Hi, this is my first post here so apologise for any breaches of netiquette. I'm the Chair of the cycle forum at the University where I work (In a hilly city in the North of England) and on our advice pages we had the following:

"If you've come up from the flatlands with your Mum or Dad's sturdy old shopping bike with three Sturmey-Archer gears, forget it! It won't get you anywhere in <<name of city>>. Get a modern bike with decent gears. Fixers are cool though -they don't have gears but they are light enough to get you up the hills."

Today we received a communication from the President of the University's Cycling Club. This says the following:

"Hello!

Just seen your 'Advice for Cyclists' post on this website.

I have major gripes with the statement 'Fixers are cool'- They are definitely not cool, and definitely not safe in a hilly city such as <<name of city>>. I feel it is ill to be advising new students/people to buy a 'fixie'- which geneally tend to have 1 or no brakes, and very small handlebars, not to mention the single fixed gear which is ok of flat but when the going gets steep downhill it's very easy to lose control, and also uphill isnt the best either!

I feel that the best bike for <<name of city>> is probably a mountain bike- you avoid problems with tramlines, generally have a wide spread of gears, and are available relatively inexpensively through charities based in <<name of city>>

If this could be amended I would be very pleased."

Any advice on how to respond to this? I don't ride fixed personally!

I like riding fixed, but if your area is hilly then gears may be a better idea. Depends on how strong your legs are.

I know you didn't mean to but I think you just open a nice big can of worms... welcome to bikeforums btw. I'm curious to see the responses myself.

Welcome to BF. It may be a good idea to also post such a topic in the General Cycling Discussion or Regional: UK forums.

I disagree. Where better to discuss the viability of FG bikes in hilly areas than in the SSFG forum ?

I realized I can at least put in .1 cent... don't reccomend coaster brakes if your area is actually hilly, hills are prone to overheating them and causing failure.

You can ride any bike in any city.

The very small handlebars bit cracks me up! I also think he's a bit out of line in telling you what you can and cannot deem "cool".

However, I do think I'd just add a parenthetical CYA phrase in there and revise it to something like this:

That is all that's needed to allay any public safety concerns, the rest should be none of the school's business.

EDIT: (Oops, that was a note from the president of the cycling club, not the school itself. Nevertheless I'd say he's still a tad out of line. He's got a limited view of fixed gear also, you can rig up some fixed bikes with fat tires if you want. He's right about the economics, though, those olde MTBs usually go for cheap)

Oops, I worded that badly and accidentally left out the word also. Edited. At any rate, I'm fully expecting this thread to turn into a **** show.

Not all fixed gear bikes are lightweight and most stock bikes come with gearing which is terrible for hills. Has the President of the Cycling Club ever ridden fixed or is he just making claims based on unfounded thoughts?

If you know what you're doing fixed can be safer on hills. Regulation of speed and all that. Just make sure you're not advocating **** like Massan does in his videos. Downhill, high gearing, no helmet, no brakes, no common sense.

The guy has a point. He has a lot of practical info about availability, tramlines and topography.

And "mom and dad's 3speed" would probably do just as well up a hill as a hipster fixie= they would both suck.

In general, the most practical bike recommendation would be an urban/hybrid with gears and two brakes. Cost, availability and safety. This advice will work for 100% of the people that will ride bikes.

Alternatively, some may like to use fixed gear or singespeed bicycles, best suited to those that are familiar with their use and differences to geared bikes. You could do a short addenum regarding other types of bikes and their benefit here.

Its a college environment, right? Ask him for citations that support his argument.

Incorrect. I rode around Portland on a Raleigh Sports for about 5 years. It was way brutal compared to my SS. I reckon I could've gotten a different cog for it, but the bike would still outweigh my SS by 15 lbs. Harsh realm, brah.

I think the advice in the original advice pages is good in terms of advising students about the hilly terrain. Going beyond that and rejecting certain types of bikes and encouraging others, though, is a terrible idea. Your (or whoever wrote the advice) preference may be totally inappropriate to other people who come from different experience. And yes a bike with a Sturmey-Archer AW 3-speed might be much better for the hills, although it might make sense to put a larger cog on the rear hub.

I would say something like, "If you've come up from the flatlands, be advised that we are in a very hilly area. If you do not have a bike with a wide range of gears available, you may consider modifying your bike to provide lower gearing for climbing hills."

Of course one could also go with a Sturmey-Archer S3X and be both fixed and 3-speed simultaneously.

Since this is BF,



Kilo S3X. For your health.

LOL that's great!

GMJ,
That is really cool, love the 3spd fixie idea. That Mercier looks horrendous with all that cable- wish they just did a single down tube shifter boss. That and a single brake, it would look really slick.

I recommend the president to try an electric fixie like the I-Zip Via Mezza. What a game changer!

Have you asked him if he is drunkd on brandy and crumpets?
or
Have you presented the query of has he his belly full of the tastiest brandy, and a delightful crumpet flavor of the North?
(Please include the Oxford comma.)

Stock gearing on the Sports was pretty high for a bike that heavy: 46T or 48T up front, and 16T or 17T in back. 2nd gear being direct drive, 1st 75% and 3rd 133%. Swap out the rear cog for a 22T or 24T and you're golden. The Sports may be heavy, but the ride makes you feel like royalty.

I put the shifter on the stem. I spend most of the time on top of the bars anyway, and it results in minimal housing and cable friction.

In Sheffeld you should know a few things about local steel...
and its three speeds not fixed are you quizzing us? ...delete derogatory Scottish Remark...

https://www.shef.ac.uk/cycleforum/advice

Here is the complete list
read number two #2 45 degrees? REALLY!?

Advice for Cyclists
If you've come up from the flatlands with your Mum or Dad's sturdy old shopping bike with three Sturmey-Archer gears, forget it! It won't get you anywhere in Sheffield. Get a modern bike with decent gears. Fixers are cool though -they don't have gears but they are light enough to get you up the hills.
We recommend that you avoid the on-road tram routes. If you can't avoid them, take extreme care when crossing the tramlines especially if you are on a road bike with thin wheels. Tram stops are a particular problem - slow down or stop, check behind, signal to on-coming traffic that you are going to move out, and cross the tracks at an angle of at least 45 degrees . WARNING - tram tracks can be, and have been, lethal. Only folding bikes may be taken on the tram. You cannot use the tram lanes in the high street , and in any case it is dangerous to do so.
Read and follow the Highway Code. Understanding the rules of the road, for drivers as well as cyclists, will make you a better and safer cyclist.
Do not cycle on pavements and pedestrian areas except where these are clearly marked as shared use, in which case you should always give way to pedestrians. Cyclists are allowed to ride on the University Concourse. Please show particular consideration to other users in this area.
We recommend you use the signposted routes which are part of Sheffield's developing Strategic Cycle Network, rather than busy major routes. These tend to have less motor traffic and often have dedicated cycle through-routes not available to motor traffic, and can be faster and safer. (The route between the University and the Station, via Division St and the Town Hall, and the alternative route alongside the Ring Road can be particularly useful when open)

However, you DO NOT HAVE TO USE THEM. There is no such thing as a mandatory cycle lane in the U.K. The design speed of cycle tracks is 30k.p.h. (18mph) - if you are travelling faster than that you should be on the road for your own safety and that of others.

You can use all bus lanes in Sheffield.
ALWAYS stop at red traffic lights. Use "Toucan" crossings with green cycle lights where they exist. Always stop at Zebra crossings if there is someone waiting to cross, as long as it is safe to do so.
Always pass slow moving traffic with care. It is safer to overtake on the offside, where drivers are expecting to see overtaking traffic. If there is a marked cycle lane in the nearside it's OK to use it with care to get past traffic - but beware of left-turning traffic, and see (6) below.
In Bus Lanes and on-road cycle lanes , beware of on-coming traffic turning right. This is a common cause of accidents, where a driver travelling in your direction has stopped to let a car turn right unaware that there is a cyclist approaching on the nearside.
Cycle at least one metre from the kerb. This is safer because (i) you will avoid potholes, drains, broken glass etc which can cause accidents (ii) Drivers will have to make a correct manoeuvre to pass you, rather than attempting to squeeze past in a dangerous fashion.
Don't "slipstream" other cyclists without their consent - keep a safe distance.
If approaching horse riders from behind, always give a warning.
Do not lock your bike to railings on campus. They may be removed in which case you will have to pay a fine. There should be proper cycle parking facilities near your building, if there isn't notify Estates.
Do not bring cycles into University Buildings. Sorry, but it contravenes safety regulations. If it's any consolation, drivers aren't allowed to bring their cars into University buildings either! (see 7. above)
Carry any luggage - books etc , in proper carriers. Never dangle plastic bags or other items from your handlebars.
You don't have to wear a helmet, but you may be safer if you do.
Use reflective clothing and lights at night. (Flashing LED's attached to your bike are now legal)
Inside the Campus, report problems to the Estates helpline via your departmental representative. Outside the Campus, report potholes, missing or damaged bike route signs, etc to the ActionLine: 0114 2734567. Report motorists who behave illegally - e.g. are illegally parked in cycle lanes - to the Police: 0114 2202020. If your bike is stolen or vandalised on University Property, contact Security Control (24085) and the Police.
Never cycle when under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
When passing parked cars, ensure you leave sufficient room and look out for people opening their doors without looking. It is better to hold up traffic behind you than risk a serious injury. Check in rear view mirrors - if you can see someone in the car, beware!
Heading for the Peak? Take your bike on the train to the Hope Valley, no pre-booking required. You can also make a bike reservation at the "tickets for today" counter at the Station. You can take your bike free on all Northern Rail trains - subject to space - you need a (free) reservation for East Midland, and other Express services. Cross-Country Trains have one non-reservable and two reservable spaces on each train (more if the train units are doubled up)

You can book your bike on-line through the National Express East Coast or Southern Railway websites.
Join your local cycling campaign and campaign for better conditions for cyclists! In Sheffield it's CycleSheffield.

Studded tyres (tires) are available in england https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-sno...igid-mtb-tyre/

Tell him he's a gob****e and a fanny then tell him fixie's are just the dog's bollocks.

Seriously though the UK isn't quite as litigious as the US but it is a Nanny State which means I am sure that the brown shirts ^H^H^H^H^H er ah I mean well intentioned thoughtful and forward thinking folks from Health and Safety will be contacting you with a polite "request" to change things up to fit with "proper" rules. Point being you might want to modify your wording to state that a fixie would work if the rider was comfortable and experienced with hills but if not then consider <insert types of bikes here>.