM
#26
Gilmatic Cee Allah
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: BKNY
Haha I think he was being sarcastic. Basically a jab at hipsters.
And I think people who say that it's more "relaxing" are lying to themselves, especially if you're riding brakeless. I've been riding fixed for a while now and even after being used to riding it, I still know that I have to be a lot more careful than if I were to ride freewheel.
And I think people who say that it's more "relaxing" are lying to themselves, especially if you're riding brakeless. I've been riding fixed for a while now and even after being used to riding it, I still know that I have to be a lot more careful than if I were to ride freewheel.
04-26-11 | 02:26 PM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 8
I've never bought the mechanical simplicity argument.
Ever try to fix a rear flat on a fixie? have to carry around a 15mm wrench to unbolt the wheel, and go to the trouble of proprly tensioning the chain and holding the wheel straight when reinstalling...
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
Ever try to fix a rear flat on a fixie? have to carry around a 15mm wrench to unbolt the wheel, and go to the trouble of proprly tensioning the chain and holding the wheel straight when reinstalling...
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
04-26-11 | 02:34 PM
#29
I like the bike
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Bikes: '73 Schwinn Continental, Rebuilt Schwinn Le Tour FG/SS
Ever try to fix a rear flat on a fixie? have to carry around a 15mm wrench to unbolt the wheel, and go to the trouble of proprly tensioning the chain and holding the wheel straight when reinstalling...
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
04-26-11 | 03:32 PM
#30
Fueled by Tigers Blood
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Echo Park, California
Use the damn search function. This question is asked at least once a month and a whole lengthy discussion is started from it. People ride bikes because its fun. If you're never going to try riding one then don't worry about what were doing. Or try riding one and see if you can jive, cat.
Forgive me for thinking that perhaps rather then asking a question that has been answered numerous times you could read one of halfadozen other threads on the topic. I'm actually surprised there isn't a link to a thread "Why fixed/SS" in the Newbs guide. I suggest you use the same function if you don't like my posts. Unlike you I added some content to this thread rather then just taking a swing at another member.
Good for you. I found quite the opposite. Nothing was natural. After riding bikes for 50 years, and mostly road and mtn bikes as an adult. automated riding habits are a permanent part of your nervous system. Nearly everything on the fixed gear was counter-intuitive to me, and requires a lot of concentration to start, stop, and remember to not try to coast. I'm approaching it as a personal challenge to test my physical and mental learning abilities.
04-26-11 | 03:38 PM
#31
don't door me bro!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
04-27-11 | 12:42 AM
#36
Ths Hipstr Kills Masheenz
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 4
From: seattle
Bikes: tirove
04-27-11 | 04:36 AM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 135
Generally, people like their stuff to be maintenance free. Fixed gear bikes are about as low maintenance as it gets. Hence the penchant for fixie parts with cartridge bearings. Ride brakeless, and your wheels can get really out of true before you need to bother with them. Fixed is the lazy or inept mechanic's choice. Like you'd rather be riding or having an actual life, than hunker down with some tools and work on your bike.
04-27-11 | 05:48 AM
#39
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
04-27-11 | 06:03 AM
#40
NYC
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 115
I don't ride a fixie/single speed and don't plan on it. Yet over the past few years there's been this growing group of folks who love them. Here in Taiwan a good number of jr. high through college age kids ride them, ususally with the seat nose and track bars tipped way down and weird configurations of one or more plastic rear fenders attached to the seat post. And I've seen a few foreigners riding them as well, configured more like what I would expect to see in the States.
So the question: Why? What draws people to them?
(I promise I'm not a troll. I really want to know)
So the question: Why? What draws people to them?
(I promise I'm not a troll. I really want to know)
04-27-11 | 08:08 AM
#41
Your cog is slipping.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
04-27-11 | 11:49 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,059
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco, CA
My reasons:
Almost zero maintenance, few parts to steal, cheap (I don't have to worry about getting my $2k roadbike stolen if I want to go ride to bar/restaurant).
Almost zero maintenance, few parts to steal, cheap (I don't have to worry about getting my $2k roadbike stolen if I want to go ride to bar/restaurant).
04-27-11 | 12:44 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
for me, it's just more fun. constantly worrying about being in the best gear and having the best cadence is a distraction, and not having the ability to shift let's you be that much more aware of everything else. and simplicity does come into play. my winter bike this year was a ss and it was more manageable that way.
i have, however, not ridden my fixed in a couple weeks because of my knees. when i have some spare cash i'll get a much larger cog.
i have, however, not ridden my fixed in a couple weeks because of my knees. when i have some spare cash i'll get a much larger cog.
04-27-11 | 05:45 PM
#45
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Holly crap, I've never read anything so real on this forum!!!!! Thanks for the reality check. How refreshing! (I am NOT being sarcastic).
04-27-11 | 05:50 PM
#46
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
04-27-11 | 06:30 PM
#48
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 855
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
"I found it easier than freewheel single speeding as it makes your pedal stroke a perfect circle, rather than pushing not 100% consistent, like a freewheel, which makes it more efficient with your legs."
This for me is a huge reason. With a freewheel bike, the stroke isn't perfectly round. Ovalized chainrings (Biopace anyone?) such as Rotor as used by the Cervelo test team are all attempts to improve the efficiency of a freewheel pedal stroke. With a fixed gear, the feeling on the legs is different and the resistance the legs feel is more even I think.
This for me is a huge reason. With a freewheel bike, the stroke isn't perfectly round. Ovalized chainrings (Biopace anyone?) such as Rotor as used by the Cervelo test team are all attempts to improve the efficiency of a freewheel pedal stroke. With a fixed gear, the feeling on the legs is different and the resistance the legs feel is more even I think.
I've never bought the mechanical simplicity argument.
Ever try to fix a rear flat on a fixie? have to carry around a 15mm wrench to unbolt the wheel, and go to the trouble of proprly tensioning the chain and holding the wheel straight when reinstalling...
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
Ever try to fix a rear flat on a fixie? have to carry around a 15mm wrench to unbolt the wheel, and go to the trouble of proprly tensioning the chain and holding the wheel straight when reinstalling...
With multigearing, its just flip the quick release, wheel drops in or out no fuss.
Last edited by Yellowbeard; 04-27-11 at 06:34 PM.
04-27-11 | 06:58 PM
#50
Your cog is slipping.
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 26,053
Likes: 100
From: Beverly MA
Bikes: EAI Bareknuckle
Is this really so difficult?