Why ride fixed gear?

I ask because the thing that attracted me to fixed gear so much was the efficiency, you're getting power throughout the entire stroke, as apposed to just on the downstroke. I'm not trash talking, I'm curious, what's your reasoning?

Typically it's frowned upon to not have any foot retention, especially if they are brakeless.

I would hope so, dangerous, and horribly inefficient. Again I'm not trying to put anybody down, but I can't see any reason not to.

Fixed gear will be marginally more efficient as a result of not having power losses in the derailleur pulleys and by letting the bike be a little lighter. But there's nothing magic about fixed that lets you apply power through more of the crank cycle.

But I agree that riding fixed without foot retention is not recommended. The chance of having a crash as a result of losing contact with a pedal is greater on a fixed gear bike.

Some fixed riders are in it for the "less is more" deal. I reckon retention-less fixed riders see the lack of retention as one bit "less".

I wouldn't worry about why they do it that much though.

Might take a little while to get someone who rides retentionless to respond here...

Having your foot locked in means you can pull on the upstroke... That's what I was taught riding my mountain bike with clipless.

Not so. If anything, fixed gear encourages a worse pedal stroke if you don't try.

it's fun for a slow bike

I didn't phrase that well, I meant fixed gear with foot retention would have power throughout the stroke.

And fair enough on your answer.

As I see it, people who ride without straps/clips/clipless see the system as being uncomfortable and an inconvenience. "I have to take my foot out every time I stop and clip/slip back in when I start moving again? LOL fukdat". There's also a stigma and fear in that the event of a crash, the system will take out down with the bike.

They also probably don't understand or value the concept of power by pulling up because they learned (and are used to) how to ride a bike without foot retention.

I have a friend who had those crappy/flimsy/stock nylon clips and straps on his bike. On the few occasions I rode with him, I would notice that he never used them (probably in part because those things are near impossible to slip into). I hinted at him a couple times that he should try out some better quality foot retention. Eventually though, he just took them off completely. I didn't want to be that guy that tells you what you should and shouldn't do to your bike, so I let him be. He has front and rear brakes and doesn't ride wreaklessly, so it's not the worst.

only if you actively pedal all the way around. No one really does that though. There are dead spots but you learn to unweigh your feet and keep moving smoothly

One leg drills are the key to even making an attempt at applying power all the way 'round.

I have 105 clipless pedals on my FG but if I'm just riding with my kids to school or practice, I'll typically just wear running or indoor soccer shoes. I have brakes, we never break 12mph, and the soles are grippy enough to stay on the pedals. I can even pedal brake. But it is true that I would never go for a long, fast ride in heavy traffic or on a hilly route without foot retention.

Yeah, they really expose your dead spots.

You should just ride Power Cranks if you're keen on power all the way around

There we go guys, those are the answers I was looking for! Thanks for the information, I'm new yes but I'm really into bikes, always have loved anything with two wheels, so I'm definitely into learning as much as I can. Keep em' comin!

I ride my commuter bike without foot retention. It has big pedals with lots of grip, 2 very good brakes, and it's 65 gear inches. It's just easier than having to adjust straps daily to fit what pair of shoes or boots I may be wearing.

I find its really hard to ride a bike without foot retention now, after only having done so for many years. Especially after FG. I find myself lifting my foot off the pedal on the upstroke. its annoying.

Without retention, i always feel like im gonna slip off the pedals, and crush my balls with every bump... maybe just me though

^Same here, there are some crappy streets around. I don't want my feet flying off and possibly end up losing control, especially going at higher rates of speed. So straps for me it is.

Precisely what happens with me. I ride both gears and fixed gear. Clipless. Whenever I have tried riding a bike with platform pedals, within 100 m or starting, I have ended up lifting one foot off the pedal. Very unnerving in traffic.

Ok, these are some of the answers I was expecting. Personally I'll be riding with straps.

I don't use foot retention. I've got a brake. I don't slip off the pedals no matter what speed I'm going. I don't skid. I start in traffic while you are busy trying to click in or having your cage on the wrong side while you are awkwardly trying to flip your pedal. My shoes are my work shoes. I can go get on my bike now.

If you slip off the pedals, you've forgotten how to pedal without foot retention. Yawn, on the pull up/power all the way through. Like hairnet said "unweigh your feet and keep moving smoothly" and this can be done without retention.

Simplicity.

Clipless is where I want to go when the weather gets better. After reading this, I am definitely considering it more.

I got into fixed at 36 years old in order to combine two phenomena:

1. Dress like a gay superhero.
2. Skid like a 10 year old.

Are you guys saying that I don't need special shoes to skid like a 10 year-old gay superhero?

I'm sorry, but that ^ was ****ing hilarious.

+1
My were lifting off the pedals the first time I went back to platforms and it only took a few minutes of riding to get used to it again. Ever since then my feet lifting has not been an issue any time I ride a bike with platforms.

I do this too sometimes, it is a little uncomfortable but works. It honestly takes at most 30 minutes to get acquainted with platforms and you won't ever think about it again