Why fg/ss?
11-01-11 | 11:24 PM
#27
In vitro cyclist
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: SOKY, Middle TN
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Allez Comp Double, 2011 Mercier Kilo Stripper
I love my road bike too much to ever leave it locked up out of sight. Anywhere.
I figured the fixed gear would be fun, cheap, and teach good habits to carry over to the geared bike.
After riding the fg around all week I find that I coast much less and have a smoother pedal stroke on my road bike.
I figured the fixed gear would be fun, cheap, and teach good habits to carry over to the geared bike.
After riding the fg around all week I find that I coast much less and have a smoother pedal stroke on my road bike.
11-02-11 | 04:30 AM
#29
Would you just look at it
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 5
From: Denver
Bikes: good ones.
1. I get places quicker. I didn't realize how much I coasted until I saw how much faster I am when I can't.
2. It's fun.
3. I can easily service just about everything on my bike. I'm sure gears aren't that bad if you know what you're doing, but I like simple.
4. I am in great shape, mostly because of my bike. Genetics would ass**** me if I didn't ride.
5. The challenge. Conquering the apex of a beast hill feels good.
I love my bike.
2. It's fun.
3. I can easily service just about everything on my bike. I'm sure gears aren't that bad if you know what you're doing, but I like simple.
4. I am in great shape, mostly because of my bike. Genetics would ass**** me if I didn't ride.
5. The challenge. Conquering the apex of a beast hill feels good.
I love my bike.
11-02-11 | 07:49 AM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,552
Likes: 135
Because FG is different. Like getting on a snowboard after you've only been skiing for a while. Makes you do you regular rides with a new approach.
And when you try to describe it to non-biking people, when you point out that there's no freewheeling, they can't quite comprehend, get quizzical looks on their faces, and usually ultimately think it way dangerous and that you are likely insane. Like telling someone you ride rollers.
I don't buy into the whole fixie zen BS -- you can get that out of a geared bike, you just gotta put more effort into it if your zen includes personally keeping things working top-notch. For them who are into mechanical systems, derailleur drivetrain, knowing how to tune it, maintain it, shift properly, etc. is just as zen, if not more, than fixed riding.
Sweet drivetrain! Is there more than one cog out back, to match the douple chainring up front...?
And when you try to describe it to non-biking people, when you point out that there's no freewheeling, they can't quite comprehend, get quizzical looks on their faces, and usually ultimately think it way dangerous and that you are likely insane. Like telling someone you ride rollers.
I don't buy into the whole fixie zen BS -- you can get that out of a geared bike, you just gotta put more effort into it if your zen includes personally keeping things working top-notch. For them who are into mechanical systems, derailleur drivetrain, knowing how to tune it, maintain it, shift properly, etc. is just as zen, if not more, than fixed riding.
Sweet drivetrain! Is there more than one cog out back, to match the douple chainring up front...?
11-02-11 | 08:59 AM
#38
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Meh. It's something different.
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11-02-11 | 11:36 AM
#39
Makin it Trizzle
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
A lot of my friends in college started building fixed gears. It became kind of a cool group thing. I didn't even realize it was a widespread thing because I just kind of took tips from them.
They're easy to build, cost effective, fun, carry swag points, are always a good talking point (especially with non cyclists), and sweet skidzz are always sweet.
They're easy to build, cost effective, fun, carry swag points, are always a good talking point (especially with non cyclists), and sweet skidzz are always sweet.
11-02-11 | 12:45 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
11-02-11 | 01:06 PM
#43
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,318
Likes: 5,226
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
11-02-11 | 05:58 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Seattle; Austin
Bikes: Surly Steamroller
In high school I really wanted to build myself a bike and I didn't have a ton of money so acquiring a single speed freewheel from a friend was a lot easier than finding a set of derailleurs that worked on my budget. One day I went to the co-op and decided to ghetto rig a fixed cog on my wheel and never looked back. Sure I crashed a ton on that junky conversion and now I'm on a much better bike, but I've always enjoyed fixed. I feel really in control of the bike. Also, sqrls
11-02-11 | 08:06 PM
#46
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Santa Cruz, California
Bikes: Surly Steamroller, Fuji Cross, Scwhinn S96
11-02-11 | 08:26 PM
#47
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,246
Likes: 6,056
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
11-02-11 | 08:27 PM
#48
Not actually Tmonk
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,246
Likes: 6,056
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
11-03-11 | 06:07 PM
#49
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
fixed is fun, but gets you very sweaty and all which is awkward when you're riding your bike to a girls house.
geared kinda takes the challenge out of riding because you'll always switch gears when climbing because you actually have gears which takes the challenge away, but it is awesome for long rides... and SS is a blend which i prefer; i get to coast and pace myself when I start to feel the sweat coming and also get somewhat of a challange. I use fixed for all my climbing workouts though, helps me from taking a coasting break.
geared kinda takes the challenge out of riding because you'll always switch gears when climbing because you actually have gears which takes the challenge away, but it is awesome for long rides... and SS is a blend which i prefer; i get to coast and pace myself when I start to feel the sweat coming and also get somewhat of a challange. I use fixed for all my climbing workouts though, helps me from taking a coasting break.
